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
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`]`	MS VSCode	Unfold (uncollapse) region
`Ctrl`+`,`	MS VSCode	User Settings
`Ctrl`+`K`then`Z`	MS VSCode	Zen Mode (Esc Esc to exit)
`Ctrl`+`=`or`-`	MS VSCode	Zoom in/out
`Enter`	LibreOffice	Activates the focused indicator button.
`Insert`	LibreOffice	After making a selection, opens the Paste Special dialog.
`Esc`	LibreOffice	Cancels selection.
`Esc`	LibreOffice	Cancels the current cell edit.
`Ctrl`+`"`	LibreOffice	Copies the contents of the cell above the cursor into the current cell, but remains in cell edit mode so that you can make further changes. (Use the single apostrophe key.)
`Ctrl`+`Insert`	LibreOffice	Copies the selected cell or cell range to the clipboard in preparation for a later paste operation.
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`Enter`	LibreOffice	Creates a matrix in the current range using the information entered on the input line.
`Tab`	LibreOffice	Cycles through each outline indicator from top to bottom or left to right.
`Shift`+`Tab`	LibreOffice	Cycles through each outline indicator in the opposite direction.
`Arrow Keys`	LibreOffice	Cycles through indicator buttons in the direction of the arrow.
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`F9`	LibreOffice	Data > Calculate > Recalculate Hard.
`F9`	LibreOffice	Data > Calculate > Recalculate.
`F12`	LibreOffice	Data > Group and Outline > Group.
`Ctrl`+`F12`	LibreOffice	Data > Group and Outline > Ungroup.
`Alt`+`←`	LibreOffice	Decreases the width of the current column.
`Del`	LibreOffice	Deletes cell contents without a dialog (does not remove formatting).
`Shift`+`Backspace`	LibreOffice	Deselects the current cell selection without deleting contents.
`Shift`+`F1`	LibreOffice	Display context-sensitive help.
`Ctrl`+`F1`	LibreOffice	Display the comment attached to the current cell.
`F2`	LibreOffice	Edit > Cell Edit Mode.
`Ctrl`+`C`	LibreOffice	Edit > Copy. Copy icon on the Standard toolbar.
`Ctrl`+`X`	LibreOffice	Edit > Cut. Cut icon on the Standard toolbar.
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`M`	LibreOffice	Edit > Edit Mode.
`Ctrl`+`H`	LibreOffice	Edit > Find and Replace. Find and Replace icon on the Standard toolbar.
`Ctrl`+`F`	LibreOffice	Edit > Find.
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`V`	LibreOffice	Edit > Paste Special > Paste Special.
`Ctrl`+`Alt`+`Shift`+`V`	LibreOffice	Edit > Paste Special > Paste Unformatted Text.
`Ctrl`+`V`	LibreOffice	Edit > Paste. Paste icon on the Standard toolbar.
`Ctrl`+`Y`	LibreOffice	Edit > Redo. Redo icon on the Standard toolbar.
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`Y`	LibreOffice	Edit > Repeat.
`Ctrl`+`Space`	LibreOffice	Edit > Select > Select Column.
`Ctrl`+`*`	LibreOffice	Edit > Select > Select Data Area (use the * key on the numeric keypad).
`Shift`+`Space`	LibreOffice	Edit > Select > Select Row.
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+Pg Down	LibreOffice	Edit > Select > Select to Next Sheet.
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+Pg Up	LibreOffice	Edit > Select > Select to Previous Sheet.
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`Space`	LibreOffice	Edit > Select All.
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`C`	LibreOffice	Edit > Track Changes > Record.
`Ctrl`+`Z`	LibreOffice	Edit > Undo. Undo icon on the Standard toolbar.
`+`or`-`	LibreOffice	Enlarges or shrinks the chart (use the + / - keys in the numeric keypad).
F2 in titles	LibreOffice	Enters text input mode.
`Alt`+`=`	LibreOffice	Equivalent to selecting Select Function > Sum on the Formula bar.
`Ctrl`+F3 in legendsanddata series	LibreOffice	Exits groups.
`Ctrl`+`Q`	LibreOffice	File > Exit LibreOffice.
`Ctrl`+`N`	LibreOffice	File > New > Spreadsheet. New icon on the Standard toolbar.
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`N`	LibreOffice	File > New > Templates. File > Templates > Manage Templates. Via drop-down menu on New icon on the Standard toolbar.
`Ctrl`+`O`	LibreOffice	File > Open. Open icon on the Standard toolbar.

Shortcut Learning Strategy

Start with frequent tasks

Mind the platform

Practice in context

Related References