Show Formulas in Excel Use a keyboard shortcut to show formulas in Excel Show Formulas in Excel Spreadsheets The key combination that can be used to show formulas is: Ctrl + ` Show Formulas using Shortcut Keys 1. Press and hold down the Ctrl key on the keyboard 2. Press and release the grave accent key ( ` ) key on the keyboard without releasing the Ctrl key 3. Release the Ctrl key The grave accent key is located next to the number 1 key on the top left corner of the keyboard and looks like a backwards apostrophe. About Show formulas • Show formulas does not change the spreadsheet, only the way it is displayed. For  further  information  go  to   http://spreadsheets.about.com/od/excelformulas/qt/show_formulas.htm