If you work with TallyPrime, knowing the right keyboard shortcuts can make everyday accounting tasks significantly faster and easier. Instead of repeatedly opening menus, searching for options, or moving between screens with a mouse, you can use Tally shortcuts to navigate, create vouchers, alter information, manage reports, and perform many accounting operations efficiently.
Whether you are a student learning accounting software, an accountant managing business transactions, or a business owner working with financial reports, learning commonly used Tally shortcut keys can improve productivity.
This complete guide explains important TallyPrime shortcut keys, their functions, practical uses, and tips for remembering them.
What Are Tally Shortcuts?
Tally shortcuts are keyboard combinations or single keys that allow users to perform specific actions quickly inside TallyPrime.
For example, keyboard shortcuts can help you:
- Open or close menus
- Create accounting vouchers
- Switch between reports
- Change dates
- Alter masters
- Navigate between fields
- Save or accept screens
- Open configuration options
- Export reports
- Print information
- Search for records
- Change the company
Learning these shortcuts reduces dependence on the mouse and makes accounting workflows more efficient.
Why Should You Learn Tally Shortcut Keys?
Accounting often involves repetitive tasks. If you use a mouse for every action, even a simple transaction can require several clicks.
Keyboard shortcuts can reduce unnecessary navigation.
1. Save Time
The biggest advantage of learning TallyPrime shortcut keys is speed.
Instead of searching through menus, you can use a shortcut to reach the required function directly.
2. Improve Productivity
Accountants often enter numerous sales, purchase, receipt, payment, and journal transactions. Faster navigation can make these repetitive activities more manageable.
3. Reduce Mouse Dependency
Keyboard-based workflows can be especially useful when entering large amounts of accounting data.
4. Improve Navigation
TallyPrime contains many reports, ledgers, vouchers, masters, and configuration options. Shortcuts can help you move between these areas more efficiently.
5. Useful for Students
Students preparing for accounting software courses or practical examinations can benefit from learning frequently used shortcut keys.
TallyPrime Shortcut Keys at a Glance
Here are some commonly used shortcuts that TallyPrime users should know.
| Shortcut | Function |
|---|---|
| Alt + G | Go To |
| Alt + K | Company |
| Alt + Y | Data |
| Alt + O | Import |
| Alt + E | Export |
| Alt + P | |
| Alt + M | Share |
| Alt + Z | Exchange |
| Ctrl + A | Accept or save a screen |
| Ctrl + Enter | Alter a master |
| Alt + C | Create a master during voucher entry |
| F1 | Select or open company |
| F2 | Change date |
| F3 | Select company |
| F4 | Contra voucher |
| F5 | Payment voucher |
| F6 | Receipt voucher |
| F7 | Journal voucher |
| F8 | Sales voucher |
| F9 | Purchase voucher |
| F10 | Other vouchers |
| F11 | Company features |
| F12 | Configuration |
Note: Shortcut availability can vary depending on the screen, context, and TallyPrime version. Always verify shortcuts within your installed version when a specific function is critical.
F1 to F12 Tally Shortcut Keys
Function keys are among the most recognizable Tally shortcut keys.
F1 – Select Company
The F1 key is commonly associated with selecting or opening a company-related screen.
It is useful when working with multiple companies.
F2 – Change Date
F2 is widely used for changing the date in relevant TallyPrime screens.
This is particularly useful when entering transactions for different dates.
F3 – Select Company
F3 can be used for company selection in relevant screens.
Users working with multiple company data sets may find this shortcut especially useful.
F4 – Contra Voucher
F4 is commonly associated with the Contra voucher.
Contra transactions generally involve transfers between cash and bank accounts or between bank accounts.
F5 – Payment Voucher
F5 opens the Payment voucher in relevant accounting screens.
It is commonly used for recording payments made by the business.
F6 – Receipt Voucher
F6 is used to access the Receipt voucher.
It can be useful for recording money received by a business.
F7 – Journal Voucher
F7 is commonly used to access Journal voucher entry.
Journal vouchers can be used for accounting adjustments and transactions that do not fit directly into TallyPrime shortcut keys for beginners payment, receipt, sales, or purchase categories.
F8 – Sales Voucher
F8 is commonly associated with Sales voucher entry.
Businesses can use sales vouchers to record sales transactions.
F9 – Purchase Voucher
F9 is commonly associated with Purchase voucher entry.
It can help users quickly reach purchase transaction entry.
F10 – Other Vouchers
F10 can provide access to other voucher types depending on the TallyPrime screen and configuration.
F11 – Company Features
F11 opens company feature-related settings in relevant contexts.
These settings can include options related to accounting, inventory, taxation, and other features.
F12 – Configuration
F12 generally opens configuration options relevant to the current screen.
Configuration settings can vary according to the report or transaction screen.
Tally Navigation Shortcuts
Navigation shortcuts are extremely useful because TallyPrime contains many menus and reports.
Alt + G – Go To
Alt + G is one of the most useful navigation shortcuts.
The Go To function allows users to quickly search for and access relevant reports, masters, vouchers, and other available options.
For users working with large accounting data sets, this can significantly reduce menu navigation.
Alt + K – Company
Alt + K opens company-related options in relevant contexts.
It can help users access company management functions.
Alt + Y – Data
Alt + Y is associated with data-related options.
Depending on the context, it can provide access to data management functions.
Alt + O – Import
Alt + O can be used to access import-related options.
Import functions can help businesses bring certain data into TallyPrime using supported formats and processes.
Alt + E – Export
Alt + E is associated with export functionality.
Users can use export options when they need to share or analyze reports outside TallyPrime.
Alt + P – Print
Alt + P is commonly used to access printing options.
It can be useful when printing invoices, reports, ledgers, or other documents.
Alt + M – Share
Alt + M provides access to sharing-related options in supported contexts.
Alt + Z – Exchange
Alt + Z can provide access to exchange-related options where applicable.
Voucher Entry Shortcut Keys
Voucher entry is one of the most important areas where Tally shortcut keys can save time.
Why Voucher Shortcuts Matter
An accountant may enter dozens or hundreds of transactions during a working day.
Switching repeatedly between voucher menus can become inefficient.
Learning voucher shortcuts helps users quickly access the required transaction type.
Common Voucher Shortcuts
- F4 – Contra
- F5 – Payment
- F6 – Receipt
- F7 – Journal
- F8 – Sales
- F9 – Purchase
- F10 – Other voucher options
These shortcuts are especially useful for users who regularly enter financial transactions.
Ctrl + A – Accept or Save
Ctrl + A is an important shortcut used to accept or save a screen in many TallyPrime contexts.
Instead of moving to an Accept button, users can often use the keyboard shortcut.
This makes data-entry workflows faster.
Ctrl + Enter – Alter Master
Ctrl + Enter is commonly used to alter a master from relevant screens.
For example, while working with a ledger or other master, the shortcut can allow you to open the master alteration screen.
This is particularly useful when you realize that an existing master needs a change during transaction entry.
Alt + C – Create Master
Alt + C is a widely useful shortcut for creating a master during transaction entry.
Suppose you are entering a sales transaction and realize that the required ledger has not yet been created.
Instead of leaving the voucher screen and manually navigating to the ledger creation menu, you can use the relevant shortcut to create the master from the current context.
This can make voucher entry much more efficient.
Tally Shortcut for Changing Date
Changing the transaction date is a common accounting task.
F2 is commonly used for changing the date in relevant TallyPrime screens.
For example, if you are entering transactions for August 20 but the current screen displays August 19, you can use the date shortcut and select the required date.
This is particularly helpful during historical transaction entry.
Tally Shortcut for Opening Reports
TallyPrime provides numerous accounting and financial reports.
Instead of manually searching through multiple menus, users can often use Alt + G to access the Go To function and search for the required report.
Examples include:
- Balance Sheet
- Profit & Loss Account
- Trial Balance
- Day Book
- Ledger
- Stock Summary
- Outstanding Receivables
- Outstanding Payables
- Cash Book
- Bank Book
The availability of a specific report depends on the company setup and enabled features.
