Through observation we’ve come to learn that there really are only two types of computer users – those who rely heavily on keyboard commands, and those who rely on the mouse.
While neither input type is incorrect, as both will probably yield the same results in the end, learning to rely on the keyboard for as much input as possible tends to make the actually process of using the computer faster. That’s because you’re not interrupting typing flow to grab the mouse, instead, just enter the shortcut key for the command, and the software does the rest.
Which is why we love shortcut keys, because they enable us to do our jobs more efficiently, will little extra effort.
Here are a few of our favorite Microsoft Word Shortcut Keys. Learn these, and you might not have to fumble around the Ribbon looking for things anymore. (The Ribbon is the menu bar across the top in Office 2007 – 2013.)
Note: * denotes a common shortcut used in most PC software.
- ALT + F4: Exits Microsoft Word.
- CTRL + A: Select all. *
- CTRL + B: Bolds selected text. *
- CTRL + C: Copies the selection to the clipboard. *
- CTRL + E: Centers selected paragraph.
- CTRL + F: Find – searched the active document for the specified information. *
- CTRL + I: Italicizes selected text. *
- CTRL + J: Justifies selected text.
- CTRL + L: Left aligns selected text.
- CTRL + M: Indent selected paragraph from the left.
- CTRL + N: Opens a new document. *
- CTRL + O: Opens a previously saved document. *
- CTRL + P: Prints the active file, print options will appear first to confirm before printing. *
- CTRL + R: Right align paragraph for selected text.
- CTRL + S: Saves the document. *
- CTRL + T: Create an hanging indent for selected text.
- CTRL + U: Underlines selected text. *
- CTRL + V: Paste – inserts the copied / cut content into the desired location. *
- CTRL + W: Closes the active window, but leaves Word open.
- CTRL + X: Cut – removes the selection from the document and places it on the clipboard. *
- CTRL + Y: Redo the previous action. *
- CTRL + Z: Undo the last action. *
- CTRL + 1: Single space lines for selected text.
- CTRL + 2: Double space lines for selected text.
- CTRL + 5: Set line spacing to 1.5 for selected text.
- CTRL + Backspace: Delete one entire word/character to the left.
- CTRL + Delete: Deletes one entire word/character to the right.
- CTRL + End: Moves the cursor to the end of the document.
- CTRL + Home: Moves the cursor to the beginning of the document.
- CTRL + Shift ++: Apply Superscript formatting to selected text.
- CTRL + =: Apply Subscript formatting to selected text.
- CTRL + Shift + C: Copy formats.
- CTRL + Shift + D: Double underline text.
- CTRL + Shift + T: Reduce a hanging indent for selected text.
- CTRL + Shift + V: Past Formats
- CTRL + Shift + W: Underlines words, but not spaces.
- CTRL + Shift+>: Increases font size of selected text.
- CTRL + Shift+<: Decreases font size of selected text.
- CTRL+]: Increases selected text one point.
- CTRL+[: Decreases selected text one point.
- Shift+F3: Changes the case of the selected text.
- Shift + Left Arrow Key: If text is already selected, will extend selection one character to the left.
- Shift + Right Arrow Key: If text is already selected, will extend selection one character to the right.
- CTRL + Shift + Left Arrow Key: If text is already selected, will extend selection to the beginning of a word.
- CTRL + Shift + Right Arrow Key: If text is already selected, will extend selection to the end of a word.
If you want to learn shortcut keys for other software, checkout our other shortcut posts:
Julie Strier is a freelance writer who wants to help you use your technology smarter and faster. Email: [email protected]. Website: www.mybusinesswriter.com.