[Excel Shortcut] No Cell Fill – Pro Tip (Windows & Mac)

Written by Kasper Langmann

Mastering Excel shortcuts can significantly enhance your productivity, especially when working with large datasets. One such shortcut is the ‘No Cell Fill’ command, which allows you to quickly remove the fill color from selected cells. This guide will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of this shortcut, including its functionality, use cases, and step-by-step instructions on how to use it on both Windows and Mac systems.

Understanding the ‘No Cell Fill’ Shortcut

The ‘No Cell Fill’ shortcut is a command in Excel that allows you to remove the fill color from selected cells. This is particularly useful when you want to clear out any color formatting in your spreadsheet without affecting the data contained within the cells.

Excel provides a range of formatting options to enhance the visual appeal of your data. Fill color is one such option that can be used to highlight important data points, differentiate between different types of data, or simply to make your spreadsheet more aesthetically pleasing. However, there may be instances where you want to remove this color formatting, and that’s where the ‘No Cell Fill’ shortcut comes in handy.

By using this shortcut, you can quickly and efficiently clear the fill color from one or multiple cells, a specific range, or even an entire worksheet. This can save you a significant amount of time, especially when working with large datasets.

How to Use the ‘No Cell Fill’ Shortcut

On Windows

On a Windows system, the ‘No Cell Fill’ shortcut is executed using a combination of keys. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

  1. Select the cells from which you want to remove the fill color. You can do this by clicking and dragging your mouse across the cells.
  2. Once the cells are selected, press the ‘Alt’ key on your keyboard.
  3. While holding down the ‘Alt’ key, press the ‘H’ key.
  4. Without releasing the ‘Alt’ key, press the ‘H’ key again.
  5. Finally, press the ‘N’ key. This will remove the fill color from the selected cells.

Remember, the keys need to be pressed in the order mentioned above. Also, make sure to hold down the ‘Alt’ key while pressing the other keys.

On Mac

For Mac users, the process is slightly different. Here’s how you can use the ‘No Cell Fill’ shortcut on a Mac:

  1. Select the cells from which you want to remove the fill color.
  2. Press the ‘Command’ key on your keyboard.
  3. While holding down the ‘Command’ key, press the ‘Shift’ key.
  4. Without releasing the ‘Command’ key, press the ‘Z’ key.
  5. Finally, press the ‘N’ key. This will remove the fill color from the selected cells.

As with the Windows shortcut, make sure to press the keys in the correct order and to hold down the ‘Command’ key while pressing the other keys.

Use Cases for the ‘No Cell Fill’ Shortcut

The ‘No Cell Fill’ shortcut can be used in a variety of scenarios. For instance, if you’ve inherited a spreadsheet from a colleague that’s filled with color formatting that you find distracting, you can quickly remove it using this shortcut. This can also be useful when you’re preparing a spreadsheet for a presentation and want to ensure a clean, professional look.

Another common use case is when you’re analyzing data and have used color formatting to highlight specific data points. Once you’ve finished your analysis, you may want to remove the color formatting to return the spreadsheet to its original state. The ‘No Cell Fill’ shortcut allows you to do this quickly and efficiently.

Finally, this shortcut can be a lifesaver when you’re working with large datasets. Manually removing fill color from hundreds or thousands of cells can be a tedious and time-consuming task. With the ‘No Cell Fill’ shortcut, you can accomplish this in a matter of seconds.

Conclusion

Mastering Excel shortcuts like the ‘No Cell Fill’ command can significantly enhance your productivity and efficiency when working with spreadsheets. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced Excel user, understanding and utilizing this shortcut can save you a significant amount of time and effort.

Remember, the key to mastering Excel shortcuts is practice. So, the next time you’re working on a spreadsheet, try using the ‘No Cell Fill’ shortcut. With time, it will become second nature, and you’ll find yourself working more efficiently than ever before.