Tally Shortcuts for Reports
Reports are central to accounting software.
A business may regularly review financial information such as sales, purchases, expenses, outstanding amounts Tally ERP shortcut keys, cash balances, and profitability.
Keyboard navigation can make report access more convenient.
Trial Balance
Trial Balance helps users review debit and credit balances of accounts.
You can use navigation tools such as Go To to access it quickly.
Balance Sheet
The Balance Sheet provides information about assets, liabilities, and capital.
It is one of the most important financial reports for understanding a company’s financial position.
Profit & Loss Account
The Profit & Loss report helps users review income and expenses to understand profitability over a selected period.
Day Book
The Day Book provides a chronological view of accounting transactions.
It is useful for reviewing transaction activity.
Ledger
Ledger reports provide transaction details for individual accounts.
Tally Shortcuts for Sales and Purchase
Sales and purchase transactions are common in trading and service businesses.
The commonly used voucher shortcuts include:
F8 – Sales
This shortcut can help access Sales voucher entry.
F9 – Purchase
This shortcut can help access Purchase voucher entry.
When combined with other keyboard commands, these shortcuts can create a faster transaction-entry workflow.
Tally Shortcuts for Payment and Receipt
Cash and bank transactions are another major part of accounting.
Payment Voucher
Use the relevant Payment shortcut, commonly F5, to access payment entry.
Payments can include:
- Rent
- Salaries
- Electricity expenses
- Supplier payments
- Office expenses
- Other business expenses
Receipt Voucher
Use F6 to access Receipt voucher entry in relevant contexts.
Receipts can include:
- Customer collections
- Cash receipts
- Bank receipts
- Other business income
Tally Shortcuts for Journal Entries
Journal entries are frequently used for adjustments.
F7 provides quick access to Journal voucher entry in relevant TallyPrime screens.
Common journal-related activities can include:
- Adjustment entries
- Depreciation
- Provisions
- Transfers
- Corrections
- Accrual-related adjustments
Always ensure that journal entries follow appropriate accounting principles and company procedures.
Tally Shortcuts for Company Management
Businesses may manage multiple companies within TallyPrime.
Company-related shortcuts can help users move between company options more efficiently.
Common company-related commands include:
- F1 – Company selection in relevant contexts
- F3 – Company selection
- Alt + K – Company menu
- Alt + Y – Data-related functions
When working with multiple companies, always verify which company is active before entering transactions.
Why Company Selection Matters
Entering a transaction into the wrong company can create serious accounting problems.
Before entering important transactions, check:
- Company name
- Financial year
- Current date
- Voucher type
- Ledger
- Amount
- Tax details where applicable
Shortcut keys improve speed, but accuracy should always come first.
Tally Shortcuts for Data Management
Accounting data should be handled carefully.
TallyPrime provides options for managing company data, importing information, exporting reports, and other data-related functions.
Relevant shortcuts can provide faster access to these options.
Import
Import functions can be useful when transferring supported data into TallyPrime.
Export
Export functions can be useful when sharing reports or analyzing data in other applications.
Backup
Data backup is a critical accounting practice.
Although a keyboard shortcut may help access certain functions, users should understand the backup process and maintain appropriate backup procedures.
Tally Shortcuts for Printing
Printing invoices and accounting reports is a common business requirement.
Alt + P can be used to access print-related functionality in relevant screens.
Depending on the report, you may be able to print:
- Invoices
- Ledgers
- Trial Balance
- Profit & Loss
- Balance Sheet
- Outstanding reports
- Stock reports
- Day Book
Before printing, review the report period and company details.
Tally Shortcuts for Exporting Reports
Businesses frequently need to share accounting information with management, auditors, tax professionals, or other authorized users.
Alt + E can provide access to export-related options in supported contexts.
Export formats and available options can vary according to the report and TallyPrime version.
Always verify exported data before sharing it externally.
How to Remember Tally Shortcut Keys
Learning dozens of shortcuts may initially seem difficult.
A better approach is to learn them in groups.
