Most people use maybe a dozen keyboard shortcuts. Copy, paste, undo. That’s about it. The rest of the day they’re reaching for the mouse, clicking through menus, hunting for the right option. It works, but it’s slow. Every menu click is a small interruption, and enough of them add up to real lost minutes without you noticing.
The good news: you don’t need to memorize 400 shortcuts to see a real difference. Copy (Ctrl+C), paste (Ctrl+V), and cut (Ctrl+X) show how it works. Most people press them without thinking, and any other shortcut can become just as automatic. Learning a handful of the right ones, matched to the apps you use every day, pays off quickly.
This guide covers the most common keyboard shortcuts for Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook, and the apps most professionals use daily: Word, Excel, Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Chrome, Safari, Edge, and VS Code. We’ve also included function key references, shortcut customization tips, and practical advice on forming the habit. Use it as a reference you come back to, not a list you have to memorize all at once.
Key takeaways
- A small set of everyday keyboard shortcuts works in almost every app on Windows and Mac. Copy, paste, cut, undo, save, find, and select all use Ctrl on Windows and Command on Mac, and Alt+Tab or Command+Tab switches between open apps. Learn these before any app-specific shortcuts.
- Browser tab shortcuts are nearly identical in Chrome, Edge, Safari, and on a Chromebook. Press Ctrl+W (Command+W on Mac) to close the current tab, Ctrl+T to open a new one, and Ctrl+Shift+T (Command+Shift+T on Mac) to reopen the tab you just closed.
- Keyboard shortcuts stick when you learn them in small batches during real work. Add two or three new shortcuts a week, start with the apps you use for hours each day, and look up the keyboard equivalent whenever you reach for the mouse. Memorizing a long list at once rarely lasts.
- Keyboard shortcuts trigger commands, while text expansion inserts the text you type repeatedly. Each app has its own built-in shortcut set, but a TextExpander Snippet keeps the text you’d otherwise rewrite, such as an address or a standard reply, a short abbreviation away in any app where you type.
What are keyboard shortcuts and hotkeys?
Keyboard shortcuts are key combinations (like Ctrl+C or Command+C) that trigger actions in software or your operating system. They work across most apps and devices. The idea is simple: instead of moving your hand to the mouse, clicking a menu, and finding the option you need, you press two or three keys and the same thing happens instantly.
So, what’s the difference?
Hotkeys and keyboard shortcuts are often used interchangeably, but there’s a loose distinction. Keyboard shortcuts typically refer to combinations built into an application. They’re documented by the software developer and work throughout that app. Hotkeys more often refer to user-assigned or system-level key combinations that trigger specific functions, sometimes even when an app isn’t in focus. In practice, most people use the terms interchangeably, and that’s fine.
The basics of keyboard shortcuts
Start here if you’re new to keyboard shortcuts. These common keyboard shortcuts work across virtually every application on every platform. If you use a computer for work, these are the ones worth learning first.
Everyday keyboard shortcuts (Windows and Mac)
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Copy selected text | Ctrl+C | Command+C |
| Paste | Ctrl+V | Command+V |
| Cut selected text | Ctrl+X | Command+X |
| Undo | Ctrl+Z | Command+Z |
| Redo | Ctrl+Y | Command+Shift+Z |
| Save | Ctrl+S | Command+S |
| Open a new document or window | Ctrl+N | Command+N |
| Print the current document | Ctrl+P | Command+P |
| Find text in the current document or page | Ctrl+F | Command+F |
| Select all | Ctrl+A | Command+A |
| Switch apps | Alt+Tab | Command+Tab |
| Close the active window | Alt+F4 | Command+W |
| Lock screen | Windows key+L | Control+Command+Q |
Switching and closing apps
Alt+Tab (Windows) and Command+Tab (Mac) are worth using every day. Hold the Alt key (Command on a Mac) and tap the Tab key to cycle through open apps. Keep holding and tap again to move to the next one. Release to switch, and the app you land on becomes the active window. On Mac, you can also press Command+` (backtick) to cycle through windows of the same application, which is helpful when you have multiple browser windows or multiple documents open.
Function key shortcuts: F1 through F12
The function keys at the top of your keyboard are among the most underused shortcuts available. Most people hit F5 to refresh a browser and maybe F2 to rename files. That’s it. Here’s what the rest of them actually do.
