1. All About Shortcut Keys
– Nilabh Verma
(Assistant Manager - IT)

2. Basic PC shortcut keys
• Alt/F10: Activates menu bar.
•Del: Delete selected item.
• Ctrl + A: Select all text.
•Esc: Terminate most of the
• Ctrl + X/Shift + Del: Cut selected item.
operations.
• Ctrl + C/Ctrl + Ins: Copy selected item.
•Enter: Execute a program.
• Ctrl + V/Shift + Ins: Paste.
•Home/End: Goes to beginning/end
• Ctrl + P: Print. of current line.
• Ctrl + S: Save. •Tab/Shift + Tab: Select the
• F5: Refresh. next/previous item.
• Ctrl + Alt + Del: Restart system/open •Page up/page down: Goes to the top/
task manager. bottom of the document/window.
•Ctrl + Z/Ctrl + Y: Undo/Redo.

3. Function keys
• F1: Universal help key, sometimes also used to open the Task Pane.
• F2: In Windows, commonly used to rename.
• F3: Often opens a search feature. Also generally used to cancel any running installation.
• F4: Open find window. Alt + F4 will close the program currently active in Microsoft
Windows.
• F5: In all modern browsers, F5 refreshes/reload the page. Open the find/ replace/go to
window in Microsoft Word. Starts a slideshow in PowerPoint.
• F6: Move the cursor to the Address bar in Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox. Used to
save file in MS-DOS.

4. •F7: Commonly used to spell check and grammar check a document
in Microsoft office programs.
•F8: Generally used to enter the Windows start-up menu while booting.
•F9: Opens the Measurements toolbar in Quark 5.0 (DTP). Update the
Inbox in Lotus Notes.
•F10: In Microsoft Windows activates the menu bar of an open application.
•F11: Full-screen mode in all modern Internet browsers.
•F12: Open the Save as window in Microsoft Word.

5. MacOS shortcut keys
• Open Apple + ?: Mac help •Open Apple + V: Paste item
• Open Apple + M: Minimize window from the clipboard.
• Open Apple + N: New finder •Open Apple + L: Make alias.
window •Open Apple + T: Add to
• Open Apple + Shift + N: New folder favorites.
• Open Apple + W: Close the current •Open Apple + O: Open the
window. selected icon.
• Open Apple + C: Copy the elected •Open Apple + F: Display the
item to the clipboard. find dialog box.
• Open Apple + X: Cut the selected •Open Apple + G: Repeat the last
item. find operation.

6. Linux shortcut keys
• Ctrl + Alt + F1...F6: Switch among •Ctrl + Z: Send the current process to
the text terminals. the background.
• Ctrl + Alt + F7...F12: Switch to GUI •Ctrl + Tab: Go to the next virtual
mode. desktop (GUI).
• Tab: Auto-complete the command. •Ctrl + Shift + Tab: Go to the previous
• Up/Down Arrow: Show virtual desktop (GUI).
previous/next command history. •Ctrl + Alt + L: Lock the desktop
• Ctrl + Alt + (+)/(-): (GUI).
Increase/decrease the screen •Ctrl + S: Stop the transfer process to
resolution (GUI). the terminal.
• Ctrl + Alt + Del: Restart the system. •Ctrl + Q: Resume the transfer process.
• Ctrl + C: Kill the current process. •Shift + Page up/down: Go to
• Ctrl + D: Log off from current top/bottom of the terminal.
terminal.

7. Windows shortcut keys
• Alt + Tab: Switch between open
• Alt + Esc: Switch Between
applications.
open applications on taskbar.
• Alt + double-click: Display the properties
• F3: Starts find from desktop.
of the object.
• F5: Refresh Contents to
• Alt + Print Screen: Create a screen shot
where you were on the page.
only for the program you are currently in.
• Shift + F10: Same as right-
• Ctrl + Print Screen/Print Screen: Creates a
click on selected item.
screen shot of the entire screen
• F4: Select a different
• Ctrl + Alt + Del: Reboot the computer and/
location to browse in the
or bring up the Windows task manager.
Windows Explorer toolbar.
• Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Immediately bring up
• Right Shift key for 8
the Windows task manager.
seconds: Turn filter key
• Ctrl + Esc: Bring up the Windows Start on/off (repeat rate).
menu.

