Evaluate part of a formula in Excel

Evaluate part of a formula in Excel: F2, select the part, F9, Esc (Mac: Fn+F9, Esc)

Windows	`F2, select the part, F9, Esc`
Mac	`Fn+F9, Esc`
Group	formula

Practice this shortcut

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What it does and when to use it

In edit mode, select any part of a formula and press F9 to replace it with its value. It shows what a nested piece returns without breaking the formula apart. Esc puts the formula back; Enter would keep the number.

The common mistake

Pressing Enter after F9 and hard-coding the value into the formula. Always Esc.

Related shortcuts

Enter one formula into many cells Select, type, Ctrl+Enter
Total a whole block at once Select the block plus a blank row and column, Alt+=
Show formulas instead of values Ctrl+`
Create names from labels Select labels and values, Ctrl+Shift+F3, Enter
Insert a function by name Shift+F3, type the name, Enter
The printable cheat sheet

Questions

How do I debug a long formula?

F2, select the innermost function, F9 to see its result, Esc. Work outwards. Formulas, Evaluate Formula does the same step by step.

Learn it by pressing it

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