Computer keyboard shortcuts you need to know

In computing, a keyboard shortcut is a sequence or combination of keystrokes on a computer keyboard which invokes commands in software. Most keyboard shortcuts require the user to press a single key or a sequence of keys one after the other. Other keyboard shortcuts require pressing and holding several keys simultaneously. Keyboard shortcuts may depend on the keyboard layout. Keyboard shortcuts are a common aspect of most modern operating systems and associated software applications.

The use of keyboard shortcuts is pervasive enough that some users consider them an important element of their routine interactions with a computer. Whether used as a matter of personal preference or for adaptive technology, the pervasiveness of common conventions means that a meaningful comparison of keyboard shortcuts can be made across various widely used operating systems.

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Shortcut keys help provide an easier and quicker method of navigating and executing commands in the computer software. Shortcut keys are performed by using the Alt, Command, Ctrl, or Shift keys in conjunction with another key. The de facto standard for listing a shortcut is listing the modifier key, a plus symbol, and another key. In other words, “Ctrl + A” is telling you to press and hold the Ctrl key, and then press the A key at the same time.

Here are the computer keyboard shortcuts that can save your day.

Basic computer shortcut keys

Some commonly used computer shortcuts are highlighted below.

Shortcut keys	Description
Alt + F	File menu options in the current program
Alt + E	Edits options in the current program
F1	Universal help (for any sort of program)
Ctrl + A	Selects all text
Ctrl + X	Cuts the selected item
Ctrl + Del	Cut selected item
Ctrl + C	Copy the selected item
Ctrl + Ins	Copy the selected item
Ctrl + V	Paste the selected item
Shift + Insert	Paste the selected item
Home	Takes the user to the beginning of the current line
Ctrl + Home	Go to the beginning of the document
End	Go to the end of the current line
Ctrl + End	Go to the end of a document
Shift + Home	Highlight from current position to beginning of the line
Shift + End	Highlight from current position to end of the line
Ctrl + Left arrow	Move one word to the left at a time
Ctrl + Right arrow	Move one word to the right at a time

Control key shortcuts

In computer, a control key is a modifier key which, when pressed in conjunction with another key, performs a certain action. The control key rarely performs any function when pressed by itself. The control key is located on or near the bottom left side of most keyboards (in accordance with the international standard ISO/IEC 9995-2), with many featuring an additional one at the bottom right. It is usually labelled “Ctrl” or “control”.

Shortcut keys	Description
Ctrl + A	These two keys will select all text or other objects
Ctrl + B	Bold highlighted text
Ctrl + C	Copy any selected text or another object
Ctrl + D	Bookmark an open web page or open font window in Microsoft Word
Ctrl + E	Center text
Ctrl + F	Open find window
Ctrl + G	Open Find in a browser and word processors.
Ctrl + H	Open the Find and Replace in Notepad, Microsoft Word, and WordPad
Ctrl + I	Italicize text
Ctrl + J	View downloads in browsers and set justify alignment in Microsoft Word
Ctrl + K	Create a hyperlink for the highlighted text in Microsoft Word and many HTML editors
Ctrl + L	Select address bar in a browser or left align text in a word processor
Ctrl + M	Indent selected text in word processors and other programs
Ctrl + N	Create a new page or document
Ctrl + O	Open a file in most programs
Ctrl + P	Open a print window to print the page you’re viewing
Ctrl + R	Reload page in browser or right align text in a word processor
Ctrl + S	Save the document or file
Ctrl + T	Create a new tab in an internet browser or adjust tabs in word processors
Ctrl + U	Underline selected text
Ctrl + V	Paste any text or another object that has been copied
Ctrl + W	Close open tab in a browser or close a document in Word
Ctrl + X	Cut selected text or another object
Ctrl + Y	These keys will redo any undo action
Ctrl + Z	Pressing these two keys will undo any action
Ctrl + End	Moves cursor to the end of a document instead of end of the line
Ctrl + Esc	Open the Windows Start Menu
Ctrl + Tab	Switch between open tabs in browsers or other tabbed programs
Ctrl + Shift + Tab	Will go backwards (right to left)
Ctrl + ⇧ Shift + Z	Redo
Ctrl + [	Decrease font size
Ctrl + ]	Increase font size
Ctrl + =	Toggle font subscript
Ctrl + ⇧ Shift + =	Toggle font superscript
Ctrl + End Bottom	Bottom (end of document or window)
Ctrl + Home	Top (start of document or window)
Ctrl + Insert	Copy
Ctrl + Page down	Next tab
Ctrl + Page up	Ctrl+PgUp Previous tab
Ctrl + Tab ↹	Next window or tab
Ctrl + ⇧ Shift + Tab ↹	Previous window or tab
Ctrl + Left arrow	Previous word
Ctrl + Right arrow	Next word
Ctrl + Delete	Delete next word
Ctrl + Backspace	Delete previous word
Ctrl + Alt + Backspace	Restart X11
Ctrl + Alt + Up arrow	Rotate screen right-side up
Ctrl + Alt + Down arrow	Rotate screen upside down
Ctrl + Alt + Left arrow	Rotate screen left
Ctrl + Alt + Right arrow	Rotate screen right
Ctrl + ⇧ Shift + Esc	Open task manager
Ctrl + Alt + Del	Reboot; Open task manager or session options

