Quick access to Excel formula bar via keyboard

When entering formulas, you select a cell and start typing. To edit an existing formula, you probably make changes in the Formula bar. Recently, I noticed several Excel students reaching for the mouse and clicking the Formula bar to edit formulas. That method’s Okay, but some people find it easier to work from the keyboard as much as possible. If that describes you, press [F2] instead of reaching for the mouse the next time you want to edit an existing formula.To me, it hardly seemed worth mentioning. Admittedly, substituting a single keystroke for a mouse click doesn’t seem like a big deal, unless you prefer the keyboard (at least most of the time). The keyboard approach isn’t more efficient, it’s just different.

If pressing [F2] positions the cursor in the cell instead of the Formula bar, do the following:

1. From the Tools menu, choose Options.
2. Click the Edit tab.
3. Uncheck the Edit Directly In Cell option in the Settings area.
4. Click OK.

If you’re using Excel 2007, do the following:

1. Click the Office button and then click Excel Options (at the bottom right).
2. Select Advanced in the left pane.
3. Uncheck the Allow Editing Directly In Cell option.
4. Click OK.