Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated March 31, 2018)
This tip applies to Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
One of the interesting shortcut keys in Excel is the one that allows you to change the point size of the selected cells. The shortcut key is Ctrl+Shift+P, but exactly how the shortcut functions depends on what you have displayed on the screen.
This may sound odd, but you can try it out. If you have the Formatting toolbar displayed (as most people do), then pressing Ctrl+Shift+P selects the Font Size control on the toolbar. You can then type the font size you want to use and press Enter. (Pretty handy if you don't want to take your hands off the keyboard.)
If you don't have the Formatting toolbar displayed for some reason, then it seems obvious that the Font Size control can't be selected—it isn't even visible. Instead, pressing Ctrl+Shift+P results in the Font tab of the Format Cells dialog box being displayed.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (3373) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.
Solve Real Business Problems Master business modeling and analysis techniques with Excel and transform data into bottom-line results. This hands-on, scenario-focused guide shows you how to use the latest Excel tools to integrate data from multiple tables. Check out Microsoft Excel Data Analysis and Business Modeling today!
Need to replace the formats applied to some cells with a different format? Those using Excel 2003 will find it easy; ...
Discover MoreExcel allows you to adjust spacing between cell walls and the contents of those cells. It does not, however, allow you to ...
Discover MoreExcel is continually trying to figure out what type of data is being stored in a cell. If it can interpret a value as a ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2018-10-02 12:08:00
Ed Sproull
For me (Office 365, MSO (16.0.10730.20102 32 bit) CTRL-SHIFT-P opens the font dialog and then ALT-S selects the font size drop down. I then use the up and down arrow to select the size I want and ENTER to finish.
Got a version of Excel that uses the menu interface (Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, or Excel 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2026 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments