What's the Alt+F4 Equivalent on a Mac?
Quick answer: Use ⌘Q to quit an app (the true Alt+F4 equivalent) and ⌘W to close just the current window or workbook. On a Mac an app can keep running with no windows open, so the two are not interchangeable. If an app is frozen, press ⌥⌘Esc for Force Quit.
Why a Mac needs two shortcuts where Windows needs one
On Windows, closing the last window usually quits the program. On a Mac, applications and windows are separate: closing every window with ⌘W often leaves the app running, with its menu bar still at the top of the screen. ⌘Q is what actually quits it.
| Windows | Mac | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Alt+F4 | ⌘Q | Quits the whole application |
| Ctrl+F4 / Ctrl+W | ⌘W | Closes the front window or document |
| Ctrl+Alt+Delete → Task Manager | ⌥⌘Esc | Opens Force Quit Applications |
| Win+D | ⌘H or F11 | Hide app / show desktop |
Which one you want
Done with the document, not the app? Press ⌘W. In Excel this closes the workbook and prompts to save.
Done with the app entirely? Press ⌘Q. In Excel this closes every workbook and quits.
App not responding? Press ⌥⌘Esc, select the app, click Force Quit. You can also hold ⌥ and right-click the Dock icon, then choose Force Quit.
Excel-specific notes
Excel for Mac keeps running after the last workbook closes, showing only the gallery or a blank state. That is normal. ⌘Q fully quits it. If unsaved changes exist, Excel prompts before quitting. For the rest of the window and file shortcuts, see the Complete Mac Excel shortcut cheat sheet.
Quit, close, hide, minimize: four different actions
Windows folds these into a few shortcuts. macOS keeps them separate, and Apple documents each one:
Quit the app: ⌘Q.
Close the front window: ⌘W. To close all windows of the app, press ⌥⌘W.
Hide the app: ⌘H hides the windows of the front app, and ⌥⌘H keeps the front app visible while hiding all the others.
Minimize to the Dock: ⌘M for the front window, or ⌥⌘M for all windows of the front app.
Hiding is the one with no direct Windows equivalent. The app keeps running and keeps its windows, they simply disappear until you switch back to the app.
Other Windows habits and their Mac versions
Ctrl+Shift+Esc (Task Manager): press ⌥⌘Esc to open Force Quit Applications.
Win+L (lock the PC): press ⌃⌘Q to lock your screen.
Win+D (show the desktop): see the table above. Apple's ⌥⌘H hides every app except the one in front.
How to tell whether an app is still running
Closing every window does not quit a Mac app. Look at the app name next to the Apple menu at the top of the screen, which shows the app that currently has focus. By default the Dock also shows a small indicator under apps that are running. If you want it gone, press ⌘Tab to bring it forward and then ⌘Q.
What happens to unsaved work
⌘Q asks the app to quit, so apps with unsaved changes show a save prompt first. Force Quit does not give the app a chance to save, so use it only when the app is not responding. Excel for Mac behaves the same way: it prompts for each workbook with unsaved changes before it quits.
Common mistakes
Pressing ⌘W expecting the app to quit. It usually will not — check the menu bar to see what app still has focus.
Holding ⌥ and pressing F4. On a Mac F4 opens Spotlight or Launchpad on many keyboards; it is not a close shortcut.
Force quitting when a save prompt is waiting. Force Quit discards unsaved work. Try ⌘Q first and answer the prompt.
FAQs
Is there a single key like F4 that closes a Mac window?
No. The Mac convention is ⌘W for windows and ⌘Q for apps. You can add a custom shortcut in System Settings, but the modifier-based ones are standard everywhere.
What is Ctrl+Alt+Delete on a Mac?
Press ⌥⌘Esc to open Force Quit Applications — the closest equivalent for dealing with a stuck app.
Does ⌘Q save my work?
It prompts you. Most apps, Excel included, ask to save unsaved changes before quitting.
How do I close all windows of an app at once?
Press ⌥⌘W. It closes every window of the front app but leaves the app running. Press ⌘Q if you also want it to quit.
What is the Mac version of Win+L?
⌃⌘Q locks your screen.
How do I know if ⌘W or ⌘Q is the right one?
If you are finished with the document but may want the app again soon, use ⌘W. If you are done with the app and want it out of memory, use ⌘Q.