| Key | Windows (common) | Mac (common) |
|---|---|---|
| F1 | Open Help | No system-wide default (app-specific) |
| F2 | Rename the selected item in File Explorer; edit the active cell in Excel | No system-wide default (press Return to rename a selected item in Finder) |
| F3 | Open search in File Explorer / Find next | Mission Control (or app-specific) |
| F4 | Open address bar in File Explorer; repeat last action in Excel | No system-wide default |
| F5 | Reload the page in web browsers | No system-wide default |
| F6 | Move the cursor to the address bar in web browsers | No system-wide default |
| F7 | Spell check in Word; caret browsing in Chrome/Edge | No system-wide default |
| F8 | App-specific (Windows 10 and 11 don’t open startup options with F8 by default) | No system-wide default |
| F9 | Send/receive in Outlook; recalculate in Excel | No system-wide default |
| F10 | Activate the menu bar in the active window (Shift+F10 opens the shortcut menu for the selected item) | No system-wide default |
| F11 | Toggle full screen mode (web browsers, File Explorer) | Show desktop (Control+Command+F toggles full screen) |
| F12 | Open the Save As dialog box in Word; open browser DevTools | No system-wide default (Chrome and Safari open developer tools with Command+Option+I) |
On laptops, function keys often double as media/hardware controls (brightness, volume, screen lock). Press the Fn key alongside the F-key to toggle between the two behaviors. On some laptops, Print Screen shares a key with another function too, so you press it with Fn. Some laptops have a Fn Lock setting in BIOS that lets you swap which mode is default.
Hotkeys for typing: save time with every keystroke
These shortcuts handle text selection, cursor movement, and basic formatting. Once they’re muscle memory, editing documents and emails gets noticeably faster.
Text navigation and editing (Windows)
- Ctrl+Right/Left arrow: Jump one word at a time
- Ctrl+Shift+Right/Left arrow: Select one word at a time
- Home/End: Jump to start/end of current line
- Ctrl+Home/End: Jump to start/end of document
- Ctrl+Backspace: Delete the previous word
- Ctrl+Delete: Delete the next word
- Ctrl+B / Ctrl+I / Ctrl+U: Bold / Italic / Underline selected text
- Shift+Home/End: Select from the cursor to the start/end of the current line
Text navigation and editing (Mac)
- Option+Right/Left arrow: Move the insertion point to the end of the next word or the beginning of the previous word
- Option+Shift+Right/Left arrow: Extend the selection one word at a time
- Command+Right/Left arrow: Move the insertion point to the end/beginning of the current line
- Command+Up/Down arrow: Move the insertion point to the beginning/end of the document
- Option+Delete: Delete the word to the left of the insertion point
- Command+B / Command+I / Command+U: Bold / Italic / Underline selected text
- Shift+Command+Right/Left arrow: Select the text between the insertion point and the end/beginning of the current line
Repetitive typing shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts handle built-in commands well. But what about the text you type over and over: your email signature, your company’s full name, your standard responses to common questions? That’s a different problem, and it needs a different tool.
TextExpander lets you type a short abbreviation (like myname or addr1) that expands instantly into whatever longer text you’ve saved. Your full name, your address, the answer you write five times a day. You write it well once, and it’s ready everywhere you type, so you stop rewriting what you already know.
Formatting is so seamless, always populates correctly. I love the keyboard shortcut to find a snippet, helps me work quickly. I don’t work without TE, and I use it for everything from templates for emails and notes to customer replies and code.
Jen W., Support, Tettra
That “everywhere” part matters. Keyboard shortcuts are built into specific apps. They work in Word, or in Chrome, or in macOS, but each app has its own set. TextExpander Snippets work across every app and browser without any additional setup. One abbreviation, any application.
Shortcuts run commands. Snippets keep your best wording ready.
Keyboard shortcuts cover what’s built into each app. TextExpander keeps the text you’d otherwise rewrite, such as signatures, standard replies, and templates, ready in any app where you type. Write it once, then insert it with a short abbreviation.
Get TextExpander for Free. No credit card required.
Keyboard shortcuts for computers and laptops
These cover general system-level shortcuts beyond the basic copy/paste set: window management, desktop navigation, screenshot tools, and system utilities.
Computer hotkeys (Windows)
- Windows key: Open or close the Start menu
- Windows key+D: Show/hide desktop
- Windows key+E: Open File Explorer
- Windows key+R: Open the Run dialog box
- Windows key+I: Open Settings
- Windows key+S: Open the search bar
- Print Screen (PrtScn): Select a region of the screen to capture (Windows 11 default)
- Windows key+Print Screen: Save a full-screen screenshot to the Screenshots folder in Pictures
- Windows key+Shift+S: Snipping Tool (select region to screenshot)
- Windows key+V: Clipboard history
- Ctrl+Alt+Delete: Open the security screen to lock, switch user, sign out, or open Task Manager
- Ctrl+Shift+Esc: Open Task Manager directly
- Alt+Enter: Show properties for the selected item
- Shift+F10: Open the shortcut menu for the selected item
Laptop-specific tips (Windows)
- Windows key+P: Toggle display mode (extend, duplicate, second screen only)
- Windows key+K: Connect to wireless display or audio device
- Fn+F keys: Hardware controls (brightness, volume) on most laptop keyboards
Computer hotkeys (Mac)
- Command+Space bar: Open Spotlight search
- Command+Shift+3: Screenshot (full screen)
- Command+Shift+4: Screenshot (select region)
- Command+Shift+5: Screenshot and screen recording options
- Command+Option+Esc: Force Quit Applications (also in the Apple menu)
- Control+F2: Move focus to the menu bar (Control+Fn+F2 on many laptop keyboards)
- Control+Command+Q: Lock screen
- Command+Mission Control: Show desktop
Laptop-specific tips (Mac)
- Fn+F11: Show desktop (on keyboards without a dedicated Mission Control key)
- Fn+Delete: Forward delete (since Mac laptops have no separate Delete key)
Microsoft Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts
Most Windows shortcuts use the Windows key, the key with the Windows logo that usually sits between Ctrl and the Alt key. Microsoft’s documentation calls it the Windows logo key. Press the Windows key on its own to open or close the Start menu, or press Ctrl+Esc to open the Start menu from a keyboard without one. Microsoft keeps the full list on its Windows keyboard shortcuts page.
General shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Windows key+A | Open Quick Settings (Action Center) |
| Windows key+N | Open Notification Center |
| Windows key+W | Open Widgets |
| Windows key+Z | Open Snap Layouts |
| Windows key+X | Open the Quick Link menu, a shortcut menu for system tools (same as right-clicking the Start button) |
| Windows key+H | Start voice dictation |
| Windows key+G | Open Xbox Game Bar |
| Windows key+K | Cast to a display |
| Windows key+T | Cycle through apps on the Windows taskbar |
| Windows key+U | Open Accessibility settings |
Copilot and AI key shortcuts (Windows 11)
Newer Windows 11 keyboards (2024 and later) include a dedicated Copilot key. On keyboards without it, you can still access Copilot through keyboard shortcuts.
- Copilot key: Open Microsoft Copilot (on supported keyboards)
- Windows key+C: Open Copilot (on systems without a dedicated key)
- Windows key+H: Open voice typing / dictation (works with Copilot integration)
- Windows key+F: Open Feedback Hub (report issues to Microsoft)
File Explorer shortcuts
- Alt+D: Select address bar
- Ctrl+E: Select the search bar
- Ctrl+N: Open a second File Explorer window
- Ctrl+W: Close the current window
- Alt+Left/Right arrow: Navigate back/forward
- Alt+Up arrow: Go up one level
- F2: Rename the selected item
- F5: Refresh
- Alt+P: Show or hide the preview pane
Window management
- Windows key+Left/Right arrow: Snap the active window to the left/right side of the screen
- Windows key+Up arrow: Maximize the active window
- Windows key+Down arrow: Minimize the active window
- Windows key+Shift+Left/Right arrow: Move the active window to the monitor on the left/right (for multiple monitors)
- Windows key+Z: Open Snap Layouts (choose from preset split options)
Virtual desktops
- Windows key+Ctrl+D: Add a new virtual desktop
- Windows key+Ctrl+Left/Right arrow: Switch between virtual desktops
- Windows key+Ctrl+F4: Close current virtual desktop
- Windows key+Tab: Open Task View (see all desktops and open windows)
Accessibility shortcuts
- Windows key+Plus (+): Open Magnifier and enlarge the screen
- Windows key+Minus (-): Reduce magnification in Magnifier
- Windows key+Ctrl+Enter: Turn Narrator on or off
- Ctrl+Alt+I: Invert colors in Magnifier
Microsoft Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts
Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on Oct. 14, 2025, but plenty of work PCs still run it. Most Windows 10 shortcuts carry over to Windows 11. The following keyboard shortcuts are specific to Windows 10 or particularly useful on that version.
General shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Windows key+A | Open Action Center |
| Windows key+I | Open Settings |
| Windows key+X | Open the Quick Link menu (same as right-clicking the Start menu button) |
| Windows key+G | Open Game Bar |
| Windows key+H | Start voice dictation |
| Windows key+Print Screen | Save a screenshot to the Pictures folder |
| Windows key+Shift+S | Open Snip & Sketch |
| Windows key+Period (.) | Open emoji picker |
| Windows key+Semicolon (;) | Open emoji picker (alternate) |
| Ctrl+Esc | Open the Start menu |
| Ctrl+Shift+Esc | Open Task Manager |
File Explorer shortcuts
File Explorer was called Windows Explorer before Windows 8, and these shortcuts work in both Windows 10 and 11.
