What is a shortcut key?
A shortcut key is a combination of one or more keys that when pressed simultaneously or in sequence, performs a specific function or task in a software application or operating system. Shortcut keys are designed to provide quick access to common tasks and functions, without the need to navigate through menus or use the mouse. They can save time, increase productivity, and make it easier to perform complex tasks with fewer steps. Shortcut keys can be customized in some applications to suit the user’s preferences or work style.
List of commonly used shortcut keys in Windows OS
Ctrl + C: Copy selected item(s)
Ctrl + V: Paste selected item(s)
Ctrl + X: Cut selected item(s)
Ctrl + Z: Undo the previous action
Ctrl + A: Select all items
Ctrl + F: Find a specific text or item
Ctrl + S: Save the current file or document
Ctrl + N: Create a new file or document
Ctrl + P: Print the current document
Ctrl + Alt + Del: Open the task manager
Alt + Tab: Switch between open windows or applications
Windows key + D: Show desktop or minimize/maximize all windows
Windows key + E: Open File Explorer
Windows key + R: Open the Run command dialog box
Windows key + L: Lock your computer or switch user accounts
Windows key + X: Open the Quick Link menu
Windows key + I: Open Windows Settings
Windows key + M: Minimize all windows
Windows key + PrtScn: Take a screenshot of the current screen and save it to the Pictures folder
Windows key + S: Open Windows Search
Explanation of each shortcut key
Ctrl + C: Copy selected item(s) – This shortcut key copies the selected text or item(s) to the clipboard. You can then paste it using Ctrl + V.
Ctrl + V: Paste selected item(s) – This shortcut key pastes the text or item(s) that you have previously copied or cut using Ctrl + C or Ctrl + X.
Ctrl + X: Cut selected item(s) – This shortcut key removes the selected text or item(s) from its original location and places it on the clipboard. You can then paste it using Ctrl + V.
Ctrl + Z: Undo the previous action – This shortcut key undoes the previous action that you performed. You can use this shortcut key multiple times to undo multiple actions.
Ctrl + A: Select all items – This shortcut key selects all items in the current window or document.
Ctrl + F: Find a specific text or item – This shortcut key opens the Find dialog box, which allows you to search for a specific text or item within the current document or window.
Ctrl + S: Save the current file or document – This shortcut key saves the changes that you have made to the current file or document.
Ctrl + N: Create a new file or document – This shortcut key creates a new file or document in the current window or application.
Ctrl + P: Print the current document – This shortcut key opens the Print dialog box, which allows you to print the current document.
Ctrl + Alt + Del: Open the task manager – This shortcut key opens the task manager, which allows you to monitor and manage running processes on your computer.
Alt + Tab: Switch between open windows or applications – This shortcut key allows you to switch between open windows or applications.
Windows key + D: Show desktop or minimize/maximize all windows – This shortcut key minimizes or maximizes all open windows, or shows the desktop if no windows are open.
Windows key + E: Open File Explorer – This shortcut key opens File Explorer, which allows you to browse and manage files and folders on your computer.
Windows key + R: Open the Run command dialog box – This shortcut key opens the Run command dialog box, which allows you to run a specific command or application.
Windows key + L: Lock your computer or switch user accounts – This shortcut key locks your computer or switches to another user account if you have multiple user accounts set up.
Windows key + X: Open the Quick Link menu – This shortcut key opens the Quick Link menu, which provides quick access to commonly used system tools and settings.
Windows key + I: Open Windows Settings – This shortcut key opens Windows Settings, which allows you to manage system settings and preferences.
Windows key + M: Minimize all windows – This shortcut key minimizes all open windows.
Windows key + PrtScn: Take a screenshot of the current screen and save it to the Pictures folder – This shortcut key takes a screenshot of the current screen and saves it to the Pictures folder.
Windows key + S: Open Windows Search – This shortcut key opens Windows Search, which allows you to search for files, folders, and applications on your computer.
List of commonly used shortcut keys in Mac OS
Command + C: Copy selected item(s)
Command + V: Paste selected item(s)
Command + X: Cut selected item(s)
Command + Z: Undo the previous action
Command + A: Select all items
Command + F: Find a specific text or item
Command + S: Save the current file or document
Command + N: Create a new file or document
Command + P: Print the current document
Command + Q: Quit the current application
Command + Tab: Switch between open applications
Command + Space: Open Spotlight search
Command + Option + Esc: Force quit an application
Command + W: Close the current window
Command + M: Minimize the current window
Command + Shift + N: Create a new folder
Command + Shift + 3: Take a screenshot of the entire screen
Command + Shift + 4: Take a screenshot of a selected area
Command +, (comma): Open the Preferences menu of the current application
Control + Command + Q: Lock the screen
Explanation of each shortcut key
Command + C: Copy selected item(s) – This shortcut key copies the selected text or item(s) to the clipboard. You can then paste it using Command + V.
