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Keyboard shortcuts for QuickBooks

by Intuit•3• Updated about 23 hours ago

Note: This article is for customers using QuickBooks Online (Advanced, Essentials, Plus, and Simple Start) and QuickBooks Sole Trader.

Using keyboard shortcuts to speed up navigation within QuickBooks is easy. These shortcuts will work in the following browsers:

  • Internet Explorer
  • Firefox
  • Chrome (except where noted)
Note: Mac users can try these shortcuts using the CMD ⌘ key instead of Alt or CTRL when noted below.

Keyboard shortcuts reference guide: Download or Access from within QuickBooks. You can download and print a copy of the QuickBooks Keyboard Shortcuts reference guide. QuickBooks Keyboard Shortcuts for PC and Mac Users.

Note: This reference guide is available in English only.

You can access the quick reference guide within QuickBooks: To access this screen, simply hold Control + Option (Alt) + ? (for Mac).

Keyboard shortcuts available in QuickBooks

  • For Internet Explorer: Press Ctrl + N. (Note: You will be signed in to the existing company on both windows.)
  • For Firefox: Press Ctrl + N. (Note: You won't be signed in to the second window but will remain signed in to the first one. The second window will allow you to log in to the existing company so that you may work using both screens.)
  • For Chrome: Press Ctrl + N. (Note: If you go to QuickBooks in that window you will be signed in to the existing company.)
  • CTRL + F (works in Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome, and Internet Explorer) will bring up a pop-up window to do the search.
  • Firefox opens a Find toolbar on the bottom of your screen.
  • Chrome opens a search field at the top right of the screen.
  • Next day + (plus key)
  • Previous day - (minus key)
  • Today T
  • First day of the Week W
  • Last day of the week K
  • First day of the Month M
  • Last day of the month H
  • First day of the Year Y
  • Last day of the year R
  • Press Alt+down arrow to open the pop-up calendar icon to the right of a date field.
  • In any Amount or Rate field, enter a calculation. When you press Tab, QuickBooks calculates the result.
  • Add + 1256.94+356.50
  • Subtract - 48.95-15
  • Multiply * 108*1.085
  • Divide / 89.95/.33
  • Group ( ) 13.95+(25.95*.75)
  • Use the Tab key to go forward.
  • Use Shift+Tab to go back.
  • Use the Space Bar to check a check box field.
  • Press Tab until you reach the field.
  • Press Alt + down arrow to open the list.
  • Press up arrow or down arrow to move through the items in the list.
  • Press Tab to select the item you want and move to the next field.
  • If you don’t want to open the whole list, but just want to scroll through the items in the text box, press Ctrl + down arrow or Ctrl + up arrow.
  1. Type the first few characters of the parent item until it is selected.
    • To jump to the list of sub-items, type the first few characters of the sub-item until it is selected.
    • Press Alt + down arrow to open the list of sub items, and then press down arrow or up arrow to scroll through the sub-items
  2. Press Tab to select the item you want and move to the next field.
  • From any form, press Alt + S instead of clicking Save.
  • In Firefox and Chrome, you must use Alt + Shift + S. For Mac users it is Option + Control + S.

Hold down the Alt key. If the button names have underlined letters, you can keep the Alt key held down and type the letter to select the button you want.

  • Press + to increase the Ref #.
  • Press - to decrease the Ref #.
  • Type T to enter To Print in the Ref # field for a Cheque, Bill Payment (from a current account), or Payroll payment.

Note: The Ref # field isn't available in QuickBooks Sole Trader.

  • Press Alt + S to save. Alt + Shift + S (for Firefox and Chrome).
  • Press Alt + E to edit a saved transaction. This opens the transaction form.
  • Press up arrow to select the transaction above.
  • Press down arrow to select the transaction below.

Note: This feature is not available in QuickBooks Sole Trader.

  • Select the Vertical or Horizontal field, and then press "+" to raise the number or "-" to lower it.
  • You must use the keys on the numeric keypad.
  • In a new, yellow transaction row, press Shift + Tab to select the transaction type field.
  • Press Alt + down arrow to open the list.
  • Press up arrow or down arrow to move through the list, or type the first letter of the transaction type you want. If there are two transaction types that begin with the same letter, type the letter twice to select the second one. For example, type C once to select Cheque, and type C the second time to select Cash Purchase.
  • Press Tab to select the transaction type and to move to the next field. Once you are familiar with the transaction types available, you can tab to the field and type the first letter without opening the list.

Note: Account history is not available in QuickBooks Sole Trader.

In the Journal Entry screen, press up arrow to move to the distribution line above and down arrow to move to the one below.

Note: This feature is not available in QuickBooks Sole Trader.

That's it. You now know the keyboard shortcuts available in QuickBooks.

QuickBooks Online EssentialsQuickBooks Online PlusQuickBooks Online Simple Start

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