- Ctrl+L: Select address bar
- Ctrl+Shift+N: Create a new folder inside the current folder
- F4: Open the address bar list
- Backspace: Go back to the previous folder
Virtual desktops
- Windows key+Ctrl+D: Create new virtual desktop
- Windows key+Ctrl+Left/Right arrow: Switch between virtual desktops
- Windows key+Ctrl+F4: Close current virtual desktop
Accessibility shortcuts
- Windows key+Plus (+): Open Magnifier
- Windows key+Ctrl+Enter: Turn Narrator on or off
- Windows key+U: Open Ease of Access settings
Chromebook keyboard shortcuts
General shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+Search+S | Open the list of all keyboard shortcuts |
| Search+L | Lock screen |
| Ctrl+Shift+Q (twice) | Sign out |
| Ctrl+Shift+W | Close the current window |
| Alt+[ | Snap the active window to the left |
| Alt+] | Snap the active window to the right |
Window and tab management
- Ctrl+T: Open new tab
- Ctrl+W: Close current tab
- Ctrl+Shift+T: Reopen last closed tab
- Ctrl+1 through Ctrl+8: Jump to tab by number
- Ctrl+9: Jump to last tab
- Alt+Tab: Switch between open windows
Navigation and searching
- Ctrl+L: Select address bar
- Ctrl+F: Open Find on page
- Search key: Open launcher
- Ctrl+Shift+A: Search tabs
Screenshot shortcuts
- Ctrl+Show windows key: Full screenshot
- Ctrl+Shift+Show windows key: Partial screenshot (drag to select)
- Ctrl+Alt+Show windows key: Screenshot of active window
Accessibility shortcuts
- Ctrl+Alt+Z: Toggle ChromeVox (screen reader) on/off
- Ctrl+Search+M: Magnify the whole screen
- Ctrl+Search+H: Toggle high contrast mode
Mac keyboard shortcuts
Mac uses four primary modifier keys: the Command key (⌘, often written Cmd), the Option key (⌥), Control (⌃), and Shift (⇧). Most shortcuts use Command where Windows uses Ctrl, so Ctrl+C on a PC becomes Cmd+C on a Mac, but the layouts diverge once you get past the basics. On a Mac keyboard layout, Command sits next to the space bar, where Alt sits on a Windows keyboard. These Mac keyboard shortcuts match Apple’s own Mac keyboard shortcuts list.
General shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Command+Space bar | Spotlight search |
| Command+Tab | Switch between open apps |
| Command+` | Switch between open windows of the same app |
| Command+H | Hide the current app |
| Command+M | Minimize the active window to the Dock |
| Command+Q | Quit app |
| Command+Option+Esc | Force Quit |
| Command+Shift+3 | Screenshot (full screen) |
| Command+Shift+4 | Screenshot (region) |
| Command+Shift+5 | Screenshot and recording options |
Window and application management
- Control+Up arrow: Mission Control (all open windows)
- Control+Down arrow: App Exposé (all windows of the current app)
- Control+Left/Right arrow: Move between Spaces (virtual desktops)
- Command+Option+D: Show/hide Dock
Finder shortcuts
- Command+N: New Finder window
- Command+Shift+N: New folder
- Command+Delete: Move the selected item to the Trash
- Command+Shift+Delete: Empty Trash
- Command+I: Get Info for the selected item
- Space bar: Quick Look (preview the selected item)
- Command+D: Duplicate the selected files
- Return: Rename the selected item
- Command+1/2/3/4: Switch between Icon, List, Column, Gallery views
Text editing
- Control+A: Move the insertion point to the beginning of the line or paragraph (works in most text fields)
- Control+E: Move the insertion point to the end of the line or paragraph
- Control+K: Cut the text between the insertion point and the end of the paragraph
- Option+Delete: Delete the word to the left of the insertion point
- Fn+Delete: Forward delete (removes the character to the right of the insertion point)
Accessibility shortcuts
- Command+Option+F5: Accessibility Options panel
- Command+F5: Toggle VoiceOver on/off
- Control+Command+Option+8: Invert colors (Classic Invert)
- Control+Option+Command+Comma (,): Reduce contrast
Linux / Ubuntu keyboard shortcuts
Linux shortcut conventions vary by desktop environment. These apply to Ubuntu with GNOME, which is the most common configuration for new Linux users.
General shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Super key (the Windows logo key) | Open Activities overview |
| Ctrl+Alt+T | Open terminal |
| Ctrl+Alt+Del | Open the log out dialog box |
| Super+L | Lock screen |
| Super+D | Show desktop |
| Alt+F2 | Open the Run a Command dialog box |
| Print Screen (PrtScn) | Open the screenshot tool (select an area, the screen, or a window) |
| Shift+Print Screen | Screenshot (full screen) |
| Alt+Print Screen | Screenshot of the active window |
Window management
- Super+Up arrow: Maximize the active window
- Super+Down arrow: Unmaximize the active window
- Super+Left/Right arrow: Snap the active window to the left/right half of the screen
- Alt+F4: Close the active window
- Alt+Tab: Switch between open applications
Workspaces
- Super+Page Up/Down: Switch between workspaces
- Shift+Super+Page Up/Down: Move the active window to the adjacent workspace
Microsoft Word keyboard shortcuts
General shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+N | New document |
| Ctrl+O | Open document |
| Ctrl+W | Close the active document |
| Ctrl+S | Save the active document |
| F12 | Open the Save As dialog box |
| Ctrl+P | |
| Ctrl+Z | Undo |
| Ctrl+Y | Redo |
| F7 | Spell check |
| Ctrl+F | Find |
| Ctrl+H | Open the Find and Replace dialog box |
Text formatting
- Ctrl+B: Bold selected text
- Ctrl+I: Italicize selected text
- Ctrl+U: Underline selected text
- Ctrl+D: Open the Font dialog box
- Ctrl+Shift+>: Increase font size
- Ctrl+Shift+<: Decrease font size
- Ctrl+]: Increase font size by 1pt
- Ctrl+[: Decrease font size by 1pt
- Ctrl+Shift+C: Copy formatting
- Ctrl+Shift+V: Paste formatting
- Ctrl+=: Subscript
- Ctrl+Shift+=: Superscript
Paragraph formatting
- Ctrl+E: Center align
- Ctrl+L: Left align
- Ctrl+R: Right align
- Ctrl+J: Justify
- Ctrl+1: Single-space lines
- Ctrl+2: Double-space lines
- Ctrl+M: Indent paragraph
- Ctrl+Shift+M: Remove paragraph indent
Document navigation
- Ctrl+Home: Go to beginning of document
- Ctrl+End: Go to end of document
- Ctrl+G: Go to specific page, line, or bookmark
- F5: Open the Go To dialog box (Ctrl+F opens the Navigation pane)
Table shortcuts
- Tab: Move to next cell
- Shift+Tab: Move to previous cell
- Alt+Home/End: Move to first/last cell in row
- Alt+Page Up/Down: Move to first/last cell in column
Microsoft Excel keyboard shortcuts
General shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+N | New workbook |
| Ctrl+O | Open workbook |
| Ctrl+S | Save |
| Ctrl+W | Close the active workbook |
| Ctrl+Z | Undo |
| Ctrl+Y | Redo |
| F1 | Open Help |
| F12 | Open the Save As dialog box |
| Ctrl+P | |
| Ctrl+F | Find |
| Ctrl+H | Open the Find and Replace dialog box |
Navigation shortcuts
- Ctrl+Home: Go to cell A1
- Ctrl+End: Go to last used cell
- Ctrl+Right/Left/Up/Down arrow: Jump to edge of data region
- Ctrl+Page Up/Down: Move between worksheets
- Ctrl+G or F5: Open the Go To dialog box (jump to a specific cell)
Cell formatting
- Ctrl+1: Open the Format Cells dialog box
- Ctrl+B: Bold
- Ctrl+I: Italic
- Ctrl+U: Underline
- Ctrl+Shift+$: Apply currency format
- Ctrl+Shift+%: Apply percentage format
- Ctrl+Shift+#: Apply date format
Data entry and editing
- F2: Edit active cell
- Escape: Cancel cell entry
- Ctrl+D: Fill down from cell above
- Ctrl+R: Fill right from cell to left
- Ctrl+;: Insert current date
- Ctrl+Shift+:: Insert current time
- Alt+Enter: Start new line within a cell
Rows and columns
- Ctrl+Shift+Plus (+): Insert row or column
- Ctrl+Minus (-): Delete row or column
- Ctrl+Space: Select entire column
- Shift+Space: Select entire row
Formula and calculation
- Alt+=: AutoSum selected range
- F9: Calculate all worksheets in all open workbooks
- Shift+F9: Calculate active worksheet only
- Ctrl+`: Toggle display of formulas vs. values
Gmail keyboard shortcuts
Gmail shortcuts require keyboard shortcuts to be enabled first. Go to Settings, then See all settings, then the General tab, and turn on Keyboard shortcuts.
General actions
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| C | Compose new email |
| R | Reply |
| A | Reply all |
| F | Forward |
| E | Archive |
| # | Delete |
| Shift+U | Mark as unread |
| Shift+I | Mark as read |
| V | Move to folder |
| L | Apply label |
Navigation
- G then I: Go to Inbox
- G then S: Go to Starred
- G then T: Go to Sent
- G then D: Go to Drafts
- J / K: Move to older/newer conversation
- /: Jump to the search bar
Formatting and writing
- Ctrl+B: Bold (in compose window)
- Ctrl+I: Italic
