Computer keyboard shortcut keys

Shortcut keys ABCs

Shortcut keys help provide an easier and usually quicker method of navigating and using computer software programs. Shortcut keys are commonly accessed by using the Alt (on IBM compatible computers), command key (on Apple computers), Ctrl, and/or Shift in conjunction with a single letter. The de facto standard for listing a shortcut is listing the modifier key, a plus symbol, and the single character. Or in other words, "ALT+S" is telling you to press the Alt key and while continuing to hold the Alt key, press the S key to perform the shortcut. 

In addition to the shortcuts listed on this page, users can find the shortcut keys to their most popular program by looking for underlined letters in their menus. For example, in the below picture, you can notice that the "F" in File has been underlined. You will then know that you can press the Alt key and F to access the File menu (Note: Some programs require the user press and hold ALT to see the underlined characters). Finally, as you can also see in the below picture some of the common features such as Open and Save have shortcut keys assigned to them. In the below example, pressing Ctrl+O would perform the open for the program.

As you begin to work with shortcut keys you will notice that several applications share the same shortcut keys. We have listed many of these keys in our basic PC shortcut keys section.

Note: Users outside the United States or users using a foreign copy of a Microsoft Windows or Microsoft application may not be able to get all the below shortcut keys to perform the function listed below.

 
 
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Basic PC shortcut keys

The below basic shortcut keys are a listing of shortcut keys that will work with almost all IBM compatible computers and software programs. It is highly recommended that all users keep a good reference of the below short cut keys and/or try to memorize the below keys. Doing so will dramatically increase your productivity.

Shortcut Keys Description
Alt + F File menu options in current program.
Alt + E Edit options in current program
F1 Universal Help in almost every Windows program.
Ctrl + A Select all text.
Ctrl + X Cut selected item.
Shift + Del Cut selected item.
Ctrl + C Copy selected item.
Ctrl + Ins Copy selected item
Ctrl + V Paste
Shift + Ins Paste
 

Home

 Goes to beginning of current line.
Ctrl + Home Goes to beginning of document.
End Goes to end of current line.
Ctrl + End Goes to end of document.
Shift + Home Highlights from current position to beginning of line.
Shift + End Highlights from current position to end of line.
Ctrl + Left arrow Moves one word to the left at a time.
Ctrl + Right arrow Moves one word to the right at a time.

F1 through F12 keys

Commonly known as "function keys", F1 through F12 may have a variety of different uses or no use at all. Depending on the installed operating system and the software program currently open will change how each of these keys operate. A program is capable of not only using each of the function keys, but also combining the function keys with the ALT and/or CTRL keys, for example, Microsoft Windows users can press ALT + F4 to close the program currently active.

Below is a short-listing of some of the common functions of the functions keys on computers running Microsoft Windows. As mentioned above not all programs support function keys and/or may perform different tasks then those mentioned below. If you are looking for more specific shortcut keys and function key examples we suggest seeing our shortcut key page.

F1

  • Almost always used as the help key, almost every program will open the help screen when this key is pressed.
  • Windows Key + F1 would open the Microsoft Windows help and support center.
  • Open the Task Pane.

F2

  • In Windows commonly used to rename a highlighted icon or file.
  • Alt + Ctrl + F2 opens a new document in Microsoft Word.
  • Ctrl + F2 displays the print preview window in Microsoft Word.

F3

  • Often opens a search feature for many programs including Microsoft Windows.
  • Shift + F3 will change the text in Microsoft Word from upper to lower case or a capital letter at the beginning of every word.

F4

  • Open find window.
  • Repeat the last action performed (Word 2000+)
  • Alt + F4 will close the program currently active in Microsoft Windows.
  • Ctrl + F4 will close the open window within the current active window in Microsoft Windows.

F5

  • In all modern Internet browsers pressing F5 will refresh or reload the page or document window.
  • Open the find, replace, and go to window in Microsoft Word.
  • Starts a slideshow in PowerPoint.

F6

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 Mozilla Firefox.

F8

  • Function key used to enter the Windows startup menu, commonly use to get into Windows Safe Mode.

F9

  • Opens the Measurements toolbar in Quark 5.0.

