Google Sheets · Scientific format
Numbers
Windows · Linux
Ctrl+Shift+6Mac
Ctrl+Shift+6Both systems use the same combination.
Switches to a scientific format like 1.2E+05, which helps when a very large or very small number is clipped into hashes by the column width.
- Group
- Numbers
- Keys held
- 3
It runs inside the browser, so combinations the browser claims first — Ctrl+W, for one — never reach the sheet. That is why so many Sheets shortcuts use Alt/Option.
Reading the key names
- Keys joined by + are pressed together: Ctrl+Shift+P means hold Ctrl and Shift, then P.
- On a Mac, Cmd is ⌘, Option is ⌥ (labelled Alt on some keyboards), Control is ⌃ and Shift is ⇧.
- Windows Ctrl usually becomes Cmd on a Mac, but not always — this reference lists both combinations separately.
- With a Korean, Japanese or Chinese input method active, shortcuts built on letter keys may not fire. Switch to Latin input and try again.
- When a combination does nothing, another program has often claimed it as a global shortcut first.
Common questions
Q. What is the shortcut for Scientific format in Google Sheets?
Switches to a scientific format like 1.2E+05, which helps when a very large or very small number is clipped into hashes by the column width. It is Ctrl+Shift+6 on Windows and Ctrl+Shift+6 on a Mac.
Q. Is it the same on Windows and Mac?
Yes, Ctrl+Shift+6 on both.
Q. How many keys is that?
3 pressed together. The combination sits under Numbers in Google Sheets.