- Ctrl+U: Underline
- Ctrl+Shift+7: Numbered list
- Ctrl+Shift+8: Bulleted list
- Ctrl+Shift+L: Left-align text
- Tab then Enter: Send email (from compose window)
Google Docs keyboard shortcuts
General shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+/ (Windows) or Command+/ (Mac) | View all keyboard shortcuts |
| Ctrl+K | Insert link |
| Ctrl+Shift+C | Word count |
| Ctrl+Alt+M | Insert comment |
| Ctrl+Alt+Shift+A | Open comment thread |
| Ctrl+Shift+Y | Open dictionary |
Text formatting
- Ctrl+B / I / U: Bold / Italic / Underline selected text
- Alt+Shift+5: Strikethrough
- Ctrl+.: Superscript
- Ctrl+,: Subscript
- Ctrl+\: Clear formatting
Heading styles
- Ctrl+Alt+1: Heading 1
- Ctrl+Alt+2: Heading 2
- Ctrl+Alt+3: Heading 3
- Ctrl+Alt+0: Normal text
Collaboration
- Ctrl+Alt+M: Insert comment
- Hold Ctrl+Alt, then press N, then C: Move to next comment
- Hold Ctrl+Alt, then press O, then U: Review suggested edits
Google Sheets keyboard shortcuts
General shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+/ or Command+/ | View all shortcuts |
| Ctrl+Z | Undo |
| Ctrl+Y or Ctrl+Shift+Z | Redo |
| Ctrl+P | |
| Ctrl+F | Find |
| Ctrl+H | Open the Find and Replace dialog box |
Navigation
- Ctrl+Home: Go to cell A1
- Ctrl+End: Go to last used cell
- Ctrl+Arrow keys: Jump to edge of data region
- Alt+Up/Down arrow: Move to previous/next sheet tab
Editing
- F2: Edit active cell
- Ctrl+D: Fill down
- Ctrl+R: Fill right
- Ctrl+;: Insert current date
- Alt+I, then R, then R: Insert row above (Chrome)
- Alt+I, then R, then B: Insert row below (Chrome)
Formatting
- Ctrl+B / I / U: Bold / Italic / Underline
- Alt+Shift+5: Strikethrough
- Ctrl+Shift+1: Format as number (2 decimal places)
- Ctrl+Shift+4: Format as currency
- Ctrl+Shift+5: Format as percentage
Chrome browser shortcuts
Tab and window management
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+T | Open new tab |
| Ctrl+W | Close current tab |
| Ctrl+Shift+T | Reopen last closed tab |
| Ctrl+Tab | Cycle to next tab |
| Ctrl+Shift+Tab | Cycle to previous tab |
| Ctrl+1 through Ctrl+8 | Jump to tab by number |
| Ctrl+9 | Jump to last tab |
| Ctrl+N | Open new window |
| Ctrl+Shift+N | Open new incognito window |
Navigation
- Alt+Left/Right arrow: Navigate back/forward
- F5 or Ctrl+R: Reload page
- Ctrl+Shift+R: Hard reload (bypass cache)
- Escape: Stop page loading
- Ctrl+L or F6: Select address bar
- Ctrl+Enter: Add www. and .com to address bar text
Zoom and display
- Ctrl+Plus (+): Zoom in
- Ctrl+Minus (-): Zoom out
- Ctrl+0: Reset zoom to 100%
- F11: Toggle full screen mode
Developer tools
- F12 or Ctrl+Shift+I: Open DevTools
- Ctrl+U: View page source
- Ctrl+Shift+J: Open DevTools Console
Microsoft Edge keyboard shortcuts
Edge is the default browser on Windows. Its shortcuts are nearly identical to Chrome, with a few additions for Edge-specific features like Favorites and the sidebar.
Tab and window management
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+T | Open new tab |
| Ctrl+W | Close tab |
| Ctrl+Shift+T | Reopen closed tab |
| Ctrl+Tab | Next tab |
| Ctrl+Shift+Tab | Previous tab |
| Ctrl+N | New window |
| Ctrl+Shift+N | New InPrivate window |
Edge-specific shortcuts
- Ctrl+Shift+E: Search in sidebar
- Ctrl+Shift+B: Toggle Favorites bar
- Ctrl+Shift+O: Open Favorites
- Alt+Shift+I: Send feedback
- F7: Toggle caret browsing (navigate pages with keyboard cursor)
Safari browser shortcuts
Tab and window management
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Command+T | Open new tab |
| Command+W | Close tab |
| Command+Shift+T | Reopen last closed tab |
| Control+Tab | Next tab |
| Control+Shift+Tab | Previous tab |
| Command+1 to Command+8 | Jump to tab by number (Command+9 jumps to the last tab) |
| Command+N | New window |
| Command+Shift+N | New private window |
Navigation
- Command+Left/Right arrow: Back/forward
- Command+R: Reload page
- Escape: Stop loading
- Command+L: Select address bar
Reading and focus mode
- Command+Shift+R: Toggle Reader Mode
- Command+F: Find on page
- Command+Plus (+) / Minus (-): Zoom in/out
- Command+0: Return to actual size
Developer tools
- Command+Option+I: Open Web Inspector (requires Show features for web developers in Safari Settings > Advanced)
- Command+Option+C: Open JavaScript console
VS Code keyboard shortcuts
If you use VS Code or any other code editor, you’re probably already comfortable with keyboard-heavy workflows. Still, there are a few VS Code shortcuts that even experienced developers overlook.