Command + V: Paste selected item(s) – This shortcut key pastes the text or item(s) that you have previously copied or cut using Command + C or Command + X.
Command + X: Cut selected item(s) – This shortcut key removes the selected text or item(s) from its original location and places it on the clipboard. You can then paste it using Command + V.
Command + Z: Undo the previous action – This shortcut key undoes the previous action that you performed. You can use this shortcut key multiple times to undo multiple actions.
Command + A: Select all items – This shortcut key selects all items in the current window or document.
Command + F: Find a specific text or item – This shortcut key opens the Find dialog box, which allows you to search for a specific text or item within the current document or window.
Command + S: Save the current file or document – This shortcut key saves the changes that you have made to the current file or document.
Command + N: Create a new file or document – This shortcut key creates a new file or document in the current window or application.
Command + P: Print the current document – This shortcut key opens the Print dialog box, which allows you to print the current document.
Command + Q: Quit the current application – This shortcut key closes the current application.
Command + Tab: Switch between open applications – This shortcut key allows you to switch between open applications.
Command + Space: Open Spotlight search – This shortcut key opens Spotlight search, which allows you to search for files, folders, and applications on your Mac.
Command + Option + Esc: Force quit an application – This shortcut key opens the Force Quit Applications dialog box, which allows you to force quit a frozen or unresponsive application.
Command + W: Close the current window – This shortcut key closes the current window.
Command + M: Minimize the current window – This shortcut key minimizes the current window.
Command + Shift + N: Create a new folder – This shortcut key creates a new folder in the current directory.
Command + Shift + 3: Take a screenshot of the entire screen – This shortcut key takes a screenshot of the entire screen and saves it as a file on your desktop.
Command + Shift + 4: Take a screenshot of a selected area – This shortcut key allows you to select a specific area of the screen and take a screenshot of it.
Command +, (comma): Open the Preferences menu of the current application – This shortcut key opens the Preferences menu of the current application, allowing you to change its settings.
Control + Command + Q: Lock the screen – This shortcut key locks your Mac screen.
List of commonly used shortcut keys in Microsoft Office
Ctrl + C: Copy selected item(s)
Ctrl + V: Paste selected item(s)
Ctrl + X: Cut selected item(s)
Ctrl + Z: Undo the previous action
Ctrl + A: Select all items
Ctrl + F: Find a specific text or item
Ctrl + S: Save the current file or document
Ctrl + N: Create a new file or document
Ctrl + P: Print the current document
Ctrl + Q: Close the current window or application
Ctrl + W: Close the current document
Ctrl + Shift + C: Copy Formatting
Ctrl + Shift + V: Paste Formatting
Ctrl + B: Bold selected text
Ctrl + I: Italicize selected text
Ctrl + U: Underline selected text
Ctrl + E: Center selected text
Ctrl + L: Left-align selected text
Ctrl + R: Right-align selected text
Ctrl + Shift + L: Bulleted list
Explanation of each shortcut key
Ctrl + C: Copy selected item(s) – This shortcut key copies the selected text or item(s) to the clipboard. You can then paste it using Ctrl + V.
Ctrl + V: Paste selected item(s) – This shortcut key pastes the text or item(s) that you have previously copied or cut using Ctrl + C or Ctrl + X.
Ctrl + X: Cut selected item(s) – This shortcut key removes the selected text or item(s) from its original location and places it on the clipboard. You can then paste it using Ctrl + V.
Ctrl + Z: Undo the previous action – This shortcut key undoes the previous action that you performed. You can use this shortcut key multiple times to undo multiple actions.
Ctrl + A: Select all items – This shortcut key selects all items in the current window or document.
Ctrl + F: Find a specific text or item – This shortcut key opens the Find dialog box, which allows you to search for a specific text or item within the current document or window.
Ctrl + S: Save the current file or document – This shortcut key saves the changes that you have made to the current file or document.
Ctrl + N: Create a new file or document – This shortcut key creates a new file or document in the current window or application.
Ctrl + P: Print the current document – This shortcut key opens the Print dialog box, which allows you to print the current document.
Ctrl + Q: Close the current window or application – This shortcut key closes the current window or application.
Ctrl + W: Close the current document – This shortcut key closes the current document.
Ctrl + Shift + C: Copy formatting – This shortcut key copies the formatting of the selected text or item(s).
