F1 to F12 Shortcut Keys in Tally Prime – Complete Beginner Guide

Are you learning Tally Prime but still using the mouse for every small task?

Do voucher entries take too much time during practice or office work?

If yes, then learning Tally Prime shortcut keys can completely change your working speed and productivity.

In Tally Prime, the F1 to F12 function keys help users perform accounting tasks quickly without navigating through multiple menus. Whether you are a student, beginner accountant, office executive, or job seeker, these shortcuts are essential for fast and professional work.

In this detailed guide, you will learn all F1 to F12 shortcut keys in Tally Prime with practical examples, real-life scenarios, and beginner-friendly explanations.

What Are F1 to F12 Shortcut Keys in Tally Prime?

Function keys (F1 to F12) in Tally Prime are keyboard shortcuts designed to perform important accounting actions instantly.

These keys help you:

• Create voucher entries faster
• Switch between companies
• Change dates quickly
• Enable GST settings
• Access configuration options
• Manage reports efficiently

In simple words:

“Shortcut keys help accountants work faster, smarter, and more professionally.”

Why are Shortcut Keys Important in Tally Prime?

Today, companies expect accountants to work quickly and accurately.

If you know Tally shortcut keys:

• Your data entry speed improves
• Work becomes easier
• Errors reduce significantly
• Productivity increases
• You look more professional in interviews and offices

Do You Know?

Many accounting interviews include practical tests where shortcut keys are checked.

Complete List of F1 to F12 Shortcut Keys in Tally Prime

Now let’s understand every shortcut key one by one with examples.

F1 Key – Select Company

What Does It Do?

The F1 key is used to select or switch between companies.

When Is It Used?

When multiple companies are created in Tally Prime.

Example

Suppose you manage two businesses:

• ABC Traders
• XYZ Stationery

To switch between them quickly, press F1.

Benefits

• Faster company switching
• Saves time
• No need to use the mouse repeatedly

F2 Key – Change Date

What Does It Do?

The F2 key changes the current working date.

Example

Suppose today’s date is 11 May 2026, but you want to enter a voucher for 1 April 2026.

Steps:

1. Press F2
2. Enter the required date
3. Press Enter

Real-Life Use

Very useful for:

• Backdated entries
• Salary entries
• GST-related work
• Month-end accounting

F3 Key – Company Information

What Does It Do?

F3 opens company-related options.

Available Options

• Create Company
• Alter Company
• Shut Company
• Backup

Practical Example

If you want to change the company address:

• Press F3
• Choose Alter Company

F4 Key – Contra Voucher

What Is Contra Voucher?

Contra Voucher is used for cash and bank transactions.

Examples

• Cash deposited into bank
• ATM withdrawal
• Cash transferred between bank accounts

Shortcut

Press F4

Practical Example Table

F5 Key – Payment Voucher

What Does It Do?

F5 is used when making payments.

Examples

• Office rent payment
• Electricity bill payment
• Employee salary payment

Shortcut:  Press F5

Example Entry

F6 Key – Receipt Voucher

What Does It Do?

F6 is used when money is received.

Examples

• Customer payment received
• Interest income received
• Commission received

Shortcut: Simply Press F6

Important Tip

Do not confuse Payment and Receipt vouchers.

• Money paid → F5
• Money received → F6

F7 Key – Journal Voucher

What Does It Do?

F7 is used for adjustment entries.

Common Uses

• Depreciation
• Outstanding expenses
• Transfer entries
• Adjustment entries

Shortcut: Just Press F7

Real-Life Example

Used heavily during year-end accounting adjustments.

F8 Key – Sales Voucher

What Does It Do?

F8 is used for sales entries.

Example

Suppose you sold products worth ₹25,000 to a customer.

Simply press F8 to open the Sales Voucher screen.

Example Table

F9 Key – Purchase Voucher

What Does It Do?

F9 is used for purchase entries.

Example

You purchased goods from a supplier.

Shortcut: Press F9

Example Table

F10 Key – Memorandum Voucher

In some versions of Tally Prime, F10 is used for Memorandum Vouchers.

What Is It Used For?

Temporary or optional entries.

Example

Creating provisional adjustment notes before final posting.

F11 Key – Features

What Does It Do?

F11 opens company feature settings.

Features Available

• GST
• Inventory
• Payroll
• Cost Center

Example

To enable GST:

1. Press F11
2. Turn on GST settings

Common Beginner Mistake

Many beginners forget to enable GST before starting entries.

F12 Key – Configuration

What Does It Do?

F12 opens configuration settings.

Available Options

• Voucher configuration
• Printing settings
• Display settings

Example

You can decide whether narration should appear during voucher entry.

F1 to F12 Shortcut Keys Summary Table

Practical Office Scenario – Real Use of Shortcut Keys

Imagine you work as an accountant in a stationery shop.

In a single day, you may need to:

• Deposit cash into bank → F4
• Pay electricity bill → F5
• Receive customer payment → F6
• Create sales invoice → F8
• Enter purchase bill → F9
• Check GST settings → F11

Without shortcut keys, all these tasks become slower and more tiring.

Common Mistakes Beginners Make

1. Selecting Wrong Voucher Type, Using Sales Voucher instead of Purchase Voucher.
2. Forgetting to Change Date, Entries get recorded under the wrong accounting date.
3. GST Not Enabled, Many users forget to activate GST in F11 settings.
4. Overusing the Mouse, Professional accountants rely heavily on keyboard shortcuts.

Pro Tips for Faster Tally Work

Tip 1: Practice Daily

Daily practice helps you memorize shortcuts naturally.

Tip 2: Keep a Shortcut List Nearby

Paste a shortcut chart near your monitor.

Tip 3: Practice in a Dummy Company

This removes the fear of making mistakes.

Tip 4: Use Keyboard More Than Mouse

This improves your speed significantly over time.

Shortcut Keys vs Mouse Working in Tally Prime

Why Students and Job Seekers Must Learn These Shortcuts

If you are:

• Learning accounting
• Preparing for office jobs
• Studying Tally Prime
• Applying for accountant roles

Then shortcut keys are extremely important.

Many companies conduct practical speed tests during hiring.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the use of F2 key in Tally Prime?
   F2 is used to change the working date.
2. Which shortcut key opens Sales Voucher?
   F8 opens the Sales Voucher screen.
3. How do I enable GST in Tally Prime?
   Press F11 and enable GST features.
4. Which key is used for Payment Voucher?
   F5 is used for Payment Voucher.
5. Which shortcut keys are used most in Tally Prime?
   F5, F6, F8, and F9 are commonly used.
6. Do shortcut keys improve accounting speed?
   Yes, shortcut keys significantly improve working speed and efficiency.
7. Should beginners memorize all shortcut keys?
   Yes, because they are used daily in practical accounting work.

Conclusion

Learning F1 to F12 shortcut keys in Tally Prime is one of the best ways to improve your accounting speed and efficiency.

These shortcuts help you:

• Save time
• Work professionally
• Reduce errors
• Improve productivity
• Perform better in interviews and jobs

Start practicing these shortcut keys daily, and within a few weeks, your Tally Prime workflow will become much faster and smoother.