Date First Published: 31st March 2022
Topic: Computer Systems
Difficulty: EasyDifficulty Level: 3/10
Learn more about what a keyboard shortcut is in this article.
A keyboard shortcut, also known as a hotkey, a shortcut key, an accelerator key, or an access key is a key combination that is activated by certain patterns on the keyboard of a computer. For example, pressing both the Ctrl key and A key together selects all the text on the screen. It is beneficial to memorise keyboard shortcuts as they are a good way for computer users to perform certain tasks quicker, increasing productivity.
In addition, the use of keyboard shortcuts reduces the span of time needed to use the mouse or touchpad to perform a certain task, such as opening a new tab. For example, instead of using the mouse or touchpad to go all the way up to the top of the screen to the '+' button in Google Chrome to open a new tab, an easy shortcut to perform this action is the key combination: 'Ctrl + T'.
Keyboard shortcuts are used in all sorts of applications and operating systems, such as Windows, Mac, Google Chrome, Microsoft Word, and more.
Keyboard shortcuts can be performed without holding multiple keys down at the same time by Sticky Keys, an accessibility feature in Windows that enables users to press keys in a sequence. For example, pressing the Ctrl and the C key afterwards would copy the selected text. If Sticky Keys were turned off, a user would have to press those two keys at the same time.
This table contains keyboard shortcuts used in Windows and other applications. This is not a full list of every possible keyboard shortcut. The keyboard shortcuts listed below are the most commonly used ones.
When using these keyboard shortcuts, do not actually press the '+' symbol on the keyboard, such as in 'Ctrl + X'. Pressing 'Ctrl +' will zoom in. The '+' symbol in the table below means to press those multiple keys together.
| Keyboard Shortcut | Function |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + C | Copy the selected text. |
| Ctrl + V | Paste the selected text. |
| Ctrl + X | Cut the selected text. |
| Ctrl + A | Select all the text on the page. |
| Ctrl + P | Print the page. |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo an action. |
| Ctrl + Y | Redo a previously undone action. |
| Ctrl + D | Delete the selected file/folder and move it to Recycle Bin. |
| Ctrl + R | Reload the window. |
| Ctrl + Right arrow | Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word. |
| Ctrl + Left arrow | Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word. |
| Ctrl + Down arrow | Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph. |
| Ctrl + Up arrow | Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph. |
| Ctrl + Alt + Tab | Displays a small box with all opened tabs. |
| Ctrl + Esc | Open the start menu. |
| Ctrl + Alt + Delete | Shows a full screen with options: sign out, change a password, open task manager. |
| Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Open Task Manager. |
| F1 | Show the help page. |
| F2 | Rename the selected file/folder. |
| F3 | Search for a file or folder in File Explorer. |
| F4 | Display the address bar list in File Explorer. |
| F5 | Refresh the window. |
| F6 | Move the cursor to the address bar in a web browser. |
| F7 | Check a document for spelling and grammar in Microsoft programs, such as Word and Powerpoint. |
| F8 | Access advanced startup modes before the computer boots. |
| F9 | Refresh a document in Microsoft Word. |
| F10 | Activate the menu bar or ribbon of an application. |
| F11 | Maximise or minimise a window. |
| F12 | Open debug tools of most web browsers. |
| Ctrl + E | Start the search box. |
| Ctrl + F | Search for text. |
| Ctrl + N | Open a new window. |
| Ctrl + W | Close the window. |
| Ctrl + Tab | Move forwards between tabs. |
| Shift + Delete | Delete the selected file/folder without moving it to Recycle Bin. |
| Prt scn | To take a screenshot of the whole screen of the computer and copy it to the clipboard. |
| Ctrl + F4 | To close the active window. |
| Ctrl + T | To open a new tab in a web browser. |
| Esc | To cancel, close, or terminate an operation. |
| Delete | To move the selected file/folder to Recycle Bin. |
| Alt + F8 | To show the entered password on the sign-in screen. |
| Windows Logo | To open the Start Menu. |
| Windows Logo + D | Display and hide the desktop. |
| Windows Logo + L | To lock the computer. |
| Ctrl + Shift with an arrow key | Select a block of text. |
| Num Lock + * | Display all subfolders within the selected folder. |
| Num Lock + plus (+) | Display the contents of the selected folder. |
| Num Lock + - | Collapse the selected folder. |
| Alt + P | Display the preview panel. |
| Alt + Enter | Open the properties box for the selected item. |
| Alt + Right arrow | View the next folder. |
| Alt + Up arrow | View the previous folder. |
| Windows logo + A | Open action centre. |
| Windows logo + B | To set focus in the notification area. |
| Windows logo + C | To open Cortana in listening mode. |
| Num Lock + * | Display all subfolders within the selected folder. |
| Ctrl + U | Underline text in a document. |
| Ctrl + B | Make text bold in a document. |
| Ctrl + K | To insert a hyperlink in the currently-active cell or location of a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. |
| Ctrl + K | To insert a hyperlink in the currently-active cell or location. |
| Ctrl + O | To open a new document, page, URL, or another file. |
| Shift keys (pressed five times) | Enable Sticky Keys. |
| Ctrl + Plus (+) | Zoom in | Ctrl + S | To save a file. |
| Ctrl + Minus (-) | Zoom out |
Keyboard shortcuts have been around since 1974 when Larry Tesler, an employee of Xerox Palo Alto Research Centre created the first keyboard shortcuts used for cutting (Ctrl + X), copying (Ctrl + C), and pasting (Ctrl + V).
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