F10

  • In Microsoft Windows activates the menu bar of an open application.
  • Shift + F10 is the same as right-clicking on a highlighted icon, file, or Internet link.

F11

  • Full-screen mode in all modern Internet browsers.

F12

  • Open the Save as window in Microsoft Word.
  • Shift + F12 save the Microsoft Word document.
  • Ctrl + Shift + F12 prints a document in Microsoft Word.

  • Microsoft Windows shortcut keys

    Below is a listing of all the major shortcut keys in Microsoft Windows as well as the versions of Microsoft Windows they're supported in. If you're looking for shortcut keys or information about how to navigate Microsoft Windows using your keyboard instead of the mouse see document CH000791. See our main shortcut page if you're looking for other shortcut keys used in other programs.
    Shortcut Keys 3.x 95 98 ME NT 2000 XP Vista Description
    Alt + Tab X X X X X X X X Switch between open applications.
    Alt + Shift + Tab X X X X X X X X Switch backwards between open applications.
    Alt + double-click   X X X X X X X Display the properties of the object you double-click on. For example, doing this on a file would display its properties.
    Ctrl + Tab X X X X X X X X Switches between program groups or document windows in applications that support this feature.
    Ctrl + Shift + Tab X X X X X X X X Same as above but backwards.
    Alt + Print Screen X X X X X X X X Create a screen shot only for the program you are currently in.
    Ctrl + Alt + Del X X X X X X X X Reboot the computer and/or bring up the Windows task manager.
    Ctrl + Esc X X X X X X X X Bring up the Windows Start menu. In Windows 3.x this would bring up the Task Manager.
    Alt + Esc   X X X X X X X Switch Between open applications on taskbar.
    F1 X X X X X X X X Activates help for current open application.
    F2 X X X X X X X X Renames selected Icon.
    F3   X X X X X X X Starts find from desktop.
    F4   X X X X X X X Opens the drive selection when browsing.
    F5   X X X X X X X Refresh Contents.
    F10 X X X X X X X X Activates menu bar.
    Shift + F10   X X X X X X X Simulates right-click on selected item.
    F4   X X X X X X X Select a different location to browse in the Windows Explorer toolbar.
    Alt + F4 X X X X X X X X Closes Current open program.
    Ctrl + F4 X X X X X X X X Closes Window in Program.
    F6   X X X X X X X Move cursor to different Windows Explorer pane.
    Ctrl + Space bar X X X X X X X X Drops down the window control menu.
    Ctrl + (the '+' key on the keypad)     X X X X X X Automatically adjust the widths of all the columns in Windows explorer
    Alt + Enter   X X X X X X X Opens properties window of selected icon or program.
    Shift + Del   X X X X X X X Delete programs/files without throwing them into the recycle bin.
    Holding Shift X X X X X X X X Boot Safe Mode or by pass system files as the computer is booting.
    Holding Shift   X X X X X X X When putting in an audio CD, will prevent CD Player from playing.
    Enter X X X X X X X X Activates the highlighted program.
    Alt + Down arrow   X X X X X X X Display all available options on drop down menu.
    * (on the keypad)   X X X X X X X Expands all folders on the currently selected folder or drive in Windows Explorer.
    + (on the keypad)   X X X X X X X Expands only the currently selected folder in Windows Explorer.
    - (on the keypad)   X X X X X X X Collapses the currently selected folder in Windows Explorer.
                       

    Windows key keyboard shortcuts

    Below is a listing of Windows keys that can be used on computers running a Microsoft Windows operating system and using a keyboard with a Windows key. In the below list of shortcuts, the Windows key is represented by "WINKEY".

    Shortcut Keys Description
    WINKEY Pressing the Windows key alone will open Start.
    WINKEY + F1 Opens the Microsoft Windows help and support center.
    WINKEY + F3 Opens the Advanced find window in Microsoft Outlook.
    WINKEY + D  Brings the desktop to the top of all other windows.
    WINKEY + M Minimizes all windows.
    WINKEY + SHIFT + M Undo the minimize done by WINKEY + M and WINKEY + D.
    WINKEY + E Open Microsoft Explorer.
    WINKEY + Tab Cycle through open programs through the taskbar.
    WINKEY + F Display the Windows Search / Find feature.
    WINKEY + CTRL + F  Display the search for computers window.
    WINKEY + F1 Display the Microsoft Windows help.
    WINKEY + R Open the run window.
    WINKEY + Pause / Break key  Open the system properties window.
    WINKEY + U Open Utility Manager.
    WINKEY + L Lock the computer (Windows XP and above only).