Windows key shortcuts

When the Windows key is pressed in conjunction with another key it performs a certain action. Some common Windows key shortcuts are highlighted below.

Shortcut keys	Description
Windows key	Open or close Start Menu
Windows key + A	Open Action Center
Windows key + C	Open Cortana in listening mode
Windows key + D	Display or hide the desktop
Windows key + E	Open File Explorer
Windows key + F	Display the Windows Search/Find feature
Windows key + G	Open Game bar when a game is open
Windows key + H	Open the Share charm
Windows key + I	Open Settings
Windows key + K	Open the Connect quick action
Windows key + L	Lock your PC or switch accounts
Windows key + M	Minimize all windows
Windows key + R	Open Run dialog box
Windows key + S	Open Search
Windows key + U	Open Ease of Access Center
Windows key + X	Open Quick Link menu
Windows key + Shift + M	Undo the minimize done by Windows key + M and Windows key + D
Windows key + Number	Open the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number
Windows key + Tab	Cycle through open programs on the taskbar
Windows key + Left arrow	Snap app windows left
Windows key + Right arrow	Snap app windows right
Windows key + Up arrow	Maximize app windows
Windows key + Down arrow	Minimize app windows
Windows key + ,	Temporarily peek at the desktop
Windows key + Ctrl + D	Add a virtual desktop
Windows key + Ctrl + F	Display the search for computers window
Windows key + Ctrl + Left or Right arrow	Switch between virtual desktops
Windows key + Ctrl + F4	Close current virtual desktop
Windows key + F1	Display the Microsoft Windows help
Windows key + Pause/Break	Open the system properties window
Windows key + Enter	Open Narrator
Windows key + Home	Minimize all but the active desktop window (restores all windows on second stroke)
Windows key + PrtScn	Capture a screenshot and save in Screenshots folder
Windows key + Shift + Up arrow	Stretch the desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen
Windows key + “+” key	Zoom in using the magnifier
Windows key + “-” key	Zoom out using the magnifier

Shortcut keys for special characters

Many special characters can be created using keyboard shortcuts. Here are some of the more common and popular special characters and the keyboard shortcuts to create them.

Shortcut keys	Special character
Alt + 0224	à
Alt + 0232	è
Alt + 0236	ì
Alt + 0242	ò
Alt + 0241	ñ
Alt + 0228	ä
Alt + 0246	ö
Alt + 0252	ü
Alt + 0248	ø
Alt + 0223	ß
Alt + 0198	Æ
Alt + 0231	ç
Alt + 0191	¿
Alt + 0176	° (degree symbol)
Alt + 0177	± (plus/minus symbol)
Alt + 0153	™
Alt + 0169	©
Alt + 0174	®
Alt + 0128	€ (Euro currency)
Alt + 0162	¢ (Cent symbol)
Alt + 0163	£ (British Pound currency)
Alt + 0165	¥ (Japanese Yen currency)

Mouse shortcuts

Users can use their mouse as a method of quickly do something commonly performed. Here are some examples of mouse shortcuts.

