By Rachel Guise, PPS Editor
Chances are, you either use Microsoft Word now, or may have to use it in the future. It’s easily the most popular word processor for Windows, so learning some useful Microsoft Word tips to take advantage of could really help to improve your productivity and speed up your work. Some Windows keyboard shortcuts conflict with the corresponding default Mac OS keyboard shortcuts. To use these shortcuts, you may have to change your Mac keyboard settings to change the Show Desktop shortcut for the key. Move one character to the left. Move one character to the right. Option + Arrow Left. The Mac keyboard shortcut command Shift S will perform the Save As action. Save As is a global Mac keyboard shortcut that is usually located in the File menu. This keyboard shortcut for Save As is available in Mac OS X and may also be available with other versions of Mac OS.
FileNew Classic Dialog for Word 2002-2019 - Adds a New File or Template Button on left end of Home Tab together with a keyboard shortcut. It Ribbon versions of Word, it also adds a QAT button or icon. AutoSummarize was removed from Microsoft Word for Mac OS X 2011, although it was present in Word for Mac 2008. AutoSummarize was removed from the Office 2010 release version (14) as well. There are many shortcuts that can be used in Microsoft Word, however, there are a couple of mostly used shortcuts.
What is a keyboard shortcut?
Keyboard shortcuts are combinations of keys that initiate acommand in the program that you’re using. The following lists are keycombinations that can be used in Microsoft programs as well as most searchengines. TurboFutureprovides lists of the most used keyboard shortcuts as well as some that are notcommonly used for all platforms.
As a PC user, Ctrl + S is my most used keyboard shortcut forall three programs. When working on several projects a day, clicking Ctrl + Swhile making edits becomes second nature and ensures none of my changes arelost. Another shortcut that I frequently use is Ctrl + A. This is helpful inWord when you have global edits such as changing the font or font size in adocument. You can also use this shortcut in Excel to change font formatting. Ctrl+ Z is another often used shortcut because, hey, I make mistakes.
Microsoft Word
The following is a list of PC keyboard shortcuts that workin Microsoft Word. HowtoGeekbreaks down keyboard shortcuts by their functions.
Ctrl + A = Select all text in document
Ctrl + B = Bold highlighted text
Ctrl + C = Copy highlighted text
Ctrl + D = Opens Font preferences box
Ctrl + E = Align highlighted text center
Ctrl + Enter = Insert new page within current document
Ctrl + F = Opens Find tool (opens the Navigation pane)
Ctrl + G = Opens Go to tool (in the Navigation pane)
Ctrl + H = Opens Replace tool (in the Navigation pane)
Ctrl + I = Italic highlighted text
Ctrl + J = Justify highlighted text
Ctrl + K = Opens Insert Hyperlink box
Ctrl + L = Align highlighted text left
Ctrl + M = Inserts paragraph indent
Ctrl + N = Opens new document
Ctrl + O = Opens Open file window
Ctrl + P = Opens Print window
Ctrl + R = Align highlighted text left or right
Ctrl + S = Savesthe document as it is currently named
Ctrl + U = Underline highlighted text
Ctrl + V = Paste copied or cut text
Ctrl + W = Close document
Ctrl + X = Cut (text must be selected to use this shortcut)
Ctrl + Y = Redo last action
Ctrl + Z = Undo last action
Ctrl + + = Set highlighted text subscript
F1 = Opens the Help windowpane
F7 = Spellcheck (opens the Editor pane to check spelling andgrammar)
F12 = Save as (opens the Save As window, so that thedocument can be saved using a new name or in a new location)
Shift + arrow keys = Select multiple letters
Ctrl + arrow keys = Select multiple words
MAC (also known as Apple) computers use many of the sameshortcut keys as PCs. Note that Ctrl on a PC keyboard and control on a MACkeyboard do not always serve the same function. Where you would use Ctrl on aPC, you’ll use the ⌘ command key on a MAC. Microsoftprovides a complete list of shortcuts for MAC users, but here is a list of themost often used shortcuts.