Microsoft Excel shortcut keys

Below is a listing of all the major shortcut keys in Microsoft Excel. See our main shortcut page if you're looking for other shortcut keys used in other programs.
Shortcut Keys Description
F2 Edit the selected cell.
F5 Goto a specific cell. For example, C6.
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 search box.
Ctrl + A Select all contents of the worksheet.
Ctrl + B Bold highlighted selection.
Ctrl + I Italic highlighted selection.
Ctrl + K Insert link.
Ctrl + U Underline highlighted selection.
Ctrl + 5 Strikethrough highlighted selection.
Ctrl + P Bring up the print dialog box to begin printing.
Ctrl + Z Undo last action.
Ctrl + F9 Minimize current window.
Ctrl + F10 Maximize currently selected window.
Ctrl + F6 Switch between open workbooks / windows.
Ctrl + Page up Move between Excel work sheets in the same Excel document.
Ctrl + Page down Move between Excel work sheets in the same Excel document.
Ctrl + Tab Move between Two or more open Excel files.
Alt + = Create a formula to sum all of the above cells
Ctrl + ' Insert the value of the above cell into cell currently selected.
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 + Arrow key  Move to next section of text.
Ctrl + Space Select entire column.
Shift + Space Select entire row.

Microsoft Word shortcut keys

Below is a listing of all the major shortcut keys in Microsoft Word. See our main shortcut page if you're looking for other shortcut keys used in other programs.
Shortcut Keys Description
Ctrl + A Select all contents of the page.
Ctrl + B Bold highlighted selection.
Ctrl + C Copy selected text.
Ctrl + X Cut selected text.
Ctrl + P Open the print window.
Ctrl + F Open find box.
Ctrl + I Italic highlighted selection.
Ctrl + K Insert link.
Ctrl + U Underline highlighted selection.
Ctrl + V Paste.
Ctrl + Y Redo the last action performed.
Ctrl + Z Undo last action.
Ctrl + L Aligns the line or selected text to the left of the screen.
Ctrl + E Aligns the line or selected text to the center of the screen.
Ctrl + R Aligns the line or selected text to the right of the screen.
Ctrl + M Indent the paragraph.
Ctrl + Shift + F Change the font.
Ctrl + Shift + > Increase selected font +1pts up to 12pt and then increases font +2pts.
Ctrl + ] Increase selected font +1pts.
Ctrl + Shift + < Decrease selected font -1pts if 12pt or lower, if above 12 decreases font by +2pt.
Ctrl + [ Decrease selected font -1pts.
Ctrl + Shift + * View or hide non printing characters.
Ctrl + <left arrow> Moves one word to the left.
Ctrl + <right arrow> Moves one word to the right.
Ctrl + <up arrow> Moves to the beginning of the line or paragraph.
Ctrl + <down arrow> Moves to the end of the paragraph.
Ctrl + Del Deletes word to right of cursor.
Ctrl + Backspace Deletes word to left of cursor.
Ctrl + End Moves the cursor to the end of the document.
Ctrl + Home Moves the cursor to the beginning of the document.
Ctrl + Spacebar Reset highlighted text to the default font.
Ctrl + 1 Single-space lines.
Ctrl + 2 Double-space lines.
Ctrl + 5 1.5-line spacing.
Ctrl + Alt + 1 Changes text to heading 1.
Ctrl + Alt + 2 Changes text to heading 2.
Ctrl + Alt + 3 Changes text to heading 3.
Ctrl + F1 Open the Task Pane.
F1 Open Help.
Alt + Ctrl + F2 Open new document.
Ctrl + F2 Display the print preview.
Shift + F3 Change the text in Microsoft Word from upper to lower case or a capital letter at the beginning of every word.
Shift + Insert Paste.
F4 Repeat the last action performed (Word 2000+)
F5 Open the find, replace, and go to window in Microsoft Word.
Ctrl + Shift + F6 Opens to another open Microsoft Word document.
F7 Spell and grammar check selected text and/or document.
Shift + F7 Runs a Thesaurus check on the word highlighted.
F12 Save as.
Shift + F12 Save.
Ctrl + Shift + F12 Prints the document.
Alt + Shift + D Insert the current date.
Alt + Shift + T Insert the current time.