Ctrl + Shift + V: Paste formatting – This shortcut key pastes the formatting of the previously copied or cut text or item(s).
Ctrl + B: Bold selected text – This shortcut key bolds the selected text.
Ctrl + I: Italicize selected text – This shortcut key italicizes the selected text.
Ctrl + U: Underline selected text – This shortcut key underlines the selected text.
Ctrl + E: Center selected text – This shortcut key centers the selected text.
Ctrl + L: Left-align selected text – This shortcut key left-aligns the selected text.
Ctrl + R: Right-align selected text – This shortcut key right-aligns the selected text.
Ctrl + Shift + L: Bulleted list – This shortcut key adds a bulleted list to the selected text.
List of commonly used shortcut keys in Adobe Creative Suite
Ctrl + C: Copy selected item(s)
Ctrl + V: Paste selected item(s)
Ctrl + X: Cut selected item(s)
Ctrl + Z: Undo the previous action
Ctrl + Shift + Z: Redo the previous action
Ctrl + A: Select all items
Ctrl + D: Deselect all items
Ctrl + T: Transform selected item(s)
Ctrl + S: Save the current file or document
Ctrl + N: Create a new file or document
Ctrl + O: Open a file or document
Ctrl + W: Close the current document
Ctrl + Shift + W: Close all open documents
Ctrl + Shift + S: Save a copy of the current document
Ctrl + P: Print the current document
Ctrl + Alt + P: Print dialog box
Ctrl + G: Group selected item(s)
Ctrl + Shift + G: Ungroup selected item(s)
Ctrl + Shift + E: Merge all visible layers to a new layer
Ctrl + Shift + N: Create a new layer
Explanation of each shortcut key
Ctrl + C: Copy selected item(s) – This shortcut key copies the selected text, image or item(s) to the clipboard. You can then paste it using Ctrl + V.
Ctrl + V: Paste selected item(s) – This shortcut key pastes the text, image or item(s) that you have previously copied or cut using Ctrl + C or Ctrl + X.
Ctrl + X: Cut selected item(s) – This shortcut key removes the selected text, image or item(s) from its original location and places it on the clipboard. You can then paste it using Ctrl + V.
Ctrl + Z: Undo the previous action – This shortcut key undoes the previous action that you performed. You can use this shortcut key multiple times to undo multiple actions.
Ctrl + Shift + Z: Redo the previous action – This shortcut key redoes the previous action that you have undone using Ctrl + Z.
Ctrl + A: Select all items – This shortcut key selects all items in the current window or document.
Ctrl + D: Deselect all items – This shortcut key deselects all items in the current window or document.
Ctrl + T: Transform selected item(s) – This shortcut key allows you to transform the selected text, image, or item(s) by scaling, rotating, or skewing it.
Ctrl + S: Save the current file or document – This shortcut key saves the changes that you have made to the current file or document.
Ctrl + N: Create a new file or document – This shortcut key creates a new file or document in the current window or application.
Ctrl + O: Open a file or document – This shortcut key opens a file or document in the current window or application.
Ctrl + W: Close the current document – This shortcut key closes the current document.
Ctrl + Shift + W: Close all open documents – This shortcut key closes all open documents in the current window or application.
Ctrl + Shift + S: Save a copy of the current document – This shortcut key saves a copy of the current document with a new name or in a different location.
Ctrl + P: Print the current document – This shortcut key opens the Print dialog box, which allows you to print the current document.
Ctrl + Alt + P: Print dialog box – This shortcut key opens the Print dialog box, which allows you to adjust the printing settings and preview the printed document.
Ctrl + G: Group selected item(s) – This shortcut key groups the selected text, image or item(s) into a single object that can be manipulated as a whole.
Ctrl + Shift + G: Ungroup selected item(s) – This shortcut key ungroups the selected text, image or item(s) that have been previously grouped using Ctrl + G.
Ctrl + Shift + E: Merge all visible layers to a new layer – This shortcut key merges all visible layers in the current document into a new layer.
Ctrl + Shift + N: Create a new layer – This shortcut key creates a new layer in the current document.
