The new sheet in excel shortcut is Shift + F11. It adds a blank worksheet to the left of the current one and switches to it straight away. Alt + Shift + F1 does exactly the same, which helps on laptops where F11 is hard to reach.
If you need a whole new Excel file rather than another sheet, press Ctrl + N to open a new workbook. Where the F-row doubles as volume and brightness, the sheet shortcut is usually Fn + Shift + F11.
Quick facts
New sheet
Shift + F11Alternative
Alt + Shift + F1Laptop
Fn + Shift + F11New workbook
Ctrl + NRename it
Alt, then H, then O, then RNext sheet
Ctrl + PgDn
New sheet in Excel shortcut keys
| Action | Keys |
|---|---|
| Insert a new worksheet | Shift + F11 |
| Same, without F11 | Alt + Shift + F1 |
| Insert through the ribbon | Alt, then H, then I, then S |
| New blank workbook | Ctrl + N |
| Copy the current sheet | Ctrl drag the sheet tab |
Shortcut to add new sheet in Excel, step by step
- Click the sheet that should come after the new one.
- Press Shift + F11. A sheet named Sheet2, Sheet3 or similar appears to its left.
- Rename it with Alt, H, O, R, type the name and press Enter.
- Drag the tab if you want it in another position.
Each press adds one more sheet. For 12 monthly sheets, press the shortcut repeatedly, then rename them with the rename sheet shortcut.
Copy a sheet instead of starting blank
When every month uses the same layout, copying is better than a blank sheet. Hold Ctrl and drag the sheet tab sideways; a copy appears with (2) in its name. From the keyboard, press Alt, H, O, M to open Move or Copy, tick Create a copy and press Enter.
New excel sheet shortcut on laptops
F11 often doubles as a volume or brightness key. If Shift + F11 changes the volume, either add Fn or use Alt + Shift + F1; F1 is sometimes safer because many laptops leave it as Help. How Fn lock changes this is covered on our function key page.
Organise a workbook with many sheets
Workbooks with many sheets become hard to use. Keep a Summary or Index sheet first, with links to the others: type a sheet name in a cell, press Ctrl + K, choose Place in This Document and pick the sheet. Colour code tabs by right clicking them and choosing Tab Color, for example green for months that are closed and red for ones still open. Delete old blank sheets, because colleagues waste time clicking through them.
When no sheet is added
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Volume changes instead | Press Fn + Shift + F11 or Alt + Shift + F1 |
| Insert greyed out | The workbook structure is protected; unprotect it under Review |
| A chart sheet appears | You pressed F11 alone, which creates a chart; delete it |
| Sheet added in the wrong place | Drag the tab to the right spot |
Frequently asked questions
What is the shortcut for a new sheet in Excel?
What is the new excel sheet shortcut on a laptop?
How do I create a new Excel workbook?
Press Ctrl + N.
Where does the new sheet appear?
To the left of the current sheet.
Why did F11 make a chart?
F11 alone creates a chart sheet. Add Shift for a worksheet.
Is the new sheet shortcut the same on Mac?
Yes, Shift + F11, often with Fn.