Keyboard Shortcut Keys That Boost Your Speed
Published: 29 Jan 2024
Tired of wasting time clicking around your screen just to copy, paste, or undo a mistake? If you’re fed up with slow workflows, it’s time to learn the power of shortcut keys on the computer keyboard. Keyboard shortcuts are like hidden tricks that make your computer do exactly what you want, instantly.
With just a few quick key presses, you can copy, paste, switch windows, take screenshots, and even control apps, without ever touching your mouse. In this blog, you’ll discover the most useful shortcuts for Windows, Mac, browsers, Word, and more. Whether you’re a student, a beginner, or just someone who wants to work smarter, these simple combinations can save you clicks and stress every day. Ready to level up your computer skills? Let’s get started.
Want to test your keyboard for free? Check on our Keyboard Tester.
What Are Keyboard Shortcut Keys?
Shortcut keys are a mix of two or more keys you press at the same time to do something quickly on your computer. Press Ctrl + C to copy text. Ctrl key meaning control.
It’s way faster than right-clicking and choosing “Copy” with your mouse!
Basic keyboard shortcuts we use because:
- Saves time – Quick keys do things faster without clicking around.
- Less hand movement – No need to move between keyboard and mouse.
- Better multitasking – Switch apps, copy text, or close windows without lifting your hands.
What are the Most Common Shortcut Keys on a Computer Keyboard?
Keyboard computer shortcut keys A to Z are powerful combinations of keys that help you perform tasks faster, saving time and effort. Here are some commonly used shortcut keys:
| Shortcut Keys | Function |
|---|---|
| Alt + F4 | Close Current Window |
| CTRL + A | Select all |
| CTRL + B | Bold Text |
| CTRL + C | Copy |
| CTRL +D | Add Bookmark (Browser) |
| CTRL +E | Center Align Text |
| CTRL + F | Find |
| CTRL + G | Go to a Specific Page or Line |
| CTRL +H | Replace |
| CTRL + I | Italicize Text |
| CTRL+ J | Justify text (In Some Text Editors) |
| CTRL + K | Insert or Edit a Hyperlink |
| CTRL + L | Left Align Text ( In Some Text Editors) |
| CTRL + M | Indent Text |
| CTRL + N | New Document or Windows |
| CTRL + O | Open a File |
| CTRL + P | |
| CTRL + Q | Quit or Exit an Application |
| CTRL +R | Refresh a Webpage |
| CTRL + S | Save |
| CTRL + T | Open a New Tab |
| CTRL +U | Underline |
| CTRL +V | Paste |
| CTRL +W | Close Current Tab |
| CTRL+ X | Cut |
| CTRL + Y | Redo |
| CTRL + Z | Undo |
| Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Open Task Manager |
| Ctrl + Shift + T | Reopen Last Closed Tab |
| Ctrl + Left Arrow | Move Cursor One Word Left |
| Ctrl + Right Arrow | Move Cursor One Word Right |
| Ctrl + Home | Move to Beginning of Document |
| Ctrl + End | Move to End of Document |
| Windows + D | Show Desktop |
| Windows + L | Lock Computer |
| Ctrl + Alt + Del | Open Security Options |
| Alt + Tab | Switch Between Open Applications |
What are Microsoft Windows Keyboard Shortcuts?
Shortcut key for keyboard work almost the same in Windows 10 and Windows 11. Ctrl shortcuts are the most common ones you’ll use every day.
| Shortcut Of Keyboard | Process |
|---|---|
| Ctrl +Z | undo the last deleted process |
| Ctrl+Y | Redo the last deleted process |
| CTRL+ A | Select all content or text |
| Ctrl + F | find text or items in a document or browser |
| Ctrl + O | Open an existing document or file. |
| Ctrl W | Close the current window or Tab. |
| Windows + D | Show desktop |
What are Browser Shortcut Keys in Chrome, Edge, and Firefox?
Quick keys shortcuts work in most web browsers like Google Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge. They help you move faster while browsing the internet. Typing shortcuts for the browser are:
| Shortcut Key | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + T | Open a new tab |
| Ctrl + W | Turn off the current tab |
| Ctrl + Shift + T | Open again the last closed tab |
| Ctrl + L | Jump to the address bar |
| Ctrl + D | Pin the current page |
What are Text Formatting Shortcuts in Word and Google Docs?
Want to make your text look neat and professional? These keyboard symbols help you bold, centre, or underline your words quickly, no need to use the mouse! Common Text Formatting Shortcuts are:
| Shortcut Key | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + B | Bold the selected text |
| Ctrl + I | Italicize the text |
| Ctrl + U | Underline the text |
| Ctrl + E | Text aligns to centre |
| Ctrl + L | Text aligns to the left |
| Ctrl + R | Text aligns to the right |
What are the Shortcut Keys in Excel?
MS Excel is a powerful tool. It is mainly used for simple calculations and more complex data analysis. It is ideal for revising or editing data, transforming a single piece of information into a complete, comprehensive sheet. Keyboard shortcut keys for Excel
| Command Keys | What it do |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+Q | Quit or close the current program or application |
| Ctrl+W | Close the current window or Tab. |
| Windows key + D | Show desktop or minimise all open windows. |
| Alt + Tab | switch between open applications or windows. |
| Windows key+L | locked the computer |
| Windows key + E | Open an Explorer on the computer when a file is closed. |
What are the Shortcut Keys in MS Word?