List of commonly used shortcut keys in web browsers
Ctrl + T: Open a new tab
Ctrl + W: Close the current tab
Ctrl + Shift + T: Reopen the last closed tab
Ctrl + Tab: Switch to the next tab
Ctrl + Shift + Tab: Switch to the previous tab
Ctrl + L: Highlight the URL/address bar
F5 or Ctrl + R: Reload the current page
Ctrl + F: Open the find/search bar
Ctrl + +: Zoom in
Ctrl + -: Zoom out
Ctrl + 0: Reset zoom level to default
Ctrl + D: Bookmark the current page
Ctrl + Shift + B: Open or close the bookmarks bar
Ctrl + Shift + Del: Open the Clear browsing data dialog box
Ctrl + J: Open the Downloads page
Alt + Left Arrow: Go back to the previous page
Alt + Right Arrow: Go forward to the next page
F11: Toggle full-screen mode on or off
Ctrl + Shift + N: Open a new incognito/private window
Ctrl + Shift + P: Open a new private browsing window
Explanation of each shortcut key
Ctrl + T: Open a new tab – This shortcut key opens a new tab in the web browser.
Ctrl + W: Close the current tab – This shortcut key closes the current tab in the web browser.
Ctrl + Shift + T: Reopen the last closed tab – This shortcut key reopens the last tab that you closed in the web browser.
Ctrl + Tab: Switch to the next tab – This shortcut key switches to the next tab in the web browser.
Ctrl + Shift + Tab: Switch to the previous tab – This shortcut key switches to the previous tab in the web browser.
Ctrl + L: Highlight the URL/address bar – This shortcut key highlights the URL/address bar in the web browser, allowing you to enter a new URL or search term.
F5 or Ctrl + R: Reload the current page – This shortcut key reloads the current page in the web browser.
Ctrl + F: Open the find/search bar – This shortcut key opens the find/search bar in the web browser, allowing you to search for a specific word or phrase on the current page.
Ctrl + +: Zoom in – This shortcut key zooms in on the current page in the web browser.
Ctrl + -: Zoom out – This shortcut key zooms out on the current page in the web browser.
Ctrl + 0: Reset zoom level to default – This shortcut key resets the zoom level to the default level in the web browser.
Ctrl + D: Bookmark the current page – This shortcut key bookmarks the current page in the web browser, allowing you to easily access it in the future.
Ctrl + Shift + B: Open or close the bookmarks bar – This shortcut key opens or closes the bookmarks bar in the web browser, allowing you to easily access your bookmarks.
Ctrl + Shift + Del: Open the Clear browsing data dialog box – This shortcut key opens the Clear browsing data dialog box in the web browser, allowing you to clear your browsing history, cache, and other data.
Ctrl + J: Open the Downloads page – This shortcut key opens the Downloads page in the web browser, allowing you to view and manage your downloaded files.
Alt + Left Arrow: Go back to the previous page – This shortcut key takes you back to the previous page you visited in the web browser.
Alt + Right Arrow: Go forward to the next page – This shortcut key takes you forward to the next page you visited in the web browser.
F11: Toggle full-screen mode on or off – This shortcut key toggles full-screen mode on or off in the web browser.
Ctrl + Shift + N: Open a new incognito/private window – This shortcut key opens a new incognito or private window in the web browser, allowing you to browse the web without leaving a record of your activity.
Ctrl + Shift + P: Open a new private browsing window – This shortcut key opens a new private browsing window in the web browser, allowing you to browse the web without leaving a record of your activity.
List of other useful shortcut keys for various applications
Windows Key + L: Lock your computer in Windows.
Windows Key + E: Open File Explorer in Windows.
Windows Key + D: Show desktop in Windows.
Alt + Tab: Switch between open windows or applications in Windows.
Ctrl + Alt + Delete: Open Task Manager in Windows.
Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Open Task Manager directly in Windows.
Windows Key + P: Project your screen in Windows.
Windows Key + X: Open the Power User Menu in Windows.
Ctrl + C: Copy selected text or object in most applications.
Ctrl + X: Cut selected text or object in most applications.
Ctrl + V: Paste copied or cut text or objects in most applications.
Ctrl + Z: Undo the last action in most applications.
Ctrl + Y: Redo the last action in most applications.
Ctrl + A: Select all items in most applications.
Ctrl + S: Save the current file in most applications.
Ctrl + F: Open the find/search bar in most applications.
Ctrl + H: Open the replace bar in most applications.
Ctrl + N: Create a new document or file in most applications.
Ctrl + O: Open an existing document or file in most applications.
Ctrl + P: Print the current document or file in most applications.
Explanation of each shortcut key
Windows Key + L: This shortcut key locks your computer in Windows, which is useful when you need to step away from your computer but want to keep it secure.
Windows Key + E: This shortcut key opens File Explorer in Windows, allowing you to easily navigate through your files and folders.
Windows Key + D: This shortcut key shows the desktop in Windows, minimizing all open windows and applications so you can access files or shortcuts on your desktop.