Shortcuts	Description
Click, hold, and drag	Selects text from where you click and hold to the point you drag and let go
Double-click	If double-click a word, selects the complete word
Double-click	Double-clicking on the left, center, or right of a blank line will make the alignment of the text left, center, or right aligned
Double-click	Double-clicking anywhere after text on a line will set a tab stop
Triple-click	Selects the line or paragraph of the text the mouse triple-clicked
Ctrl + mouse wheel	Zooms in and out of document

Microsoft Windows shortcuts

Some common Microsoft Windows shortcuts are highlighted below.

Shortcut keys	Description
Alt + Tab	Switch between open applications
Alt + Shift + Tab	Switch backward between open applications
Alt + Print Screen	Create screenshot for the current program
Ctrl + Alt + Del	Reboot/Windows Task Manager
Ctrl + Esc	Open the Start Menu
Ctrl + Shift	Switch the keyboard layout
Ctrl + Shift + Esc	Open Task Manager
Ctrl + Alt +Tab	View open apps
Alt + Tab	Switch between open apps
Alt + Left arrow	Go back
Alt + Right arrow	Go forward
Alt + Page up	Move up one screen
Alt + Page down	Move down one screen
Alt + Esc	Switch between applications on the taskbar
F2	Rename selected icon
F3	Start find from the desktop
F4	Open the drive selection when browsing
F5	Refresh contents
Alt + F4	Close current open program
Ctrl + A	Select all content
Ctrl + C	Copy selected items to clipboard
Ctrl + D	Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin
Ctrl + V	Paste content from clipboard
Ctrl + X	Cut selected items
Ctrl + Y	Redo an action
Ctrl + Z	Undo an action
Ctrl + F4	Close window in program
Ctrl + “+” key	Automatically adjust widths of all columns in Windows Explorer
Alt + Enter	Open properties window of selected icon or program
Shift + F10	Simulate right-click on selected item
Shift + Del	Delete programs/files permanently
Holding Shift during boot up	Boot safe mode or bypass system files
Holding Shift during boot up	When putting in an audio CD, will prevent CD Player from playing

Microsoft Word shortcuts

Some common Microsoft Word shortcuts are highlighted below.

Shortcut keys	Description
Ctrl + A	Select all contents of the page
Ctrl + B	Bold highlighted selection
Ctrl + C	Copy selected text
Ctrl + D	Font options
Ctrl + E	Align selected text or line to the center
Ctrl + F	Open find box
Ctrl + G	Find and replace options
Ctrl + H	Find and replace options
Ctrl + I	Italicize highlighted selection
Ctrl + J	Justify paragraph alignment
Ctrl + K	Insert link
Ctrl + L	Align selected text or line to the left
Ctrl + M	Indent the paragraph
Ctrl + N	Open new/blank document
Ctrl + O	Open options
Ctrl + P	Open the print window
Ctrl + Q	Align selected paragraph to the left
Ctrl + R	Align selected text or line to the right
Ctrl + S	Save
Ctrl + T	Hanging indent
Ctrl + U	Underline highlighted selection
Ctrl + V	Paste
Ctrl + W	Close document
Ctrl + X	Cut selected text
Ctrl + Y	Redo the last action performed
Ctrl + Z	Undo last action
Ctrl + Shift + F	Change the font
Ctrl + Shift + >	Increase selected font +1pts up to 12pt and then increases font +2pts
Ctrl + Shift + <	Decrease selected font -1pts if 12pt or lower, if above 12 decreases font by -2pts
Ctrl + ]	Increase selected font +1
Ctrl + [	Decrease selected font -1
Ctrl + Shift + *	View or hide non printing characters
Ctrl + Left arrow	Move one word to the left
Ctrl + Right arrow	Move one word to the right
Ctrl + Up arrow	Move to the beginning of the line or paragraph
Ctrl + Down arrow	Move to the end of the paragraph
Ctrl + Del	Delete word to the right of the cursor
Ctrl + Backspace	Delete word to the left of the cursor
Ctrl + End	Move cursor to end of the document
Ctrl + Home	Move cursor to the beginning of the document
Ctrl + Spacebar	Reset highlighted text to default font
Ctrl + 1	Single-space lines
Ctrl + 2	Double-space lines
Ctrl + 5	1.5-line spacing
Ctrl + Alt + 1	Change text to heading 1
Ctrl + Alt + 2	Change text to heading 2
Ctrl + Alt + 3	Change text to heading 3
F1	Open help
Shift + F3	Change case of selected text
Shift + Ins	Paste
F4	Repeat the last action performed (Word 2000+)
F7	Spell check selected text and/or document
Shift + F7	Activate the thesaurus
F12	Save as
Shift + F12	Save
Alt + Shift + D	Insert the current date
Alt + Shift + T	Insert the current time

Microsoft Excel shortcuts

Some common Microsoft Excel shortcuts are highlighted below.

