How do I transpose data in Google Sheets with the keyboard?

Natively you cannot — Edit > Paste special > Transposed is mouse-only. The XLKeys extension adds the Excel sequence Alt E S E so you can paste transposed without leaving the keyboard.

Can I transpose with a formula instead?

Yes, =TRANSPOSE(range) creates a live transposed view. Paste-transposed (Alt E S E) is better when you want a static copy you can edit independently.

All shortcuts

Paste Transposed in Google Sheets

Windows

Alt→E→S→E

Mac

Option→E→S→E

Flipping a row of headers into a column (or vice versa) is a paste-transpose. Excel users do it without thinking: Alt E S E. In Google Sheets the option exists, but only as a mouse-driven menu item.

XLKeys brings the keystroke over: copy your range, press Alt, then E, S, E, and the data lands transposed — rows become columns and columns become rows.

Excel vs. Google Sheets vs. XLKeys

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

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

How to use it

Copy the range you want to flip (Ctrl + C).
Select the top-left cell of the destination.
Press Alt, release it, then type E, S, E.
The range pastes with rows and columns swapped.

Frequently asked questions

Related shortcuts

Paste Special

Alt→E→S

Paste Values

Alt→E→S→V

Paste Formatting

Alt→E→S→T

Make Google Sheets feel like Excel

Install XLKeys to use paste transposed and 150+ other Excel-style shortcuts, Alt-key sequences, formula auditing, Goal Seek, and Sensitivity Tables in Google Sheets.

Add XLKeys to Chrome Free printable cheat sheet →