Quick Answer
Business Central keyboard shortcuts are key combinations like Alt+Q, F8, and Ctrl+F12 that help you navigate, enter data, and perform actions without using a mouse. This guide lists all the important ones by category – including shortcuts for search, filtering, data entry, navigation, and more.
If you use Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central every day, you probably click a lot with your mouse. But did you know that keyboard shortcuts can save you a lot of time and make your work much faster?
This is one of the most requested guides – a simple and complete list of all Business Central shortcuts. If you use Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central every day, you probably click a lot with your mouse. But did you know that keyboard shortcuts can save you time and make your work much faster?
In this guide, we’ll look at the most useful shortcut keys that can make your life easier.
⚡ Top 5 Must-Know Shortcuts (Start Here)
| Alt + Q | Search anything using Tell Me |
| F8 | Copy value from the row above |
| Ctrl + F12 | Switch between slim and wide page view |
| Ctrl + Insert | Add a new line in a list |
| T (in date field) | Insert today’s date automatically |
Table of Contents
Why Learn Business Central Keyboard Shortcuts?
Following are key reason to learn shortcut keys
- They save time – no need to search through menus.
- They help you finish tasks faster.
- They reduce mistakes from too much clicking.
- They make you feel like a Business Central pro!
💡 Pro tip: Don’t try to memorize everything at once. Start with 2-3 shortcuts you use most often and add more over time.
Search and Help Shortcuts
These shortcuts help you find anything quickly inside Business Central without opening menus manually. Following are summary of shortcut keys used in Business Central ERP system.
Search and Help
| Shortcut Key | Action |
|---|---|
| F3 | Search |
| Alt + Q | Open TellMe OR Search data |
| Ctrl + Alt + Q | Open Find entries |
| Ctrl + F1 | Business Central help |
| Alt + F2 | Business Central help |
| Ctrl + Shift + F1 | Help and Support page |
| Ctrl + Alt + F1 | Inspect page and data |
Filtering and Sorting
| Shortcut Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Alt + F3 | Filter to this field |
| Shift + Alt + F3 | Filter to this field |
| Shift + F3 | Toggle filter pane |
| Ctrl + Shift + F3 | Toggle filter pane (totals) |
| Ctrl + Alt + Shift + F3 | Reset all filters |
| Alt + F7 | Sort by current column |
🔍 Bonus: Filter Symbols You Should Know
These are not keyboard shortcuts but are very useful when typing values in the filter pane:
| .. | Range – Example: 1000..2000 shows entries between 1000 and 2000 |
| | | OR – Example: Red|Blue shows records with Red or Blue |
| * | Wildcard – Example: *chair* shows any record containing the word “chair” |
| <> | Not equal to – Example: <>0 shows all records where value is not zero |
| > or < | Greater or less than – Example: >100 shows records above 100 |
Navigation (Pages and Tabs)
| Shortcut Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Shift + Alt + F2 | Switch between FactBox areas |
| Shift + F6 | Move to previous FastTab |
| F6 | Move to next FastTab |
| Alt + F6 | Collapse current FastTab |
| Ctrl + Up Arrow | Previous element |
| Ctrl + Down Arrow | Next element |
| Ctrl + Alt + Down Arrow | Show details for lookup pages |
| Alt + Up Arrow | Show tooltip for field/table column header/inline field error |
| Alt + Down Arrow | Open dropdown list |
| Alt + Shift + W | Pop out page |
| Ctrl + F12 | Switch between slim/wide page |
| Ctrl + Shift + F12 | Focus mode on/off |
| Shift + F12 | Role explorer |
Data Entry and Quick Entry
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Enter | Next Quick Entry |
| Shift + Enter | Previous QuickEntry |
| Ctrl + Shift + Enter | Next Quick Entry after list |
| Ctrl + Enter | Next field outside list OR Back to list from filter |
| Ctrl + Insert | Add new line item |
| Ctrl + Delete | Delete line item |
| F8 | Copy from cell above |
Actions and Commands Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Alt + N | New |
| Alt + Shift + N | OK and New on card and doc pages |
| Alt + O | Add note |
| Alt + T | My Settings |
| Ctrl + Shift + Alt + C | Company badge |
| Shift + F10 | Display content menu of item |
| Alt | Show action shortcuts |
System and Refresh Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| F5 | Refresh data (fast) |
| Ctrl + F5 | Reload Business Central |
Developer and Power User Shortcuts
If you are a Business Central consultant, developer, or power user, these shortcuts will save you a lot of time during troubleshooting and customization.
| Shortcut Key | Action | When to Use it |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrl + Alt + F1 | Inspect page and data | See the source table name, field IDs, extensions applied, and filters active on the current page |
| Ctrl + Alt + H | View all shortcuts in BC | Opens BC’s built-in shortcut list – the fastest way to check any shortcut on the fly |
| Alt + Shift + W | Pop out page | Open the current page in a new browser window – useful when comparing two records side by side |
| Ctrl + Shift + F12 | Focus mode on / off | Maximize a list to full screen – great for reviewing long journal lines |
Business Central Keyboard Shortcuts on Mac
Most Business Central shortcuts work the same on a Mac. The main difference is that you replace the Ctrl key with the Cmd (⌘) key in some cases. Here are the key differences to know:
| PC Shortcut | Mac Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + Insert | Fn + Ctrl + Return (or use toolbar) |
| Ctrl + Delete | Fn + Ctrl + Delete |
| F5 (Refresh) | Fn + F5 |
| Ctrl + F1 (Help) | Fn + Ctrl + F1 |
💡 Most function keys (F3, F5, F6, F8, etc.) require pressing Fn first on a Mac keyboard unless you have changed your function key settings.
Tips to Learn Shortcuts Faster
Don’t try to remember everything at once, start with 2-3 shortcuts you use the most.
Use Alt + Q often – it’s the fastest way to find anything in Business Central.
Over time, shortcuts will become natural and save you a lot of clicks.
FAQ – Business Central Keyboard Shortcuts
Shortcut keys are simple key combinations that help you quickly move around pages, enter data, and perform actions without using a mouse.
They save time, improve speed, and make navigation smoother. You can work faster with fewer clicks.
No, Business Central does not allow users to fully customize shortcut keys. However, you can use browser or extension-based shortcuts for some adjustments.
Mostly yes. But a few shortcuts may behave differently in Chrome, Edge, or Firefox due to browser-specific commands.
Some must-know keys are:
Alt + Q : Search (Tell Me)
F8 : Copy value from the row above
Ctrl + F12 : Show/Hide navigation pane
Esc : Close a page or dialog
Yes. Just type T in a date field to insert today’s date.
Press Ctrl + Alt + H directly inside Business Central. This opens the built-in keyboard shortcut panel without leaving the application. You can also visit the official Microsoft Learn page for the complete list.
Most keyboard shortcuts require a physical keyboard. On a tablet using only touch input, shortcuts are not available. However, if you connect a Bluetooth keyboard to your tablet, the shortcuts will work normally.
There is no direct shortcut to jump to the Role Center (Home page). The fastest way is to use Alt + Q to open Tell Me, type “home” or your Role Center name, and select it from the results.
Shortcut keys are like hidden tricks in Business Central. Once you start using them, you will notice how much faster your work gets. Try learning a few every day and soon you won’t be able to work without them.
