Using keyboard shortcuts can greatly increase your productivity, reduce repetitive strain, and help keep you focused. For example, to copy text, you can highlight text and press the Ctrl+C shortcut. The shortcut is faster than moving your hands from the keyboard, highlighting with the mouse, right-clicking, selecting copy, and returning to the keyboard.
The above-mentioned computer shortcut keys list is very useful for regular PC users. People working in IT/ITES and other computer-related jobs should learn these shortcuts. For effective production, an employee must know computer keyboard keys and their functions. Keyboard shortcuts are keys or combinations of keys that provide an alternative way to do something that you’d typically do with a mouse. Click an option below, and it'll open to display a table of related shortcuts: Copy, paste, and other general keyboard shortcuts Windows logo key keyboard shortcuts.
Keyboard shortcuts are keys or combinations of keys that provide an alternate way to do something you'd typically do with a mouse. Here are several common keyboard shortcuts: Copy: Ctrl + C. Paste: Ctrl + V. Maximize Window: F11 or Windows logo key + Up Arrow Task View: Windows logo key + Tab. Switch between open apps: Windows. Briefly, a keyboard shortcut is a series or combination of one or several keys that invoke a software program to perform a pre-programmed action. This action may be part of the standard functionality of the operating system or application program, or it may have been written by the user in a scripting language.
Below are the top 10 keyboard shortcuts we recommend everyone memorize and use.
Ctrl+C or Ctrl+Insert and Ctrl+X
Both Ctrl+C and Ctrl+Insert will copy highlighted text or a selected item. If you want to cut an item instead of copying it, press Ctrl+X. This action removes the text or item and stores it in the clipboard , rather than copying it to the clipboard.
Apple computer users can substitute the Ctrl key for the Command on their computers. For example, pressing Command+C copies highlighted text.
Ctrl+V or Shift+Insert
Both the Ctrl+V and Shift+Insert will paste the text or object that's stored in the clipboard.
On Apple computers, use Command+V instead.
Practice
Use the above text input fields to highlight the 'Cut or copy this text' text and press either Ctrl+C to copy or Ctrl+X to cut the text. Once cut, move to the next field and press Ctrl+V or Shift+Insert to paste the text. For further demonstration, visit the following link.
Shortcuts On Computer
Ctrl+Z and Ctrl+Y
Pressing Ctrl+Z will undo any change. For example, if you cut text, pressing this key combination will undo the cut. These shortcuts can also be pressed multiple times to undo or redo multiple changes. Pressing Ctrl+Y would redo the undo.
On Apple computers, use Command+Z and Command+Y to undo and redo.
Use the above text input field to highlight some or all the text and then press Ctrl+X to cut the text. Once the text has disappeared, press the Ctrl+Z to undo the cut.
TipIf you did the first example as well (cut and paste text) and you continue to press Ctrl+Z, it will undo that change.
Ctrl+F and Ctrl+G
Pressing Ctrl+F opens the Find field, which allows you to search the text currently displayed in any program that supports it. For example, Ctrl+F can be used in your Internet browser to find text on the current page. Press Ctrl+F now to open the Find in your browser and search for 'shortcut' to display each time shortcut is mentioned on this page.
On Apple computers, use Command+F to find.
Ctrl+G may be used to repeat a search (from using Ctrl+F) in a document or on a web page.
Alt+Tab or Ctrl+Tab
Pressing Alt+Tab switches between open programs moving forward. For example, if you have your browser window open and other programs running in the background, press and hold Alt, then press the Tab key to cycle through each open program.
On Apple computers, instead of using the Alt key use the Command (Cmd) key. For example, Command+Tab to switch between open programs.
Bonus TipPress Ctrl+Tab to switch between tabs in a program. For example, if you have multiple tabs open in your Internet browser, press Ctrl+Tab to switch between them.
Bonus TipAdding the Shift key to Alt+Tab or Ctrl+Tab moves backward. For example, if you are pressing Alt+Tab and pass the program you want to use, press Alt+Shift+Tab to move back to that program.
Bonus TipWindows Vista, 7, 8, and 10 users can also press the Windows key+Tab to switch through open programs in a full screenshot of the window.
Ctrl+Backspace and Ctrl+Left or Right arrow
NoteThe following shortcuts are for PC users only and do not work on Apple computers.
Pressing Ctrl+Backspace deletes a full word at a time instead of a single character.
Holding down the Ctrl while pressing the left or right arrow moves the cursor one word at a time instead of one character at a time. If you want to highlight one word at a time, hold down Ctrl+Shift, then press the left or right arrow key. Your highlighted selection moves one word at a time in that direction.
Ctrl+S
While working on a document or another file in almost every program, pressing Ctrl+Ssaves that file. Use this shortcut key frequently when working on anything important in case of an error, lost power, or any other issues causing you to lose work since the last save.
On Apple computers, use Command+S to save a file.
Ctrl+Home or Ctrl+End
Ctrl+Home moves the cursor to the beginning of the document, and Ctrl+End moves the cursor to the end of a document. These shortcuts work with most documents, and web pages.