⌘ + A = Select all
⌘ + B = Bold
⌘ + C or Shift + F2 =Copy selected text
⌘ + F = Find
⌘ + H = Hide windows
⌘ + I = Italic
⌘ + N = Opens newdocument or window
⌘ + O = Open
⌘ + P = Print
⌘ + Q = Quit
Save Shortcut Keys
⌘ + S = Save
⌘ + T = Switch between open apps
⌘ + U = Underline
⌘ + V = Paste copied orcut text
⌘ + X = Cut
⌘ + Z = Undo last action
⌘ + + = Set subscript
Option + ⌘ +G = Opens Go to box
Option + ⌘ +L = Opens Spelling and Grammar box
Control + F = Find
Microsoft Excel
Several of the PC keyboard shortcuts used in Word also applyto Excel(e.g., Ctrl + S).
Ctrl + D = Delete cell text
Ctrl + F = Find
Ctrl + G = Opens Go to box
Ctrl + H = Opens Replace box
Ctrl + K = Opens Insert Hyperlink box
Ctrl + L = Create table
Ctrl + N = Opens new workbook
Ctrl + O = Opens selected workbook
Ctrl + W = Closes workbook
Ctrl + Y = Redo last action
Ctrl + Z = Undo last action
Ctrl + ; = Insert the current date
Ctrl + : = Insert the current time
F7 = Spellcheck
Alt + F = Opens selected File
Likewise, Excel keyboard shortcuts are similar for MACusers as well.
⌘ + A = Select all
⌘ + C = Copy
⌘ + P = Opens Printwindow
⌘ + Q = Quit
⌘ + S = Save
⌘ + U = Underline
⌘ + V = Paste copied orcut text
⌘ + Z = Undo last action
Some, however, are different from Word or are specific toExcel.
Option + G = Opens Go to box
F7 = Opens Check Spelling and Grammar box
Control + Shift = Insert cell
⌘ + 1 = Format Cells box
Shift + F3 = Display Formula Builder
Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Acrobat’s click for Websiteprovides instructions to use shortcuts while working in PDFs. The website usestables to organize which shortcuts work with different types of tools. Itincludes a column for PC functions as well as MAC. Like Excel, some of the Wordkeyboard shortcuts work in Adobe.
Ctrl/⌘ +A = Select all
Ctrl/⌘ +C = Copy
Ctrl/⌘ +N = New
Ctrl/⌘ +S = Save
Ctrl/⌘ +Z = Undo
Adobe also provides instructions to use single-keyshortcuts while working in PDFs. Many are the same for PC and MAC.
C = Crop tool
H = Hand tool
S = Stick Note tool
U = Highlighting tool
X = Textbox tool
Ctrl/⌘ +equal sign = Zoom in
Ctrl/⌘ +hyphen = Zoom out
Ctrl/⌘ +F4 = Close file
To use a keyboard shortcut, press and hold one or more modifier keys and then press the last key of the shortcut. For example, to use Command-C (copy), press and hold the Command key, then the C key, then release both keys. Mac menus and keyboards often use symbols for certain keys, including modifier keys:
On keyboards made for Windows PCs, use the Alt key instead of Option, and the Windows logo key instead of Command.
Microsoft Word Save As Shortcut Mac Screenshot
Some keys on some Apple keyboards have special symbols and functions, such as for display brightness , keyboard brightness , Mission Control, and more. If these functions aren't available on your keyboard, you might be able to reproduce some of them by creating your own keyboard shortcuts. To use these keys as F1, F2, F3, or other standard function keys, combine them with the Fn key.
Cut, copy, paste, and other common shortcuts
- Command-X: Cut the selected item and copy it to the Clipboard.
- Command-C: Copy the selected item to the Clipboard. This also works for files in the Finder.
- Command-V: Paste the contents of the Clipboard into the current document or app. This also works for files in the Finder.
- Command-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.
- Command-A: Select All items.
- Command-F: Find items in a document or open a Find window.
- Command-G: Find Again: Find the next occurrence of the item previously found. To find the previous occurrence, press Shift-Command-G.
- Command-H: Hide the windows of the front app. To view the front app but hide all other apps, press Option-Command-H.
