Alt + H + V + R in Google Sheets (Paste Formatting)
Pastes only the formatting of the copied cells: number formats, fonts, fills and borders. The destination keeps its own values.
Add to Chrome (14 Days Free)In Excel: Home tab, Clipboard. In ShortieCuts' key-tip menu: "Format Only".
What Alt + H + V + R Does in Excel
Pastes only the formatting of the copied cells: number formats, fonts, fills and borders. The destination keeps its own values.
How to Use Alt + H + V + R in Google Sheets
- Add the ShortieCuts extension to Chrome and open any Google Sheet.
- Select the cells you want to work on (if the command needs a selection).
- Press Alt (or Option on Mac). Excel-style key-tips appear over the sheet.
- Press H, V, then R. ShortieCuts runs Paste Formatting, just like Excel.
Built-in Google Sheets alternative: Ctrl + Alt + V (Cmd + Option + V on Mac) also pastes format only.
Related Shortcuts
| Keys | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Alt HVV | Paste ValuesPastes only the values of the copied cells. |
| Alt HVF | Paste FormulasPastes the copied formulas without bringing over the source cells' formatting. |
| Alt HVT | Paste TransposePastes the copied range with rows and columns swapped, so a row of headers becomes a column and vice versa. |
| Alt HVB | Paste All Except BordersPastes everything from the copied cells (values, formulas and formatting) except their borders. |
| Alt HFP | Format PainterPicks up the formatting of the selected cell so you can apply it to another cell or range. |
| Alt H1 | BoldToggles bold on the selected cells from the Font group of Excel's Home tab. |
| Alt H2 | ItalicToggles italics on the selected cells. |
| Alt H3 | UnderlineApplies underline to the selected cells from the Font group. |
FAQ
Does Alt + H + V + R work in Google Sheets?
Not on its own. Google Sheets doesn't have Excel's ribbon key-tips, so typing Alt + H + V + R won't run Paste Formatting. With the ShortieCuts Chrome extension installed, Alt + H + V + R works in Google Sheets the same way it does in Excel.
What does Alt + H + V + R do in Excel?
Paste Formatting. Pastes only the formatting of the copied cells: number formats, fonts, fills and borders. The destination keeps its own values.
How do I use Alt + H + V + R on a Mac?
With ShortieCuts, press Option instead of Alt, then H, then V, then R: Option + H + V + R. The same key-tips appear as on Windows.
Is there a built-in Google Sheets shortcut for Paste Formatting?
Ctrl + Alt + V (Cmd + Option + V on Mac) also pastes format only.
Is ShortieCuts free?
ShortieCuts has a free 14-day trial with no credit card needed. After the trial, Pro is $7.99 a month or $69.99 a year.