Productivity Reference

Keyboard Shortcuts

A keyboard shortcut is a combination of keys that performs a specific action. The shortcuts typically involve one or more modifier keys such as Ctrl, Alt, or Command combined with another key usually a letter, number, or punctuation symbol. By using keyboard shortcuts, you can bypass navigating through menus and dialog boxes in software applications. Tasks that would normally require multiple clicks with a mouse can be accomplished swiftly using shortcuts, and you will be less relying on mouse movements. Professionals who use keyboard shortcuts efficiently perform repetitive actions more quickly. Most software allows customization of keyboard shortcuts. Users can assign their preferred shortcuts for specific functions. Additionally, each application often has its own unique set of shortcuts. We have crafted shortcuts for most commonly used applications across multiple platforms.

Practical Notes

Shortcut Learning Strategy

Keyboard shortcuts are easiest to adopt when you focus on repeated actions instead of trying to memorize an entire application at once.

Start with frequent tasks

Learn the commands you use every hour: search, save, switch tabs, copy, paste, undo, and open command menus.

Mind the platform

The same action may use Ctrl on Windows or Linux and Command on macOS.

Practice in context

Shortcuts stick faster when you use them during real work instead of reading a list once.

Shortcut	Application	Action
`Shift`+`Space`	MS Edge	Scroll up webpage, one screen at a time
`PgUp`	MS Edge	Scroll up webpage, one screen at a time
`F4`	MS Edge	Select the URL in the address bar
`Alt`+`D`	MS Edge	Select the URL in the address bar to edit
`Ctrl`+`L`	MS Edge	Select the URL in the address bar to edit
`Alt`+`Shift`+`T`	MS Edge	Set focus on the first item in the app bar toolbar
`Alt`+`Shift`+`B`	MS Edge	Set focus on the first item in the favorites bar
`Alt`	MS Edge	Set focus on the Settings and more button
`F10`	MS Edge	Set focus on the Settings and more button
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`B`	MS Edge	Show or hide the favorites bar
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`M`	MS Edge	Sign in as a different user or browse as a Guest
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`U`	MS Edge	Start or stop Read Aloud
`Esc`	MS Edge	Stop loading page; close dialog or pop-up
`Ctrl`+`1`then2 ... 8	MS Edge	Switch to a specific tab
`Ctrl`+`9`	MS Edge	Switch to the last tab
`Ctrl`+`Tab`	MS Edge	Switch to the next tab
`Ctrl`+`PgDn`	MS Edge	Switch to the next tab
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`Tab`	MS Edge	Switch to the previous tab
`Ctrl`+`PgUp`	MS Edge	Switch to the previous tab
`Ctrl`+`in a PDF`	MS Edge	Toggle PDF between fit to page / fit to width
`F7`	MS Edge	Turn caret browsing on or off
`Ctrl`+`U`	MS Edge	View source
`Ctrl`+`+`	MS Edge	Zoom in
`Ctrl`+`-`	MS Edge	Zoom out
`Ctrl`+`Enter`	Google Docs	Add www. and .com to your input in the address bar, then open the page
`Shift`+`Ctrl`and+`-`	Google Docs	Change screen resolution
`Alt`+1 through Alt+`8`	Google Docs	Click icons 1-8 on your shelf
`Alt`+`9`	Google Docs	Click the last icon on your shelf
`Ctrl`+`W`	Google Docs	Close current file
`Ctrl`+`W`	Google Docs	Close the current tab
`Shift`+`Ctrl`+`W`	Google Docs	Close the current window
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`w`	Google Docs	Close window
`Ctrl`+`C`	Google Docs	Copy selected content to the clipboard
`Shift`+`search`+`=`	Google Docs	Create a new desk
`Ctrl`+`X`	Google Docs	Cut
`Ctrl`+`[`	Google Docs	Dedent the current line by one indent unit
`Ctrl`+`D`	Google Docs	Delete line
`Shift`+`Alt`+`Backspace`	Google Docs	Delete selected Autofill suggestion when filling out a form
`Alt`+`Backspace`	Google Docs	Delete the next letter (forward delete)
`Ctrl`+`Backspace`	Google Docs	Delete the previous word
`Alt`+Brightness Key	Google Docs	Dim keyboard (for backlit keyboards only)
`Ctrl`+`.`	Google Docs	Display hidden files in the Files app
`Alt`+`left square bracket`	Google Docs	Dock a window on the left
`Alt`+`right square bracket`	Google Docs	Dock a window on the right
`Ctrl`+`F`	Google Docs	Find in current file
`Ctrl`+`E`	Google Docs	Focus the sidebar
`Alt`+`Shift`+`A`	Google Docs	Go to an inactive information field
Search Key+`Ctrl`+Arrow Left (or) Launcher Key+`Ctrl`+`←`	Google Docs	Go to beginning of document
`Ctrl`+`Alt`+`↓`	Google Docs	Go to bottom of page
Search Key+`Ctrl`+Arrow Right (or) Launcher Key+`Ctrl`+`→`	Google Docs	Go to end of document

Shortcut Learning Strategy

Start with frequent tasks

Mind the platform

Practice in context

Related References