- Command-M: Minimize the front window to the Dock. To minimize all windows of the front app, press Option-Command-M.
- Command-O: Open the selected item, or open a dialog to select a file to open.
- Command-P: Print the current document.
- Command-S: Save the current document.
- Command-T: Open a new tab.
- Command-W: Close the front window. To close all windows of the app, press Option-Command-W.
- Option-Command-Esc: Force quit an app.
- Command–Space bar: Show or hide the Spotlight search field. To perform a Spotlight search from a Finder window, press Command–Option–Space bar. (If you use multiple input sources to type in different languages, these shortcuts change input sources instead of showing Spotlight. Learn how to change a conflicting keyboard shortcut.)
- Control–Command–Space bar: Show the Character Viewer, from which you can choose emoji and other symbols.
- Control-Command-F: Use the app in full screen, if supported by the app.
- Space bar: Use Quick Look to preview the selected item.
- Command-Tab: Switch to the next most recently used app among your open apps.
- Shift-Command-5: In macOS Mojave or later, take a screenshot or make a screen recording. Or use Shift-Command-3 or Shift-Command-4 for screenshots. Learn more about screenshots.
- Shift-Command-N: Create a new folder in the Finder.
- Command-Comma (,): Open preferences for the front app.
Sleep, log out, and shut down shortcuts
You might need to press and hold some of these shortcuts for slightly longer than other shortcuts. This helps you to avoid using them unintentionally.
- Power button: Press to turn on your Mac or wake it from sleep. Press and hold for 1.5 seconds to put your Mac to sleep.* Continue holding to force your Mac to turn off.
- Option–Command–Power button* or Option–Command–Media Eject : Put your Mac to sleep.
- Control–Shift–Power button* or Control–Shift–Media Eject : Put your displays to sleep.
- Control–Power button* or Control–Media Eject : Display a dialog asking whether you want to restart, sleep, or shut down.
- Control–Command–Power button:* Force your Mac to restart, without prompting to save any open and unsaved documents.
- Control–Command–Media Eject : Quit all apps, then restart your Mac. If any open documents have unsaved changes, you will be asked whether you want to save them.
- Control–Option–Command–Power button* or Control–Option–Command–Media Eject : Quit all apps, then shut down your Mac. If any open documents have unsaved changes, you will be asked whether you want to save them.
- Control-Command-Q: Immediately lock your screen.
- Shift-Command-Q: Log out of your macOS user account. You will be asked to confirm. To log out immediately without confirming, press Option-Shift-Command-Q.
* Does not apply to the Touch ID sensor.
Finder and system shortcuts
- Command-D: Duplicate the selected files.
- Command-E: Eject the selected disk or volume.
- Command-F: Start a Spotlight search in the Finder window.
- Command-I: Show the Get Info window for a selected file.
- Command-R: (1) When an alias is selected in the Finder: show the original file for the selected alias. (2) In some apps, such as Calendar or Safari, refresh or reload the page. (3) In Software Update preferences, check for software updates again.
- Shift-Command-C: Open the Computer window.
- Shift-Command-D: Open the desktop folder.
- Shift-Command-F: Open the Recents window, showing all of the files you viewed or changed recently.
- Shift-Command-G: Open a Go to Folder window.
- Shift-Command-H: Open the Home folder of the current macOS user account.
- Shift-Command-I: Open iCloud Drive.
- Shift-Command-K: Open the Network window.
- Option-Command-L: Open the Downloads folder.
- Shift-Command-N: Create a new folder.
- Shift-Command-O: Open the Documents folder.
- Shift-Command-P: Show or hide the Preview pane in Finder windows.
- Shift-Command-R: Open the AirDrop window.
- Shift-Command-T: Show or hide the tab bar in Finder windows.
- Control-Shift-Command-T: Add selected Finder item to the Dock (OS X Mavericks or later)
- Shift-Command-U: Open the Utilities folder.
- Option-Command-D: Show or hide the Dock.
- Control-Command-T: Add the selected item to the sidebar (OS X Mavericks or later).