Shortcut keys	Description
F2	Edit the selected cell
F5	Go to a specific cell
F7	Spell check selected text and/or document
F11	Create chart
Ctrl + Shift + ;	Enter the current time
Ctrl + ;	Enter the current date
Alt + Shift + F1	Insert new worksheet
Shift + F3	Open the Excel formula window
Shift + F5	Bring up the search box
Ctrl + A	Select all contents of a worksheet
Ctrl + B	Bold highlighted selection
Ctrl + C	Copy selected text
Ctrl + D	Fill
Ctrl + F	Open find and replace options
Ctrl + G	Open go-to options
Ctrl + H	Open find and replace options
Ctrl + I	Italicize highlighted selection
Ctrl + K	Insert link
Ctrl + N	Open new document
Ctrl + O	Open options
Ctrl + P	Open print dialog box
Ctrl + S	Save
Ctrl + U	Underline highlighted selection
Ctrl + V	Paste
Ctrl + W	Close document
Ctrl + Y	Underline selected text
Ctrl + Z	Undo last action
Ctrl + 5	Strikethrough highlighted selection
Ctrl + F9	Minimize current window
Ctrl + F10	Maximize currently selected window
Ctrl + F6	Switch between open workbooks/windows
Ctrl + Page up & Page down	Move between Excel worksheets in the same document
Ctrl + Tab	Move between two or more open Excel files
Alt + =	Create the formula to sum all of the above cells
Ctrl + “+” key	Insert the value of above cell into the current cell
Ctrl + Shift + !	Format number in comma format
Ctrl + Shift + $	Format number in currency format
Ctrl + Shift + #	Format number in date format
Ctrl + Shift + %	Format number in percentage format
Ctrl + Shift + ^	Format number in scientific format
Ctrl + Shift + @	Format number in time format
Ctrl + Right arrow	Move to next section of text
Ctrl + Spacebar	Select entire column
Shift + Spacebar	Select entire row

Microsoft Outlook shortcuts

Some common Microsoft Outlook shortcuts are highlighted below.

Shortcut keys	Description
Alt + S	Send the email
Ctrl + B	Bold highlighted selection
Ctrl + C	Copy selected text
Ctrl + F	Forward an email
Ctrl + I	Italicize highlighted selection
Ctrl + K	Complete name/email typed in address bar
Ctrl + N	Create a new email
Ctrl + P	Open print dialog box
Ctrl + R	Reply to an email
Ctrl + U	Underline highlighted selection
Ctrl + X	Cut selected text
Ctrl + Shift + A	Create a new appointment to your calendar
Ctrl + Shift + C	Create a new contact
Ctrl + Shift + I	Open the inbox
Ctrl + Shift+ J	Create a new journal entry
Ctrl + Shift + K	Add a new task
Ctrl + Shift + O	Open the outbox

Function keys

A function key is a key on a computer or terminal keyboard which can be programmed so as to cause an operating system command interpreter or application program to perform certain actions, a form of soft key. On some keyboards/computers, function keys may have default actions, accessible on power-on. The function keys or F-keys on a computer keyboard are commonly labeled F1 through F12.

In certain instances, they may be combined with the Alt or Ctrl keys. On some smaller keyboards and laptop computers, the F-keys may have a dedicated purpose, such as changing the screen brightness, the volume, or other device-specific functions. On these keyboards, there’s an Fn key that you can hold down to toggle what the F-key does.

F1

Used as the help key in almost every program. When pressed, a help screen opens, or you’re directed to a web page.
Enter BIOS setup as the computer is booting.
Windows key + F1 would open the Microsoft Windows help and support center.
In Excel, press Alt + Shift + F1 to create a new worksheet tab.
Open the Task Pane.
Pressing Ctrl + F1 runs a spell check in Corel WordPerfect.

