How do I paste a formula without the formatting in Google Sheets?

Natively you must use Edit > Paste special > Formula only with the mouse — there is no keyboard shortcut. With XLKeys installed you can press the Excel sequence Alt E S F instead and never leave the keyboard.

Why does Alt E S F not work in Google Sheets?

Alt E S F is a legacy Excel menu accelerator (Edit > Paste Special > Formulas). Google Sheets has no Alt-key menu system, so the sequence does nothing until you add it with the XLKeys Chrome extension.

Do cell references still adjust when I paste formulas only?

Yes. Relative references shift with the destination exactly like a normal paste — paste formulas only changes what comes along (no formatting), not how references behave. Use $ anchors when you need a reference locked.

Is the Alt E S F shortcut free in XLKeys?

Paste formulas is part of the XLKeys Paste Special suite (Alt E S), an XLKeys Pro feature. Pro comes with a 30-day free trial — no credit card required.

All shortcuts

Paste Formulas in Google Sheets

Pro

Windows

Alt→E→S→F

Mac

Option→E→S→F

Extending a formula into a formatted schedule is a classic modeling chore: a regular Ctrl + V drags the source cell’s colors, borders, and number format along with it, wrecking the destination. Google Sheets has the fix — Formula only under Edit > Paste special — but it’s a mouse trip through the menu every time.

In Excel that job is Alt E S F. XLKeys makes the same sequence work in Google Sheets: copy the formula, press Alt, then E, S, F, and only the formula pastes — the destination keeps its own formatting, and relative references adjust just like a normal paste.

Excel vs. Google Sheets vs. XLKeys

Where	Shortcut
Excel	`Alt`→`E`→`S`→`F`
Google Sheets (native)	No keyboard shortcut
Google Sheets + XLKeys	`Alt`→`E`→`S`→`F`

Google Sheets can paste formula only via Edit > Paste special > Formula only with the mouse — there is no native keyboard shortcut.

How to use it

Copy the cell or range containing the formula (Ctrl + C).
Select the destination cell or range.
Press Alt, release it, then type E, S, F.
Only the formulas are pasted — the destination’s colors, borders, and number formats stay untouched.

Frequently asked questions

Related shortcuts

Paste Special

Alt→E→S

Paste Values

Alt→E→S→V

Paste Transposed

Alt→E→S→E

Make Google Sheets feel like Excel

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