How do I toggle Edit/Enter mode in Excel 365 modular windows using keyboard shortcuts?

[Excel 365] Keyboard Shortcut to toggle Edit/Enter mode when editing in modular windows (Name Manager, Conditional Format. etc.)


`Ctrl+U` seems to work only when the cursor is in a cell on the sheet, and it doesn't seem to toggle the same way when we are trying to edit formula, in the modular window (like `Conditional Formatting`, `Name Manager`, `Data Validation` etc.) It stays "Enter Mode" regardless.


It is already pretty darn annoying to forget and then press directional keys and then irrelevant range starts getting input in the text field, (where it also starts moving the cell instead).


The workaround was to copy the formula elsewhere like Notes. It does easily lead to incorrect formula due unmatched parentheses/double quotes, incorrect syntax/argument.


[Edited by Moderator]

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 12.7

Posted on Apr 13, 2025 9:18 AM

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Apr 15, 2025 1:03 AM in response to SalsaSauce

Yeah, unfortunately there’s no dedicated shortcut to toggle Edit/Enter mode in Excel’s modular windows like Name Manager or Conditional Formatting. Those text fields stay in "Enter mode" by default, and arrow keys insert cell refs instead of navigating. Only workaround is using F2 in regular cells or editing in Notepad then pasting back—clunky, but safer for complex formulas.




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How do I toggle Edit/Enter mode in Excel 365 modular windows using keyboard shortcuts?

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