Selecting Tabs in Dialog Boxes

Summary: A Windows tip to assist with Excel tab access. (This tip works with Microsoft Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, and Excel 2003.)

This definitely isn't an Excel-only tip, but it can come in handy if you simply don't want to remove your hands from the keyboard. Many of the dialog boxes used in Excel (and other Windows programs) utilize the concept of tabs. These look like index cards within the dialog box, and are used to organize what could otherwise be a very cluttered presentation of information.

If you want to move from one tab to another, the typical way of doing this is by using the mouse. You can, instead, use the keyboard. To move forward through the available tabs, simply press Ctrl+Tab. To move backwards, use Shift+Ctrl+Tab.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (1989) applies to Microsoft Excel versions: 97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003

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Selecting Tabs in Dialog Boxes