Alt + E S U Mac Excel Shortcut: Legacy Paste as Picture (2026 Guide)

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Quick Answer

Alt + E + S + U is a legacy pre-ribbon shortcut for Paste as Picture. With Accelerator Keys, this shortcut works exactly like the modern Alt + H + V + U sequence.

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If you are looking for the Alt + E S U shortcut on Mac Excel, you may be familiar with this shortcut from older versions of Excel (2003 and earlier). This legacy shortcut still works with Accelerator Keys and maps to the modern ribbon equivalent.

What Does Alt + E S U Do?

Alt + E + S + U is the legacy shortcut for Edit > Paste Special > Paste as Picture. It converts the copied cells into a static image that can be resized and positioned like any other picture.

Legacy vs. Modern Shortcut Comparison

Shortcut Era Menu Path
Alt + E + S + U Legacy (Excel 2003) Edit > Paste Special > Paste as Picture
Alt + H + V + U Modern (Ribbon) Home > Paste > Paste as Picture

Both shortcuts work with Accelerator Keys!

Step-by-Step: How to do Alt + E S U on Mac Excel

  1. Install the Fix: Download Accelerator Keys (14-day free trial, no credit card required).
  2. Copy your data: Select the cells and press Cmd+C.
  3. Activate the Ribbon: Press the Option key.
  4. Execute Sequence: Press E, then S, then U.
  5. Result: The copied range is pasted as a static image.

When to Use Paste as Picture

This shortcut is useful when you want to:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the modern equivalent of Alt + E S U?

The modern ribbon shortcut is Alt + H + V + U (Home > Paste > Paste as Picture). Both work with Accelerator Keys.

Can I edit the pasted picture?

No, the pasted picture is a static image. To update it, you must copy and paste again.

Does Alt + E S U work natively on Mac Excel?

No, the native Mac Excel “KeyTips” does not support legacy pre-ribbon shortcuts. You need Accelerator Keys to use Alt + E + S + U on Mac.

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