Complete Tally Shortcuts List: Keyboard Commands for TallyPrime

Tally shortcuts are keyboard commands that speed up navigation, data entry, and report generation in TallyPrime. Master 50+ shortcuts like Alt+G (Gateway), F11 (Config), F1 (Help), and Ctrl+S (Save) to work 3x faster in accounting and GST compliance.

Why Tally Shortcuts Matter for Accountants

Keyboard shortcuts are the backbone of fast, professional accounting work in TallyPrime. Instead of clicking through menus with a mouse, you press a key combination and land exactly where you need to be. For accountants processing 100+ invoices daily, shortcuts save hours every week. They reduce repetitive strain injury (RSI) risk, improve accuracy, and let you focus on numbers, not navigation. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned user, learning these commands transforms your productivity.

Gateway Navigation Shortcuts

The Gateway of Tally is your command center. It is the first screen you see after opening a company. These shortcuts let you navigate it without touching the mouse:

• Alt+G: Open the Gateway of Tally (main menu). Press it anytime to jump back to the hub.
• F12: Close the current screen and return to the previous one.
• Esc: Exit the current menu or cancel an action.
• Arrow Keys (Up, Down, Left, Right): Move between menu options.
• Enter: Select the highlighted option.
• Ctrl+Home: Jump to the top of any list or report.
• Ctrl+End: Jump to the bottom of any list or report.

Configuration and Setup Shortcuts

Configuration (F11) is where you set up your company, enable GST, define ledgers, and customize Tally. These shortcuts speed up setup:

• F11: Open Company Configuration. Here you enable GST, TDS, TCS, e-invoicing, and other features.
• Alt+U: Open User Settings (user name, password, role).
• Ctrl+U: Create a new user or manage user access.
• F2: Open the Chart of Accounts (list of all ledgers and cost centers).
• F3: Open the Stock Items list (inventory master).

Voucher Entry Shortcuts

Voucher entry is the core of daily accounting work. These shortcuts make data entry fast and error-free:

• Alt+C: Create a new Cash Receipt voucher.
• Alt+P: Create a new Payment voucher (cash out).
• Alt+J: Create a new Journal Entry.
• Alt+S: Create a new Sales Invoice (or Ctrl+S in some versions).
• Alt+D: Create a new Debit Note or Purchase Invoice.
• Ctrl+A: Select all text in a field (useful for editing).
• Ctrl+S: Save the current voucher.
• Ctrl+D: Delete the current voucher (after confirmation).
• Ctrl+M: Duplicate the current voucher (copy and modify).
• Ctrl+T: Open the Voucher Type list.
• Esc: Cancel and close without saving.

GST and Tax Shortcuts

GST compliance is mandatory for registered businesses in India. Tally makes it easy with dedicated shortcuts. Learn more in our Tally with GST course for step-by-step guidance:

• Alt+G, then navigate to Display > GST Reports: Access GSTR-1, GSTR-2B, GSTR-3B, and other GST filings.
• F11 > Enable GST: Turn on GST in Company Configuration.
• Alt+G > Display More Reports > GST Reports > GSTR-1: View outward supply details (sales).
• Alt+G > Display More Reports > GST Reports > GSTR-3B: View monthly GST summary (due 20th of next month for regular taxpayers).
• Ctrl+H: Open Help, then search for GST-related topics.

Report and Display Shortcuts

Reports are how you track business health and comply with tax laws. These shortcuts get you to reports fast:

• Alt+G: Open Gateway, then select Display to see all reports.
• Ctrl+P: Print the current report or voucher.
• Ctrl+E: Export report to Excel or PDF.
• F5: Refresh the current report (reload data).
• Ctrl+R: Open the Report Filter or drill down into details.
• Page Up / Page Down: Scroll through long reports.

Data Management Shortcuts

Keeping your data safe and organized is critical. These shortcuts help you manage company data:

• Alt+Y: Open the Data menu. From here, you can backup, restore, repair, or audit data.
• Alt+Y > Backup: Create a backup file (.bak) of your company.
• Alt+Y > Restore: Restore from a backup.
• Alt+Y > Repair: Fix data corruption (always backup first).
• F1 > Help > Troubleshooting > Repair: Alternative path to repair tool.
• Alt+Y > Audit: Review transaction logs and user actions.

Search and Navigation Shortcuts

Finding specific invoices, ledgers, or items quickly saves time. Use these search shortcuts:

• Ctrl+F: Open the Find/Search dialog. Type a name, invoice number, or ledger name to locate it.
• Ctrl+L: Jump to a specific Ledger (account).
• Ctrl+G: Go to a specific date or period.
• F9: Open the Voucher Numbering or Voucher Allocation screen.

Help and Support Shortcuts

Tally has built-in help for every screen. These shortcuts get you answers fast:

• F1: Open Help. Context-sensitive help appears for the current screen.
• F1 > Troubleshooting: Access data repair, license issues, and error solutions.
• Ctrl+?: Open Tally's keyboard shortcut reference (in some versions).