Microsoft Word is a fundamental part of computer software. It creates simple-looking data to polish and organise documents. With shortcuts like Ctrl+S to save your work, Ctrl + C & Ctrl + V to effortlessly copy and paste, and the classic Ctrl+B to add emphasis. It makes typing in MS Word easier and more enjoyable for the user. Let’s check out the table of shortcut keys in MS Word.
| Shortcut Command | What it do |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + O | Open an exciting document or file. |
| Ctrl + S | Save your document or file when you are finished typing. |
| Ctrl + P | Print the document and save the file. |
| Ctrl + C | Copy of the selected text or item. |
| Ctrl + X | Cut the selected item or text |
| Ctrl + V | Paste the copied text or document |
| Ctrl + N | Open a new document or window |
Mac Keyboard Shortcuts
If you’re using a MacBook or iMac, the shortcuts are a little different. Instead of the Ctrl key (used on Windows), Macs use the Command (⌘) key for most tasks. Common Mac Shortcut Keys are:
| Shortcut Key | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Command (⌘) + C | Copy |
| Command (⌘) + V | Paste |
| Command (⌘) + X | Cut |
| Command (⌘) + Z | undo |
| Command (⌘) + A | All select |
| Command (⌘) + S | Save |
| Command (⌘) + Q | Exit the current app |
| Command (⌘) + W | Close current tab/window |
| Command (⌘) + T | Open a new tab in browser |
What are the Shortcut Keys in PowerPoint?
All computer shortcut keys are also used in Microsoft PowerPoint. If you want each command to perform quickly. The table of PowerPoint shortcut keys is as follows:
| Shortcut keys | Process |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + B | Bold the text |
| Ctrl +U | Underline the text |
| Ctrl + I | Italicized text |
| Ctrl + N | Open a new document |
| Ctrl + O | Open an exciting file |
| Ctrl + S | Save the current document |
What are Linux Keyboard Shortcuts?
Using Linux? Many shortcut keys are similar to Windows, but Linux also has some unique ones, especially for file management, switching apps, and using the terminal. Common Linux Shortcut Keys are:
| Shortcut Key | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + Alt + T | Open the Terminal |
| Alt + Tab | Flip between open apps |
| Ctrl + Q | Quit the current app |
| Ctrl + Alt + L | Lock your screen |
| Print Screen | Linux screenshot shortcut |
| Open the command launcher (GNOME desktops) | Open command launcher (GNOME desktops) |
| Ctrl + Alt + Del | Show logout or power options |
File and Window Management
| Shortcut Key | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Super + E | Open File Manager |
| Super + Arrow Keys | Snap windows left/right |
| Ctrl + H | Show hidden files in File Manager |
What are Keyboard Function Keys?
| Keys On Keyboard | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Fn + F2 | Rename a file or folder |
| Fn + F5 | Refresh the current window |
| Fn + Up/Down | Brightness control |
| Fn + F11 | Mute or unmute the volume |
What are Advanced Shortcut Keys?
Once you’re comfortable with the basics, try these advanced shortcut key in the computer to save even more time and boost your productivity.
| Shortcut Key | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Access to the task manager directly |
| Windows + L | Lock your computer |
| Windows + E | Open File Explorer |
| Windows + Arrow Keys | Snap windows to left, right, or maximize |
| Alt + Enter | Open file or folder properties |
| Windows + Tab | Open Task View (shows all windows) |
Advanced Mac Shortcuts
| Shortcut Key | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Command (⌘) + Space | Open Spotlight Search |
| Command (⌘) + Option + Esc | Force quit a frozen app |
| Command (⌘) + Tab | Switch between open apps |
| Command (⌘) + Shift + 4 | MacOS screenshot shortcut |
| Control + Command + Q | Lock your screen |
FAQs
What are the most useful keyboard shortcuts for Google Chrome?
Some top shortcuts are:
Ctrl + T: Open a new tab
Ctrl + W: Shut down tab
Ctrl + Shift + T: open again a closed tab
Ctrl + L: Go to address bar
What are some keyboard shortcuts every programmer should know?
Coders keyboard shortcut use:
Ctrl + /: Comment/uncomment cod
Ctrl + D: Duplicate line
Ctrl + Shift + F: Search in all files
Ctrl + Space: Auto-complete in editors
How to delete a page in Word?
Go to the blank page, press Backspace or Delete until it’s gone.
Use Ctrl + Shift + 8 to show hidden paragraph marks if needed.
How to add a drop-down list in Excel?
Select a cell
Go to the Data tab
Select the Data Validation
Select List
Enter values separated by commas (e.g., Yes, No, Maybe).
What is F6, F7, F8, F9, F10, F11, F12 used for?
F6: Move between panes
F7: Spell check
F8: Select text
F9: Update fields
F10: Show menu bar
F11: Go to the next field
F12: Save As
What are the 20 shortcut keys of MS Word?
Ctrl + S: Save
Ctrl + B: Bold
Ctrl + I: Italic
Ctrl + U: Underline
Ctrl + F: Find
Ctrl + K: Insert link
- Be Respectful
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- Stay Positive
- True Feedback
- Encourage Discussion
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- No Fake News
- Don't Copy-Paste
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- Be Respectful
- Stay Relevant
- Stay Positive
- True Feedback
- Encourage Discussion
- Avoid Spamming
- No Fake News
- Don't Copy-Paste
- No Personal Attacks
