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`+`↓`	MS Outlook (New)	Select the current and next message in the list. Use this to select multiple, contiguous messages.
`Shift`+`↑`	MS Outlook (New)	Select the current and previous messages in the list. Use this to select multiple, contiguous messages.
`Home`or`Ctrl`+`Home`	MS Outlook (New)	Select the first message in the folder.
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`R`	MS Outlook (New)	Select the Reply All option.
`Ctrl`+`Enter`	MS Outlook (New)	Send a message.
`Ctrl`+`Enter`	MS Outlook (New)	Send email message.
`0139`	MS Outlook (New)	Single left angled quotation mark (‹)
`0155`	MS Outlook (New)	Single right angled quotation mark (›)
`0153`	MS Outlook (New)	Trademark symbol ™
`0217`	MS Outlook (New)	Ù
`0249`	MS Outlook (New)	ù
`0218`	MS Outlook (New)	Ú
`0250`	MS Outlook (New)	ú
`0219`	MS Outlook (New)	Û
`0251`	MS Outlook (New)	û
`0220`	MS Outlook (New)	Ü
`0252`	MS Outlook (New)	ü
`Ctrl`+`U`	MS Outlook (New)	Underline text.
`Esc`	MS Outlook (New)	Unselect all contacts or contact lists.
`0197`	MS Outlook (New)	Uppercase A with an overring, A-ring (Å)
`0198`	MS Outlook (New)	Uppercase AE diphthong or uppercase ash (Æ)
`0199`	MS Outlook (New)	Uppercase C-cedilla (Ç)
`0208`	MS Outlook (New)	Uppercase eth (Ð)
`0216`	MS Outlook (New)	Uppercase O with a stroke (Ø)
`0140`	MS Outlook (New)	Uppercase OE diphthong (Œ)
`0138`	MS Outlook (New)	Uppercase S with caron (Š)
`0222`	MS Outlook (New)	Uppercase thorn (Þ)
`0142`	MS Outlook (New)	Uppercase Z with caron (Ž)
`0221`	MS Outlook (New)	Ý
`0253`	MS Outlook (New)	ý
`0159`	MS Outlook (New)	Ÿ
`0255`	MS Outlook (New)	ÿ
`0165`	MS Outlook (New)	Yen sign ¥
`Ctrl`+`K`then`Ctrl`+`C`	MS VSCode	Add line comment
`Ctrl`+`D`	MS VSCode	Add selection to next Find match
`Ctrl`+`K`then`M`	MS VSCode	Change file language
`Ctrl`+`F4`	MS VSCode	Close
`Ctrl`+`K`then`Ctrl`+`W`	MS VSCode	Close All
`Ctrl`+`F4`	MS VSCode	Close editor
`Ctrl`+`W`	MS VSCode	Close editor
`Ctrl`+`K`then`F`	MS VSCode	Close folder
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`W`	MS VSCode	Close window/instance
`Shift`+`Alt`+`drag mouse`	MS VSCode	Column (box) selection
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`Alt`+`Arrow`	MS VSCode	Column (box) selection
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`Alt`+`PgUp`or`PgDn`	MS VSCode	Column (box) selection page up/down
`Ctrl`+`C`	MS VSCode	Copy line (empty selection)
`Shift`+`Alt`+`↓`or`↑`	MS VSCode	Copy line up/down
`Ctrl`+`K`then`P`	MS VSCode	Copy path of active file
`Ctrl`+`C`	MS VSCode	Copy selection
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`	MS VSCode	Create new terminal

Shortcut Learning Strategy

Start with frequent tasks

Mind the platform

Practice in context

Related References