How can I change the focus in Excel to the formula bar via the keyboard?

Question

I like to avoid using my mouse as much as possible, but on occasions when I need to type directly into the formula bar I am currently forced to 'rattle the rodent'. Does anyone know a way to move focus from the worksheet cells into the formula bar with a keystroke combination?

Answer 1

F2 is the shortcut for editing. There is an option to 'edit in cell' that must be deselected in order to edit in the formula bar.

Depending on your version of XL:

File > Options > Advanced, in the 'Editing options' section, uncheck 'Allow editing directly in cells'

Tools > Options > Edit tab, uncheck 'Edit directly in cell'

With these check boxes unchecked, you can now use F2 to move focus to the formula bar.

Note: The cursor will be positioned at the end of the cell contents. If the contents contain multiple lines, you will have to expand the formula bar area using the arrow at the far right.