Group 1: Function Keys
Start with:
- F2 – Date
- F4 – Contra
- F5 – Payment
- F6 – Receipt
- F7 – Journal
- F8 – Sales
- F9 – Purchase
- F11 – Features
- F12 – Configuration
Group 2: Alt Shortcuts
Next learn:
- Alt + G – Go To
- Alt + C – Create
- Alt + E – Export
- Alt + O – Import
- Alt + P – Print
- Alt + K – Company
- Alt + M – Share
- Alt + Y – Data
Group 3: Control Shortcuts
Finally learn:
- Ctrl + A – Accept
- Ctrl + Enter – Alter
Learning these groups gradually is easier than trying to memorize everything in one session.
Practical Example of Using Tally Shortcuts
Imagine an accountant needs to record a supplier payment.
A mouse-based workflow may require opening the voucher menu, selecting Payment, choosing the required ledger, entering the amount, and accepting the transaction.
With keyboard knowledge, the accountant can quickly access the Payment voucher using the appropriate function key, enter the transaction, and accept the screen using the relevant shortcut.
The exact steps can vary according to the configuration and voucher mode.
The key advantage is reducing unnecessary navigation.
Tally Shortcuts for Students
Students learning accounting software should not focus only on memorizing shortcut keys.
They should also understand:
- Basic accounting principles
- Debit and credit
- Ledger creation
- Groups
- Voucher types
- Inventory concepts
- Tax configuration
- Financial reports
- Company creation
- Data management
Shortcut keys are tools that improve efficiency after the underlying accounting concepts are understood.
Recommended Learning Method
A simple practice routine can include:
Day 1: Learn navigation shortcuts.
Day 2: Practice voucher shortcuts.
Day 3: Practice company and date shortcuts.
Day 4: Practice reports.
Day 5: Practice master creation and alteration.
Day 6: Enter sample transactions.
Day 7: Review everything without looking at the shortcut list.
This approach can help turn shortcuts into practical habits.
Tally Shortcut Keys for Accountants
Professional accountants can benefit from shortcuts because their work often involves repetitive data entry and report analysis.
A typical accounting workflow may involve:
- Opening the correct company.
- Checking the financial year.
- Reviewing the current date.
- Entering transactions.
- Creating or altering masters.
- Reviewing ledgers.
- Checking Trial Balance.
- Reviewing outstanding reports.
- Generating financial statements.
- Exporting or printing required reports.
Shortcut knowledge can make each stage faster.
Keyboard Shortcuts vs Mouse Navigation
Both keyboard and mouse navigation have advantages.
| Method | Advantage |
| Keyboard shortcuts | Fast for repetitive tasks |
| Mouse navigation | Easy for beginners |
| Keyboard | Useful for data entry |
| Mouse | Helpful for exploring unfamiliar menus |
| Shortcuts | Reduce repeated clicking |
| Menu navigation | Helps users learn available features |
A good TallyPrime user should be comfortable with both.
Common Mistakes When Using Tally Shortcuts
1. Memorizing Without Understanding
Knowing that F8 opens Sales does not mean you understand how to record a sales transaction correctly.
Accounting knowledge remains essential.
2. Using the Wrong Voucher
A shortcut only opens a voucher. You still need to select the correct transaction type.
3. Forgetting the Date
Always verify the transaction date before accepting an entry.
4. Selecting the Wrong Ledger
Review ledger names carefully, especially when multiple ledgers have similar names.
5. Ignoring Tax Details
Where applicable, review GST or other taxation information before finalizing transactions.
6. Working in the Wrong Company
This can cause major accounting problems.
7. Skipping Verification
After entering important transactions, review the voucher and relevant reports.
Tips for Faster TallyPrime Data Entry
Shortcut keys are only one part of efficient accounting.
Keep Masters Organized
Use clear and consistent ledger names.
Use Appropriate Groups
Correct grouping improves the accuracy of financial reports.
Review Transactions Regularly
Do not wait until the end of the financial year to identify errors.
Maintain Backups
Regular backups can help protect important accounting information.