- Option-Command-P: Hide or show the path bar in Finder windows.
- Option-Command-S: Hide or show the Sidebar in Finder windows.
- Command–Slash (/): Hide or show the status bar in Finder windows.
- Command-J: Show View Options.
- Command-K: Open the Connect to Server window.
- Control-Command-A: Make an alias of the selected item.
- Command-N: Open a new Finder window.
- Option-Command-N: Create a new Smart Folder.
- Command-T: Show or hide the tab bar when a single tab is open in the current Finder window.
- Option-Command-T: Show or hide the toolbar when a single tab is open in the current Finder window.
- Option-Command-V: Move the files in the Clipboard from their original location to the current location.
- Command-Y: Use Quick Look to preview the selected files.
- Option-Command-Y: View a Quick Look slideshow of the selected files.
- Command-1: View the items in the Finder window as icons.
- Command-2: View the items in a Finder window as a list.
- Command-3: View the items in a Finder window in columns.
- Command-4: View the items in a Finder window in a gallery.
- Command–Left Bracket ([): Go to the previous folder.
- Command–Right Bracket (]): Go to the next folder.
- Command–Up Arrow: Open the folder that contains the current folder.
- Command–Control–Up Arrow: Open the folder that contains the current folder in a new window.
- Command–Down Arrow: Open the selected item.
- Right Arrow: Open the selected folder. This works only when in list view.
- Left Arrow: Close the selected folder. This works only when in list view.
- Command-Delete: Move the selected item to the Trash.
- Shift-Command-Delete: Empty the Trash.
- Option-Shift-Command-Delete: Empty the Trash without confirmation dialog.
- Command–Brightness Down: Turn video mirroring on or off when your Mac is connected to more than one display.
- Option–Brightness Up: Open Displays preferences. This works with either Brightness key.
- Control–Brightness Up or Control–Brightness Down: Change the brightness of your external display, if supported by your display.
- Option–Shift–Brightness Up or Option–Shift–Brightness Down: Adjust the display brightness in smaller steps. Add the Control key to this shortcut to make the adjustment on your external display, if supported by your display.
- Option–Mission Control: Open Mission Control preferences.
- Command–Mission Control: Show the desktop.
- Control–Down Arrow: Show all windows of the front app.
- Option–Volume Up: Open Sound preferences. This works with any of the volume keys.
- Option–Shift–Volume Up or Option–Shift–Volume Down: Adjust the sound volume in smaller steps.
- Option–Keyboard Brightness Up: Open Keyboard preferences. This works with either Keyboard Brightness key.
- Option–Shift–Keyboard Brightness Up or Option–Shift–Keyboard Brightness Down: Adjust the keyboard brightness in smaller steps.
- Option key while double-clicking: Open the item in a separate window, then close the original window.
- Command key while double-clicking: Open a folder in a separate tab or window.
- Command key while dragging to another volume: Move the dragged item to the other volume, instead of copying it.
- Option key while dragging: Copy the dragged item. The pointer changes while you drag the item.
- Option-Command while dragging: Make an alias of the dragged item. The pointer changes while you drag the item.
- Option-click a disclosure triangle: Open all folders within the selected folder. This works only when in list view.
- Command-click a window title: See the folders that contain the current folder.
- Learn how to use Command or Shift to select multiple items in the Finder.
- Click the Go menu in the Finder menu bar to see shortcuts for opening many commonly used folders, such as Applications, Documents, Downloads, Utilities, and iCloud Drive.
Document shortcuts
The behavior of these shortcuts may vary with the app you're using.
- Command-B: Boldface the selected text, or turn boldfacing on or off.
- Command-I: Italicize the selected text, or turn italics on or off.
- Command-K: Add a web link.
- Command-U: Underline the selected text, or turn underlining on or off.
- Command-T: Show or hide the Fonts window.
- Command-D: Select the Desktop folder from within an Open dialog or Save dialog.
- Control-Command-D: Show or hide the definition of the selected word.
- Shift-Command-Colon (:): Display the Spelling and Grammar window.
- Command-Semicolon (;): Find misspelled words in the document.