General shortcuts
| Shortcut (Windows/Linux) | Shortcut (Mac) | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrl+Shift+P | Command+Shift+P | Command Palette |
| Ctrl+P | Command+P | Quick Open / Go to file |
| Ctrl+, | Command+, | Open Settings |
| Ctrl+` | Control+` | Toggle integrated terminal |
| Ctrl+B | Command+B | Toggle sidebar |
| Ctrl+Shift+E | Command+Shift+E | Open Explorer panel |
| Ctrl+Shift+G | Control+Shift+G | Open Source Control panel |
Editing
- Alt+Up/Down arrow (Win) / Option+Up/Down (Mac): Move line up/down
- Shift+Alt+Up/Down (Win) / Shift+Option+Up/Down (Mac): Copy line up/down
- Ctrl+Shift+K (Win) / Command+Shift+K (Mac): Delete line
- Ctrl+/ (Win) / Command+/ (Mac): Toggle line comment
- Ctrl+D (Win) / Command+D (Mac): Select next occurrence of current word
- Alt+Click (Win) / Option+Click (Mac): Add cursor at click point (multi-cursor)
Navigation
- Ctrl+G (Win) / Control+G (Mac): Go to line
- F12: Go to definition
- Alt+F12 (Win) / Option+F12 (Mac): Peek definition
- Ctrl+Tab (Win) / Control+Tab (Mac): Switch between open editors
How to customize keyboard shortcuts
Built-in shortcuts are a starting point. Most operating systems and apps let you change them, or create new ones for actions that don’t have shortcuts by default.
Customizing shortcuts on Windows
Windows doesn’t have a centralized shortcut editor, but you can customize at the app level:
- Microsoft Word has built-in shortcut customization under File, then Options, then Customize Ribbon, then Customize next to Keyboard shortcuts. Excel and Outlook don’t offer the same option.
- Microsoft PowerToys (free) includes Keyboard Manager, which remaps individual keys and shortcuts across Windows
- For system-wide remapping, dedicated hotkey software handles reassigning keys and creating new combinations
- AutoHotkey (free, open source) lets power users script custom shortcuts for any application. If you’d rather not write scripts, compare these AutoHotkey alternatives.
Customizing shortcuts on Mac
macOS makes this easier with a built-in option in System Settings:
- Choose Apple menu, then System Settings (System Preferences in macOS Monterey and earlier), then Keyboard, then Keyboard Shortcuts
- You can modify shortcuts for built-in apps and services, Mission Control, Spotlight, and more. The Modifier Keys pane changes what the Command key, Option key, Control key, and Caps Lock key do.
- To add a custom shortcut for a specific app menu item: open Keyboard Shortcuts, select App Shortcuts, click the plus (+) button, choose the app, type the exact menu item name as it appears in the app’s menu bar, and assign a key combination
- Keyboard Maestro is the most powerful third-party option for Mac shortcut automation. For more choices, see our roundup of keyboard shortcut apps.
Advanced hotkeys and functions you should know
Window and workspace management
Multi-monitor setups, virtual desktops, and window snapping all have keyboard controls that most users ignore because they don’t know they exist. Windows key+Z in Windows 11 opens Snap Layouts. Choose a layout to arrange your open windows. On Mac, Control+arrow keys move between Spaces. These aren’t flashy shortcuts, but for anyone who juggles multiple projects at once, they’re worth learning.
Browser navigation
Ctrl+Shift+T (or Command+Shift+T on Mac) to reopen closed tabs is one of those shortcuts that saves real frustration. Ctrl+Tab to cycle through tabs without the mouse. Ctrl+L to jump to the address bar and start typing a new URL immediately. None of these are difficult, and collectively they eliminate a lot of unnecessary clicking.
Editing and formatting (for writers and editors)
Ctrl+Shift+Right arrow (Windows) or Option+Shift+Right arrow (Mac) to select word by word while editing is faster than clicking and dragging. Pair it with Ctrl+Backspace to delete it instantly. F2 renames files in Windows File Explorer, and Return does the same in the Mac Finder. Small refinements like these, repeated dozens of times a day, are where the gains add up.
How to remember and practice keyboard shortcuts
Shortcuts stick through practice in context, during the work you already do. Here’s what works:
- Start with shortcuts you’d use every day. Copy, paste, undo, switch apps. Get those into muscle memory before adding more.
- Add two or three new shortcuts each week. Any more than that and none of them stick.
- When you catch yourself reaching for the mouse, stop and find the keyboard equivalent. It’ll feel slower at first. That’s normal.
- Keep this page bookmarked as a reference. You don’t need to remember every shortcut. You need to know they exist and know where to find them.
- Use TextExpander’s own keyboard shortcuts to reinforce the habit within the app itself.
I’ve used TextExpander for several years, and can’t begin to imagine how much time it saves me. I use it every day, and when I am at another computer without it, I am frustrated continually when shortcuts that have become ingrained in my fingers don’t work! They keep adding features (I especially love the recently added hotkey to search from where you’re writing!). Being able to incorporate fill in forms and call snippets from other snippets are incredibly powerful features.
Phillip Webster, IT Consultant, 1440 Multiversity
That’s the goal with any keyboard shortcut: once it’s automatic, you stop thinking about it. If you also want to raise your raw speed at the keyboard, our guide on how to type faster includes a four-week practice plan.