Advanced Shortcuts for Power Users

Once you master the basics, these advanced shortcuts unlock Tally's full power. For deeper learning, explore our Tally keyboard shortcuts guide:

• Ctrl+N: Create a new company (from the Tally opening screen).
• Ctrl+O: Open an existing company.
• Ctrl+B: Open the Budget or Scenario comparison screen.
• Alt+F4: Close Tally completely.
• Ctrl+Shift+S: Save as (save voucher with a new number or date).

Shortcut Reference Table

Here is a quick-reference table of the 30 most-used Tally shortcuts:

Shortcut	Action	Use Case
Alt+G	Open Gateway of Tally	Navigate to any menu
F1	Open Help	Get instant answers
F11	Open Configuration	Set up GST, TDS, features
F2	Chart of Accounts	View all ledgers
F3	Stock Items	Manage inventory
Alt+C	Cash Receipt	Record cash received
Alt+P	Payment Voucher	Record cash paid
Alt+J	Journal Entry	Record non-cash transactions
Alt+S	Sales Invoice	Record sales
Alt+D	Purchase Invoice	Record purchases
Ctrl+S	Save Voucher	Save current entry
Ctrl+D	Delete Voucher	Remove a transaction
Ctrl+M	Duplicate Voucher	Copy and modify
Ctrl+F	Find/Search	Locate invoice or ledger
Ctrl+P	Print	Print report or voucher
Ctrl+E	Export	Export to Excel/PDF
Alt+Y	Data Menu	Backup, restore, repair
F5	Refresh Report	Reload data
Esc	Cancel/Close	Exit without saving
F12	Previous Screen	Go back one level
Ctrl+Home	Top of List	Jump to start
Ctrl+End	Bottom of List	Jump to end
Ctrl+A	Select All	Select all text in field
Alt+U	User Settings	Manage user account
F9	Voucher Numbering	Set invoice number series

Worked Example: Using Shortcuts to Record a GST Sale

Let us walk through a real scenario using shortcuts. You need to record a sales invoice for Rs 10,000 (including 18% GST) to ABC Traders on 15 January 2026.

1. Press Alt+S to open a new Sales Invoice.
2. The date field is active. Type 15-01-2026 and press Tab.
3. Type the customer name ABC Traders and press Tab. If the ledger exists, Tally auto-fills it.
4. In the Item/Ledger field, type the item name (e.g., Goods) and press Tab.
5. Enter the quantity and rate. Tally auto-calculates the amount: Rs 8,474.58 (before GST).
6. Press Tab to move to the GST field. Tally auto-applies 18% GST (Rs 1,525.42).
7. Total amount: Rs 10,000.
8. Press Ctrl+S to save the invoice.
9. Tally assigns an invoice number and confirms the entry.
10. To view the GSTR-1 report, press Alt+G, navigate to Display More Reports > GST Reports > GSTR-1. Your sale appears here automatically.

This entire process takes 2-3 minutes using shortcuts, versus 10+ minutes with a mouse. For more practice, check out our Tally practice exercises.

Common Mistakes When Using Shortcuts

Even experienced users make shortcut mistakes. Here are the top ones to avoid:

• Forgetting Alt+G is the master shortcut: If you are lost in any menu, Alt+G returns you to the Gateway. Use it freely.
• Pressing Ctrl+S instead of Alt+S for sales: Ctrl+S saves the current voucher. Alt+S creates a new sales invoice. Know the difference.
• Not backing up before using Alt+Y > Repair: Always backup your data first. Press Alt+Y > Backup, then repair.
• Closing without saving (Esc): If you press Esc, your voucher is discarded. Use Ctrl+S to save, then F12 to close safely.
• Ignoring F1 (Help): Tally's built-in help is context-sensitive and answers 90% of questions. Press F1 anytime.

Mastering Shortcuts: Tips for Beginners

If you are new to Tally, start with these five shortcuts and master them before learning others: Alt+G, F11, F1, Ctrl+S, and Esc. Practice them daily for one week until they become muscle memory. Then add Alt+C, Alt+P, Alt+J, Alt+S, and Alt+D. Within two weeks, you will be 3x faster. For a structured learning path, explore our Tally for beginners guide.

Shortcuts on Tally Cloud and Remote Access

If you use Tally on Cloud (secure RDP from Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, or iOS), all shortcuts work exactly the same. Tally on Cloud brings your own licence or includes licence starting at Rs 899-1,299 per month with ~99.9% uptime and daily backups. The keyboard shortcuts remain unchanged, so your productivity gains transfer seamlessly from desktop to cloud.

Keyboard Shortcut Cheat Sheet Download

We recommend printing this shortcuts list or saving it as a PDF on your desktop for quick reference. Laminate it and keep it near your keyboard for the first month. After that, shortcuts become automatic. For interview preparation, our Tally interview questions guide includes shortcut-related questions that employers often ask.

Getting Help with Tally Shortcuts

If you forget a shortcut or need clarification, press F1 anytime to open Tally's built-in Help. Search for the action you want (e.g., "save voucher" or "GST report"), and Tally shows the shortcut. You can also contact Global IT Care, a Tally 3 Star Certified Partner in Purnea, Bihar, operating since 2010. We offer live training, one-on-one coaching, and customized Tally setups. Call us at +91 75469 00951 on WhatsApp to book a free consultation. We also provide TallyPrime pricing and licensing information tailored to your business size.