Mastering Excel border shortcuts is essential for creating clean, professional-grade financial models and data tables. While many users manually click the border icon, using ribbon sequences or direct hotkeys allows you to format entire datasets without ever touching the mouse.
This guide provides the specific shortcuts for the latest 2026 version of Excel on both Windows and macOS, distinguishing between “All Borders” (grid style) and “Outline Borders.”
1. The “All Borders” Sequence (Grid Style)
This sequence applies borders to all four sides of every cell in your selection, including the interior lines.
Windows: Alt → H → B → A macOS: Ctrl + Command + B (Newer versions) / Cmd + Option + 0 (Outline only)
Note for Windows: These are sequential presses, not simultaneous. Press Alt, then H (Home tab), then B (Borders menu), and finally A (All borders).
2. Outline and Remove Borders
If you only need a border around the exterior of your selection or need to clear existing formatting quickly, use these direct hotkeys.
- Apply Outline Border (Windows): Ctrl + Shift + &
- Apply Outline Border (macOS): Command + Option + 0
- Remove All Borders (Windows): Ctrl + Shift + _ (Underscore)
- Remove All Borders (macOS): Command + Option + _
3. Custom Border Styles (Format Cells)
For more granular control (changing line thickness, color, or specific sides like double-bottom borders), it is often faster to open the Format Cells dialog.
- Select your range and press Ctrl + 1 (Windows) or Command + 1 (Mac).
- Press the Right Arrow until the Border tab is selected.
- Use Alt + [Letter] (on Windows) to select specific border sides (e.g., Alt + T for Top, Alt + B for Bottom).
Technical Summary
- Alt + H, B, A: Applies borders to all sides of every selected cell.
- Alt + H, B, S: Applies an Outside Border only.
- Alt + H, B, T: Applies a Thick Outside Border.
- Alt + H, B, D: Applies a Double Bottom Border (ideal for totals).
Professional Tip: The “F4” Power Move
Once you have applied a specific border style manually once, you can select any other range and simply press F4 (Windows) or Command + Y (Mac). This repeats your last formatting action instantly, making it the fastest way to apply consistent borders across multiple non-adjacent tables.