- Option-Delete: Delete the word to the left of the insertion point.
- Control-H: Delete the character to the left of the insertion point. Or use Delete.
- Control-D: Delete the character to the right of the insertion point. Or use Fn-Delete.
- Fn-Delete: Forward delete on keyboards that don't have a Forward Delete key. Or use Control-D.
- Control-K: Delete the text between the insertion point and the end of the line or paragraph.
- Fn–Up Arrow: Page Up: Scroll up one page.
- Fn–Down Arrow: Page Down: Scroll down one page.
- Fn–Left Arrow: Home: Scroll to the beginning of a document.
- Fn–Right Arrow: End: Scroll to the end of a document.
- Command–Up Arrow: Move the insertion point to the beginning of the document.
- Command–Down Arrow: Move the insertion point to the end of the document.
- Command–Left Arrow: Move the insertion point to the beginning of the current line.
- Command–Right Arrow: Move the insertion point to the end of the current line.
- Option–Left Arrow: Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word.
- Option–Right Arrow: Move the insertion point to the end of the next word.
- Shift–Command–Up Arrow: Select the text between the insertion point and the beginning of the document.
- Shift–Command–Down Arrow: Select the text between the insertion point and the end of the document.
- Shift–Command–Left Arrow: Select the text between the insertion point and the beginning of the current line.
- Shift–Command–Right Arrow: Select the text between the insertion point and the end of the current line.
- Shift–Up Arrow: Extend text selection to the nearest character at the same horizontal location on the line above.
- Shift–Down Arrow: Extend text selection to the nearest character at the same horizontal location on the line below.
- Shift–Left Arrow: Extend text selection one character to the left.
- Shift–Right Arrow: Extend text selection one character to the right.
- Option–Shift–Up Arrow: Extend text selection to the beginning of the current paragraph, then to the beginning of the following paragraph if pressed again.
- Option–Shift–Down Arrow: Extend text selection to the end of the current paragraph, then to the end of the following paragraph if pressed again.
- Option–Shift–Left Arrow: Extend text selection to the beginning of the current word, then to the beginning of the following word if pressed again.
- Option–Shift–Right Arrow: Extend text selection to the end of the current word, then to the end of the following word if pressed again.
- Control-A: Move to the beginning of the line or paragraph.
- Control-E: Move to the end of a line or paragraph.
- Control-F: Move one character forward.
- Control-B: Move one character backward.
- Control-L: Center the cursor or selection in the visible area.
- Control-P: Move up one line.
- Control-N: Move down one line.
- Control-O: Insert a new line after the insertion point.
- Control-T: Swap the character behind the insertion point with the character in front of the insertion point.
- Command–Left Curly Bracket ({): Left align.
- Command–Right Curly Bracket (}): Right align.
- Shift–Command–Vertical bar (|): Center align.
- Option-Command-F: Go to the search field.
- Option-Command-T: Show or hide a toolbar in the app.
- Option-Command-C: Copy Style: Copy the formatting settings of the selected item to the Clipboard.
- Option-Command-V: Paste Style: Apply the copied style to the selected item.
- Option-Shift-Command-V: Paste and Match Style: Apply the style of the surrounding content to the item pasted within that content.
- Option-Command-I: Show or hide the inspector window.
- Shift-Command-P: Page setup: Display a window for selecting document settings.
- Shift-Command-S: Display the Save As dialog, or duplicate the current document.
- Shift–Command–Minus sign (-): Decrease the size of the selected item.
- Shift–Command–Plus sign (+): Increase the size of the selected item. Command–Equal sign (=) performs the same function.
- Shift–Command–Question mark (?): Open the Help menu.
Other shortcuts
For more shortcuts, check the shortcut abbreviations shown in the menus of your apps. Every app can have its own shortcuts, and shortcuts that work in one app might not work in another.
- Apple Music shortcuts: Choose Help > Keyboard shortcuts from the menu bar in the Music app.
- Other shortcuts: Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Keyboard, then click Shortcuts.
Learn more
- Create your own shortcuts and resolve conflicts between shortcuts
- Change the behavior of the function keys or modifier keys