Computer Keyboard Shortcut Keys

Shortcut keys help provide an easier and quicker method of navigating and executing commands in computer software. Shortcut keys are commonly accessed by using the Alt key (on IBM compatible computers), Command key (on Apple computers), Ctrl key, or Shift key in conjunction with another key. The de facto standard for listing a shortcut is listing the modifier key, a plus symbol, and another key. In other words, "Ctrl+S" is telling you to press and hold the Ctrl key, and then press the S key too.

Shortcut Keys            Description

Alt+F                          File menu options in current program.

Alt+E                          Edit options in current program.

Alt+Tab                      Switch between open programs.

F1                                View help information (F1 is used by almost every Windows program to display help).

F2                                 Rename a selected file.

F5                                 Refresh the current program window.

Ctrl+N                         Create a new or blank document in some software, or open a new tab in most Internet browsers.

Ctrl+O                         Open a file in the current software.

Ctrl+A                         Select all text.

Ctrl+B                         Change selected text to be bold.

Ctrl+I                           Change selected text to be in italics.

Ctrl+U                         Change selected text to be underlined.

Ctrl+F                          Open find window for current document or window.

Ctrl+S                          Save current document file.

Ctrl+X                         Cut selected item.

Shift+Del                    Cut selected item.

Ctrl+C                         Copy selected item.

Ctrl+Ins                       Copy selected item

Ctrl+V                         Paste

Shift+Ins                     Paste

Ctrl+Y                         Redo last action.

Ctrl+Z                         Undo last action.

Ctrl+K                         Insert hyperlink for selected text.

Ctrl+P                         Print the current page or document.

Home                          Goes to beginning of current line.

Ctrl+Home                 Goes to beginning of document.

End                             Goes to end of current line.

Ctrl+End                    Goes to end of document.

Shift+Home               Highlights from current position to beginning of line.

Shift+End                  Highlights from current position to end of line.

Ctrl+Left arrow         Moves one word to the left at a time.

Ctrl+Right arrow       Moves one word to the right at a time.

Ctrl+Esc                    Opens the Start menu.

Ctrl+Shift+Esc          Opens Windows Task Manager.

Alt+F4                       Close the currently active program.

Alt+Enter                         Open the properties for the selected item (file, folder, shortcut, etc.).