Learn Search and Navigation Tools
Efficient search can be just as important as memorizing individual shortcuts.
Practice With Realistic Examples
Students should practice transactions such as purchases, sales, receipts, payments, expenses, and adjustments.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tally Shortcuts
What are Tally shortcuts?
Tally shortcuts are keyboard commands used to perform accounting, navigation, reporting, configuration, and data-entry tasks more efficiently in TallyPrime.
What is the shortcut key for changing the date in Tally?
F2 is commonly used for changing the date in relevant TallyPrime screens.
What is the shortcut key for Payment voucher?
F5 is commonly used to open Payment voucher entry.
What is the shortcut key for Receipt voucher?
F6 is commonly used to access Receipt voucher entry.
What is the shortcut key for Journal voucher?
F7 is commonly associated with Journal voucher entry.
What is the shortcut key for Sales voucher?
F8 is commonly associated with Sales voucher entry.
What is the shortcut key for Purchase voucher?
F9 is commonly associated with Purchase voucher entry.
What is the shortcut for Contra voucher?
F4 is commonly used for Contra voucher entry.
What is Alt + G in TallyPrime?
Alt + G opens the Go To functionality in relevant TallyPrime contexts, allowing users to quickly access available reports, masters, vouchers, and other options.
What is Ctrl + A in TallyPrime?
Ctrl + A is commonly used to accept or save a screen in relevant contexts.
What is Ctrl + Enter in TallyPrime?
Ctrl + Enter can be used to alter a master from relevant screens.
What is Alt + C in TallyPrime?
Alt + C can be used to create a master during relevant transaction-entry workflows.
What is the shortcut for printing in TallyPrime?
Alt + P is commonly associated with print functionality.
What is the shortcut for exporting in TallyPrime?
Alt + E is commonly associated with export functionality.
What is the shortcut for importing in TallyPrime?
Alt + O is commonly associated with import functionality.
Are Tally shortcuts difficult to learn?
No. Beginners can learn the most important shortcuts gradually. Start with the function keys for common vouchers, then learn navigation and configuration shortcuts.
Are TallyPrime shortcuts useful for accountants?
Yes. They can reduce repetitive mouse navigation and help accountants work more efficiently, especially when entering many transactions.
25 Most Important Tally Shortcuts to Learn First
If you are a beginner, focus on these shortcuts first:
- F2 – Change Date
- F4 – Contra
- F5 – Payment
- F6 – Receipt
- F7 – Journal
- F8 – Sales
- F9 – Purchase
- F10 – Other Vouchers
- F11 – Company Features
- F12 – Configuration
- Alt + G – Go To
- Alt + C – Create Master
- Alt + E – Export
- Alt + O – Import
- Alt + P – Print
- Alt + K – Company
- Alt + M – Share
- Alt + Y – Data
- Alt + Z – Exchange
- Ctrl + A – Accept
- Ctrl + Enter – Alter Master
- F1 – Company-related selection
- F3 – Company selection
- F10 – Other voucher options
- F12 – Configuration
Final Thoughts
Learning Tally shortcuts is one of the simplest ways to improve efficiency when working with TallyPrime. Function keys can provide quick access to common vouchers, while Alt and Ctrl combinations can help with navigation, master management, printing, exporting, importing, and other accounting tasks.
However, shortcut keys should support accounting knowledge—not replace it. A fast accounting TallyPrime shortcuts entry is only useful when it is accurate.
Start by learning the shortcuts you use most often. Practice them while entering sample transactions, reviewing reports, and managing masters. Over time, these commands can become natural parts of your daily workflow.
For students, shortcuts can make practical exercises easier. For accountants, they can reduce repetitive navigation. For business owners, they can make routine accounting tasks more manageable.
The best strategy is simple: learn a few shortcuts, practice them regularly, and gradually build your own TallyPrime keyboard workflow.
Disclaimer: Shortcut keys and their availability can vary depending on the TallyPrime version, screen, configuration, operating environment, and enabled features. Always check the official TallyPrime documentation or the shortcut information available in your installed version before relying on a specific command for important accounting work.
