What is a Keyboard Shortcut?
A keyboard shortcut is a key or combination of keys providing quick access to a particular function within a computer program. The combination usually uses a "modifier key" plus another key in a specific sequence. Common modifiers include:
- Shift (or an upwards arrow ⇧)
- Control ⌃ (sometimes spelt Ctrl)
- Alternative or ⌥ (sometimes spelt Alt)
- The Windows Logo or ⌘ Command Key
(the former is for Windows keyboards with the latter for Mac)
- Function (sometimes spelt Fn)
Tech Savvy Tips and Tricks: Keyboard Shortcuts
Mac Keyboard Shortcuts
The Command key, ⌘, formerly also known as the Apple key or open Apple key, is the modifier key present on Apple keyboards.
- ⌘+X: Cut the selected item and copy it to the Clipboard.
- ⌘+C: Copy the selected item to the Clipboard.
- ⌘+V: Paste the contents of the Clipboard into the current document or app.
- ⌘+Z: Undo the previous command. You can then press Shift-Command-Z to Redo, reversing the undo command. In some apps, you can undo and redo multiple commands.
- ⌘+A: Select All items.
- ⌘+F: Find items in a document or open a Find window.
- ⌘+P: Print the current document.
- ⌘+S: Save the current document.
- ⌘+O: Open the selected item, or open a dialog to select a file to open.
- ⌘+T: Open a new tab.
- Option+⌘+Esc: Force quit an app.
- Control+⌘+Space bar: Show the Character Viewer, from which you can choose emoji and other symbols.
- Control+⌘+F: Use the app in full screen, if supported by the app.
- Space bar: Use Quick Look to preview the selected item.
- ⌘-Tab: Switch to the next most recently used app among your open apps.
PC Keyboard Shortcuts
The Control key, ctrl (sometimes ⌃), is the modifier key present on Windows keyboards.
- Ctrl+X: Cut the selected item and copy it to the Clipboard.
- Ctrl+C: Copy the selected item to the Clipboard.
- Ctrl+V: Paste the contents of the Clipboard into the current document or app.
- Ctrl+Z: Undo an action.
- Ctrl+A: Select all the items in a document or window.
- Ctrl+Y: Redo an action.
- Ctrl+F: Find on current page
- Ctrl+B: to bold text
- Ctrl+I: to italicise text
- Ctrl+U: to underline text
- Ctrl+H: show your online history
- Ctrl+T: open a new tab in your web browser
- Ctrl+Tab: scroll through the tabs on your web browser
- F2: Rename the selected item.
- F5: Refresh the active window.
- Windows Logo+D: Show your desktop (Windows)
- Windows Logo+L: Lock your PC.
- Windows Logo+M: Minimise all windows.
- Windows Logo+S: Open search.
- Windows Logo+M: Minimise all windows.
- Windows Logo+V: Open the clipboard.
- Windows Logo+. or Windows Logo+; : Open emoji panel.
Some useful tips (courtesy of the Cambridge SeniorNet newsletter)
- When viewing an exceptionally long web page and you want to go back to the top. instead of scrolling all the way back up, press the HOME key.
- If you want to go to the bottom of the page, instead of scrolling all the way down to the
bottom, just press the END key. (Note - Use the Home and End keys on the top row of your keyboard not the ones on the number pad.)
- Here’s a really easy way to highlight a large block of text. Put your cursor at the beginning of the block of text to be highlighted, and left-click. Now, while holding down the Shift key, left click at the end of the block of text. The whole block is highlighted. Very useful for selecting text in the middle of a document.
More Handy Keyboard Shortcuts
(For Windows OS. Swap CTRL for Apple's Command key):
- Create Browser Shortcuts – Create a bookmark for the applications that need to be accessed daily by navigating to the page you want to save and click Ctrl+D or click the “Star” next to the website address. Name the bookmark with a clear title. Now you have a quick link to access, so you don’t have to remember where to go each morning.
- Reduce or increase the font size or a webpage - Click Ctrl-"-" (minus sign) or "+" (plus sign): to make it easier to read a webpage.
- Minimize All Windows – If you quickly want to view the desktop and minimise all windows, click on the Windows button + D.