Alt + Tab: This shortcut key allows you to switch between open windows or applications in Windows. Press and hold the Alt key, then press the Tab key to cycle through your open windows.
Ctrl + Alt + Delete: This shortcut key opens Task Manager in Windows, allowing you to view and manage running processes, applications, and services.
Ctrl + Shift + Esc: This shortcut key directly opens Task Manager in Windows, without having to go through the Ctrl + Alt + Delete menu.
Windows Key + P: This shortcut key allows you to project your screen in Windows, giving you options to duplicate or extend your display.
Windows Key + X: This shortcut key opens the Power User Menu in Windows, providing quick access to various system tools and settings.
Ctrl + C: This shortcut key copies selected text or object in most applications.
Ctrl + X: This shortcut key cuts selected text or object in most applications, removing it from its original location and placing it in your clipboard.
Ctrl + V: This shortcut key pastes copied or cut text or objects in most applications, inserting it into your current location.
Ctrl + Z: This shortcut key undoes the last action in most applications, allowing you to revert back to a previous state.
Ctrl + Y: This shortcut key redoes the last action in most applications, allowing you to restore an action that you have previously undone.
Ctrl + A: This shortcut key selects all items in most applications, allowing you to easily manipulate all items in a document or file.
Ctrl + S: This shortcut key saves the current file in most applications, allowing you to preserve your work.
Ctrl + F: This shortcut key opens the find/search bar in most applications, allowing you to search for specific text or content within a document or file.
Ctrl + H: This shortcut key opens the replace bar in most applications, allowing you to replace specific text or content within a document or file.
Ctrl + N: This shortcut key creates a new document or file in most applications, allowing you to start a new project.
Ctrl + O: This shortcut key opens an existing document or file in most applications, allowing you to access your previously saved work.
Ctrl + P: This shortcut key prints the current document or file in most applications, allowing you to create a hard copy of your work.
Explanation of the advantages of using shortcut keys
There are several advantages to using shortcut keys:
Time-saving: One of the biggest advantages of using shortcut keys is that they save you time. Instead of using the mouse to navigate through menus and options, shortcut keys allow you to perform common tasks quickly and efficiently.
Increased productivity: Using shortcut keys can help increase your productivity by allowing you to complete tasks more quickly and with less effort. This can be especially helpful if you have to perform repetitive tasks frequently.
Reduces physical strain: Using shortcut keys can also help reduce physical strain on your hands and wrists by reducing the amount of clicking and scrolling required to perform tasks. This can be especially helpful for people who suffer from conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome or other repetitive strain injuries.
Makes complex tasks easier: Some applications have a lot of features and functions that can be difficult to access and remember. Shortcut keys can make it easier to access these functions and perform complex tasks with fewer steps.
More precise control: Using shortcut keys can also give you more precise control over an application. For example, instead of using the mouse to highlight text, you can use shortcut keys to select specific words or lines of text.
Overall, using shortcut keys can help you work more efficiently, reduce physical strain, and have more precise control over applications. With practice and consistent use, you can become a power user of your favorite applications and achieve greater productivity.
Examples of how they can save time and increase productivity
Here are some examples of how using shortcut keys can save time and increase productivity:
In a word processor: Instead of using the mouse to select text and then right-clicking to bring up the copy menu, you can use the Ctrl+C shortcut key to quickly copy the text. Similarly, you can use Ctrl+V to paste the text in a new location. This can save you a lot of time when you need to copy and paste a lot of text.
In a web browser: Instead of using the mouse to navigate through the menus to find the bookmark you want, you can use the Ctrl+D shortcut key to quickly add the current page to your bookmarks. Similarly, you can use Ctrl+T to quickly open a new tab, and Ctrl+W to quickly close the current tab. These shortcut keys can save you a lot of time when you need to manage multiple tabs and bookmarks.
In a spreadsheet: Instead of using the mouse to navigate through the menus to find the sum function, you can use the Alt+= shortcut key to quickly add up a column of numbers. Similarly, you can use Ctrl+C to copy a formula and Ctrl+V to paste it into a new location. These shortcut keys can save you a lot of time when you need to work with large amounts of data.
In an image editor: Instead of using the mouse to navigate through the menus to find the crop tool, you can use the Ctrl+Shift+C shortcut key to quickly crop an image. Similarly, you can use Ctrl+Z to undo a mistake and Ctrl+Y to redo it. These shortcut keys can save you a lot of time when you need to make precise edits to an image.
Overall, using shortcut keys can save you time and increase productivity by allowing you to perform common tasks quickly and efficiently. They can also help you work more accurately and with greater precision, which can lead to better results.