More articles about keyboard shortcuts
- Oracle Keyboard Shortcuts
- ServiceNow Keyboard Shortcuts
- Freshdesk Keyboard Shortcuts
- Zendesk Keyboard Shortcuts
- Salesforce Keyboard Shortcuts
- Cerner Keyboard Shortcuts
- AdvancedMD Shortcuts
- eClinicalWorks Shortcuts
- Epic EMR Shortcuts
- NextGen Shortcuts
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most important keyboard shortcuts to learn first?
The most important keyboard shortcuts to learn first are the everyday ones that work in almost every app: copy (Ctrl+C on Windows, Command+C on Mac), paste (Ctrl+V or Command+V), cut (Ctrl+X or Command+X), undo (Ctrl+Z or Command+Z), save, find, and select all. Add Alt+Tab or Command+Tab to switch apps, and Ctrl+W or Command+W to close the current browser tab or document window. Once those are automatic, learn the shortcuts for the applications you use most. Any app you spend two or more hours in each day is worth learning deeply.
Do keyboard shortcuts actually improve productivity?
Yes. Keyboard shortcuts improve productivity mainly by keeping your hands on the keyboard. Each shortcut replaces a trip to the mouse and a scan through a menu, which keeps your workflow moving and cuts down on context switching. The time saved per action is small, but it adds up over a workday for anyone who repeats the same commands, such as copying text, switching apps, formatting a document, or moving around a spreadsheet. The bigger benefit is often less friction: fewer interruptions to the task you're thinking about. The biggest gains come from shortcuts for the actions you repeat most.
How do I remember keyboard shortcuts?
The easiest way to remember keyboard shortcuts is to learn them in small clusters by app or task, not alphabetically. Practice new shortcuts during real work rather than in drills, so the context reinforces the memory. Add no more than two or three new shortcuts each week, and keep a cheat sheet or bookmarked reference nearby until they become automatic. When you catch yourself reaching for the mouse, stop and look up the keyboard equivalent. Text expansion tools such as TextExpander support the same habit for repeated text, with short abbreviations that expand into saved content so your hands stay on the keyboard.
What is the difference between keyboard shortcuts, macros, and text expansion?
Keyboard shortcuts, macros, and text expansion all reduce repetitive effort, but they work at different layers. Keyboard shortcuts trigger built-in software commands that the app developer defines, and each one performs a single action. Macros automate a sequence of actions, often recorded or scripted, so they can chain several steps together, such as opening a file, formatting data, saving, and closing. Text expansion replaces a typed abbreviation with stored content, such as a sentence, signature, or template, rather than running a command. Shortcuts handle commands, macros handle workflows, and text expansion handles content.
Can a team standardize keyboard shortcuts?
A team can share a list of recommended keyboard shortcuts, but key assignments are personal and hard to standardize, because everyone has different muscle memory, keyboards, and setups. What teams can standardize effectively is content: the responses, templates, and phrases everyone types. TextExpander lets teams share a library of Snippets for standard responses, scripts, and text blocks across everyone's devices. When someone updates a shared Snippet, everyone on the team gets the current version. That way the team works from the same approved wording without needing to learn the same key combinations, and nobody rewrites an answer someone already got right.
How do I create autocorrect entries that work across Microsoft 365 apps?
To create an AutoCorrect entry in the Microsoft 365 desktop apps on Windows, open Word and go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options. On the AutoCorrect tab, type a short abbreviation in the Replace box, type the full text in the With box, and select Add. Microsoft says the AutoCorrect list applies across the Office programs that support AutoCorrect, so an entry added in Word is also available in apps such as Outlook. Choose abbreviations that aren't real words to avoid accidental replacements. AutoCorrect only works inside Office apps, and Office for Mac and the web can behave differently, so test entries there.
How do I create text shortcuts in Google Docs?
To create text shortcuts in Google Docs, open a document and select Tools > Preferences, then open the Substitutions tab. Make sure Automatic substitution is checked, type your shortcut in the Replace column and the full text in the With column, and select OK. Google Docs then replaces the shortcut with the full text as you type. Substitutions are a Google Docs setting, so they don't expand in Gmail or in apps outside Google Docs. For shortcuts that work in every app, a text expansion tool such as TextExpander inserts saved text wherever you type.
How can I use the same keyboard shortcuts on a Mac and a Windows PC?
Most system keyboard shortcuts already match between a Mac and a Windows PC once you swap one key: Windows uses Ctrl where a Mac uses Command, so Ctrl+C on Windows is Command+C on a Mac. If your hands keep reaching for the wrong key, remap it. On a Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings (System Preferences on older versions) > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Modifier Keys and change what the Control and Command keys do. On Windows, Microsoft PowerToys Keyboard Manager can remap individual keys and shortcuts. For the text you type, TextExpander works on both Mac and Windows, so the same Snippet abbreviations expand on every computer you use.
