Formulas · original practice scenario
Accept the highlighted formula autocomplete item
A1:A3 contains amounts and B1 is the total cell.
Start here: Windows formula entry with an active autocomplete suggestion list
With no suggestion list active, Tab can commit an entry and move to another cell.
Follow these instructions in your own desktop Excel workbook. This page explains the operation; it does not send commands to Excel.
Windows keys and context
Use arrow keys to highlight the intended suggestion, then Tab to insert it.
Tab
Navigate the Formula AutoComplete drop-down list / Insert an item. Microsoft reference ↗
Walk through the operation
- In B1 type =SU to show suggestions.
- Highlight SUM, then press Tab.
- Complete the argument A1:A3, close the parenthesis and commit the formula.
Instruction 1 of 3: In B1 type =SU to show suggestions.
Expected result: Tab inserts the selected function name and opening parenthesis; the completed formula is =SUM(A1:A3).
Recall the keys
Which listed Windows combination or sequence starts this operation in the context above?
Related walkthroughs
- Evaluate a selected formula fragment
- Inspect names in Name Manager
- Focus the Name Box without changing the selection
Catalog updated 2026-10-18. US keyboard notation: + joins held keys; commas separate successive presses. Function keys may require Fn. Desktop instructions are separate from this browser's own keyboard shortcuts.