On Apple computers, use the Command+Up arrow to get to the beginning or Command+Down arrow to get to the end of a document or text.
Ctrl+P
Ctrl+P is used to open a print preview of the page or document currently being viewed. For example, press Ctrl+P now to view a print preview of this page.
On Apple computers, use Command+P to open the print preview.
Page Up, Spacebar, and Page Down
As you may have guessed, pressing either the Pg Up or Pg Dn key moves to the next or previous page. When browsing the Internet, pressing the spacebar moves the scrollbar down a page. Similarly, Shift+spacebar moves the scrollbar up one page.
Additional information
- See our keyboard definition for a further information and related link on computer keyboards.
Learning Objectives
- Use keyboard shortcuts to perform tasks.
A keyboard shortcut is a series of keys you can press to complete a computer command. As a common convention, keys that are meant to be pressed at the same time are joined by a + in written text. For example, Ctrl+S means you should press the Ctrl and S keys at the same time.
There are many, many keyboard shortcuts. However, you will probably only need to use a few. We will use many of these shortcuts throughout the course.
Most Commonly Used Shortcuts
Command | Shortcut | Explanation |
---|---|---|
Cut | Ctrl+X | Copies and removes an item or text; used with Paste |
Copy | Ctrl+C | Copies an item or text; used with Paste |
Paste | Ctrl+V | Inserts the last cut or copied item or text |
Select All | Ctrl+A | Selects all text or items |
Undo | Ctrl+Z | Undoes the last action |
Redo | Ctrl+Y | Redoes the last thing undone |
Troubleshoot/Force Quit | Ctrl+Alt+Delete | Opens Task Manager (see note) |
Close window | Alt+F4 | Closes window; shuts down computer if all windows are closed |
New | Ctrl+N | Opens a new window, tab, or document |
Open | Ctrl+O | Opens a file or document |
Save | Ctrl+S | Saves a file |
Find | Ctrl+F | Opens search tools; in most programs, opens a search box to find specific words on a page |
Note: Cut vs. Copy
Cutting and copying can be used on files, folders, and text. Both are followed by the Paste command. So what’s the difference between cutting and copying?
The cut command removes the selected data from its original position, while the copy command creates a duplicate; in both cases the selected data is kept in a temporary storage tool called the clipboard. The data in the clipboard is later inserted in the position where the paste command is issued. The data is available to any application supporting the feature, thus allowing easy data transfer between applications.
Think of using scissors to cut out a line of text on a printed sheet of paper and pasting it onto another sheet of paper. The line is no longer part of the original piece of paper when you cut it out. Now think of using a copy machine to copy the sheet of paper. The line of text is still on the original sheet of paper.
Note: Ctrl+Alt+Delete
Ctrl+Alt+Delete is a useful tool for terminating crashed programs or shutting down a frozen computer. Ctrl+Alt+Delete interrupts whatever your computer is doing and allows you to shut down your computer or access the Task Manager. The Task Manager shows every program currently being used and allows you to close unresponsive programs or background tasks.
The Windows 10 Ctrl+Alt+Delete screen. (Click the image to enlarge.) | Windows 10 Task Manager. To close a program, select the program then click End task. |
Overview of Keys
Below is a diagram of the keyboard with some keys labeled. Do not be worried if your keyboard does not match the diagram or does not have exactly the same keys.
Control Key
The control key, or Ctrl key, is essential to many common shortcuts. It does not do anything when pressed by itself, but when pressed at the same time as other keys, it can modify the other key’s function.
Alt Key
The alt key, or alternate key, triggers an alternate use for keys. For example, many special characters (characters not commonly found on the keyboard, such as ¿ or ¢) are available when pressing Alt and the right series of numbers. Like the control key, the alt key is also essential to many common shortcuts.
Windows Key
The Windows key (also known as Win key, start key, or home) causes the start menu to open. The logo may vary slightly from the design in the diagram above. If the Windows key is missing, Ctrl+Esc can serve the same function.
This logo was used from 2012 to the present. |
Menu Key
Shortcut Keys Of Computer Microsoft Word
The menu key, or application key, is usually represented by a small icon depicting a pointer hovering above a menu. It is typically found on the right side of the keyboard between the right Windows logo key and the right control key (or between the right alt key and the right control key). The menu key is frequently omitted in the interest of space, particularly on portable and laptop keyboards. The key’s primary function is to launch a context menu with the keyboard rather than with the usual right-mouse button. It can be used when the right-mouse button is not present on a mouse.
Escape Key
The escape key, or Esc, is at the top-left corner of the keyboard. It can be used as a shortcut in dialog boxes to close programs.
Print Screen Key
The print screen key, or Prt Sc key, is used for taking screenshots. Pressing Prt Sc will take a snapshot of the entire screen, and pressing Prt Sc+Alt will take a snapshot of just the currently selected window. The default save location of screenshots taken is C:Users<user name>PicturesScreenshots.
Practice Question
More Shortcuts (If You Really Want Them)
For a full list of Windows shortcuts, consult Microsoft’s list of shortcuts.