F2

In Microsoft Windows, renames a highlighted icon, file, or folder in all versions of Windows.
In Microsoft Excel, edits the active cell.
Alt + Ctrl + F2 opens the open document window in Microsoft Word and allows you to select a document to open in Word.
Ctrl + F2 displays the print preview window in Microsoft Word.
Enter BIOS setup as the computer is booting.

F3

Often opens a search feature for many programs, including Microsoft Windows, when at the Windows desktop on Windows 7 and lower.
In some programs, after an initial search is performed, F3 finds the next search value.
In MS-DOS or Windows command line, F3 repeats the last command entered.
In Microsoft Word, Ctrl + F3 lowercases any highlighted text.
Shift + F3 changes the text in Microsoft Word from upper to lowercase or a capital letter at the beginning of every word.
Windows key + F3 opens the Advanced find window in Microsoft Outlook.
In Windows Explorer, start the search function.
Open Mission Control on an Apple computer running the macOS X operating system.

F4

Open find window in Windows 95 to XP.
Open the address bar in Windows Explorer and Internet Explorer.
Repeat the last action performed (Word 2000+).
Alt + F4 closes the program window currently active in Microsoft Windows.
Ctrl + F4 closes the open window or tab in the active window in Microsoft Windows.
While in the Excel formula box, pressing F4 switches between an absolute and relative cell reference.

F5

In all modern Internet browsers, pressing F5 refreshes or reloads the page or document window.
Ctrl + F5 forces a complete refresh of the web page, clearing the cache and downloading all contents of the page again.
Refresh the list of contents in a folder.
Open the find, replace, and go to window in Microsoft Word.
Pressing F5 starts a slideshow in PowerPoint from the first slide. Pressing Shift + F5 starts the slideshow from the currently active slide.
Pressing F5 when the computer is first loading MS-DOS loads the default settings.

F6

Move the cursor to the address bar in Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and most other internet browsers.
Ctrl + Shift + F6 opens to another open Microsoft Word document.

F7

Commonly used to spell check and grammar check a document in Microsoft programs such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, etc.
Shift + F7 runs a Thesaurus check on the word highlighted.
Turns on Caret Browsing in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.
Open the Layers panel in Adobe Photoshop.
While in the Windows command line, press the F7 to view a history of all the commands entered in that window.

F8

Function key used to enter the Windows startup menu, commonly used to access Windows Safe Mode.
Used by some computers to access the Windows recovery system, but may require a Windows installation CD.
Displays a thumbnail image for all workspaces in macOS.
Pressing the F8 key opens the Replace window in TextPad.

F9

Refresh document in Microsoft Word.
Send and receive e-mail in Microsoft Outlook.
Opens the Measurements toolbar in Quark 5.0.
Using the Fn key and F9 at the same time opens Mission Control on an Apple computer running the macOS X operating system.

F10

In most Microsoft Windows programs, by default, F10 activates the menu bar or Ribbon of an open application.
Shift + F10 is the same as right-clicking on a highlighted icon, file, or internet link.
Access the hidden recovery partition on Compaq, HP, and Sony computers.
Enter BIOS setup as the computer is booting.
With macOS 10.3 or later, shows all open Windows for the active program.

F11

Enter and exit fullscreen mode in all modern internet browsers.
Ctrl + F11 as the computer is starting to access the hidden recovery partition on many Dell computers.
Pressing F11 by itself accesses the hidden recovery partition on eMachines, Gateway, and Lenovo computers.
With macOS 10.4 or later, hides all open windows and shows the desktop.

F12

Open the Save as window in Microsoft Word.
Ctrl + F12 opens a document in Word.
Shift + F12 saves the Microsoft Word document (like Ctrl+S).
Ctrl + Shift + F12 prints a document in Microsoft Word.
Open Firebug, Chrome Developer Tools, or other browsers debug tool.
With an Apple running macOS 10.4 or later, F12 shows or hides the Dashboard.
Preview a page in Microsoft Expression Web.
Access the list of bootable devices on a computer at startup, allowing you to select a different device to boot from (e.g., hard drive, CD or DVD drive, floppy drive, USB drive, and network).