In addition to the above shortcut keys users can also use their mouse as a method of quickly do something commonly performed. Below some are examples of mouse shortcuts.

Mouse 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.
   

Internet Explorer shortcut keys

Below is a listing of all the major shortcut keys in Microsoft Internet Explorer. See our main shortcut page if you're looking for other shortcut keys used in other programs.
Shortcut Keys Description
Alt + Left Arrow Back a page.
Backspace Back a page.
Alt + Right Arrow Forward a page.
F5 Refresh current page, frame, or tab.
F11 Display the current website in full screen mode. Pressing F11 again will exit this mode.
Esc Stop page or download from loading.
Ctrl + (- or +) Increase or decrease the font size, pressing '-' will decrease and '+' will increase.
Ctrl + Enter Quickly complete an address. For example, type computerhope in the address bar and press CTRL + ENTER to get http://www.computerhope.com.
Ctrl + D Add a Favorite for the page currently opened.
Ctrl + I Display available bookmarks.
Ctrl + N Open New browser window.
Ctrl + P Print current page / frame.
Ctrl + T Opens a new tab.
Ctrl + F4 Closes the currently selected tab.
Ctrl + Tab Moves through each of the open tabs.
Spacebar Moves down a page at a time.
Shift + Spacebar Moves up a page at a time.
Alt + Down arrow Display all previous text entered in a text box and/or available options on drop down menu.

Microsoft FrontPage shortcut keys

Below is a listing of all the major shortcut keys in Microsoft FrontPage. See our main shortcut page if you're looking for other shortcut keys used in other programs.
Shortcut Keys Description
Ctrl + C Copy selected text.
Ctrl + X Cut selected text.
Ctrl + P Paste selected text.
Ctrl + K Create a hyperlink.
Ctrl + B Bold highlighted selection.
Ctrl + I Italic highlighted selection.
Ctrl + U Underline highlighted selection.
Ctrl + L Left align the text.
Ctrl + R Right align the text.
Ctrl + E Center the text.
Ctrl + / Turn on or off the display of HTML tags.
Ctrl + S Save document.
Ctrl + Tab Switch between open web pages.
Ctrl + Ins Enter Line break.
Ctrl + Enter Move cursor above or below a table.
Ctrl + Shift + B Preview in web browser window.
Ctrl + Shift + < Decrease font size.
Ctrl + Shift + > Increase font size.
Ctrl + Del Deletes word to right of cursor.
Ctrl + Backspace Deletes word to left of cursor.
Alt + mouse double-click View the properties of a selected item. For example, doing this on a table cell would display the properties for that cell.

Microsoft Outlook shortcut keys

Below is a listing of all the major shortcut keys in Microsoft Outlook. See our main shortcut page if you're looking for other shortcut keys used in other programs.
Shortcut Keys Description
Alt + S Send the e-mail
Ctrl + C Copy selected text.
Ctrl + X Cut selected text.
Ctrl + P Paste selected text.
Ctrl + K Complete the name and/or e-mail being typed in the e-mail address bar.
Ctrl + B Bold highlighted selection
Ctrl + I Italic highlighted selection
Ctrl + U Underline highlighted selection
Ctrl + R Reply to an e-mail.
Ctrl + F Forward an e-mail.
Ctrl + N Create a new e-mail.
Ctrl + Shift + A Create a new appointment to your calendar.
Ctrl + Shift + O Open the Outbox.
Ctrl + Shift + I Open the Inbox.
Ctrl + Shift + K Add a new task.
Ctrl + Shirt + C Create a new contact.
Ctrl + Shift + J Create a new journal entry.