8. Windows shortcut keys (c..)
• Alt + Enter: Opens properties window
of selected icon or program. •Ctrl + F4: Closes single window in
• Shift + Del: Delete files without Program.
throwing them into the Recycle bin. •F6: Move cursor to different
• Alt + Down arrow: Display all Windows Explorer pane (similar as
tab).
available options on drop down menu.
•Alt + Spacebar: Drops down the main
• * (on the keypad): Expands all folders
window control menu.
on the currently selected folder or
drive in Windows Explorer. •Left Alt + Left Shift + PrtScr: Turn
• + (on the keypad): Expands only the high contrast on/off.
currently selected folder in Windows •Left Alt + Left Shift + Num Lock:
Explorer. Turn mouse key on/off.
• - (on the keypad): Collapses the •Shift 5 times: Turn sticky key on/off
currently selected folder in Windows (no need to press keys together).
Explorer. •Shift when you insert CD: Stop
• Alt + F4: Closes Current open automatically play.
program.

9. Windows shortcut keys (c..)
• WINKEY: Open Start.
• WINKEY + D: Brings the desktop to the •WINKEY + F1: Display the Microsoft
top of all other windows. Windows help.
• WINKEY + M: Minimizes all windows. •WINKEY + R: Open the run window.
• WINKEY + SHIFT + M: Undo the •WINKEY + Pause/Break key: Open the
minimize done by WINKEY + M and system properties window.
WINKEY + D. •WINKEY + U: Open Utility Manager.
• WINKEY + E: Open Microsoft Explorer. •WINKEY + L: Lock the computer
• WINKEY + Tab: Cycle through open (Windows XP and above only).
programs through the taskbar. •Num Lock for 5 seconds: Turn toggle
• WINKEY + F: Display the Windows key on/off (make sound).
Search / Find feature. •Ctrl + Mouse scroll wheel: Zoom
• WINKEY + CTRL + F: Display the search in/Zoom out.
for computers window.

10. MS-Excel shortcut keys
• F2: Edit the selected cell.
• F5: Ask for a specific cell. For example, •Shift + F5/Ctrl + F: Bring up search box.
C6. •Ctrl + A: Select all contents of the
• F7: Spell check selected text and/or worksheet.
document. •Ctrl + B: Bold highlighted selection.
• F11: Create chart in a new tab. •Ctrl + I: Italic highlighted selection.
• Ctrl + Shift + ; - Enter the current time. •Ctrl + K: Insert link.
• Ctrl + ; - Enter the current date. •Ctrl + U: Underline highlighted selection.
• Alt + Shift + F1: Insert New Worksheet. •Ctrl + 5: Strike through highlighted
• Shift + F3: Open the Excel formula selection.
window.

11. MS-Excel shortcut keys (c..)
• Ctrl + Shift + ^ - Format number
• Ctrl + Tab: Move between Two
in scientific format.
or more open Excel files.
• Ctrl + Shift + @ - Format
• Alt + = - Create a formula to sum
number in time format.
all of the above cells
• Ctrl + Spacebar: Select entire
• Ctrl + ' - Insert the value of the
column.
above cell into cell currently
selected. • Shift + Spacebar: Select entire
row.
• Ctrl + Shift + ! - Format number
in comma/decimal format. • Ctrl + Z: Undo last action.
• Ctrl + Shift + $ - Format number • Ctrl + F9: Minimize
in currency ($) format. current/single window.
• Ctrl + Shift + # - Format number • Ctrl + F10: Maximize currently
in date format. selected window.
• Ctrl + Shift + % - Format number • Ctrl + Page up/page down: Move
in percentage format. between Excel work sheets/tab
in the same Excel document.

12. MS-Word shortcut keys
• Ctrl + B: Bold highlighted selection. • Ctrl + M: Indent the paragraph.
• Ctrl + E: Aligns the line or selected text to • Ctrl + T: Justification bar move
the center of the screen. right.
• Ctrl + F: Open find box. • Ctrl + U: Underline highlighted
selection.
• Ctrl + I: Italic highlighted selection.
• Ctrl + Y: Redo the last action
• Ctrl + J: Aligns the selected text or line to
performed.
justify the screen.
• Ctrl + Z: Undo last action.
• Ctrl + K: Insert link.
• Ctrl + Shift + F: Change the font.
• Ctrl + L: Aligns the line or selected text to
• Ctrl + ]/[ - Increase/decrease
the left of the screen.
selected font +1pts.
• Ctrl + R: Aligns the line or selected text to
the right of the screen.

13. MS-Word shortcut keys (c..)
• Ctrl + Del: Deletes one word to right of • Ctrl + F1: Open the Task Pane.
cursor. • F1: Open Help.
• Ctrl + Backspace: Deletes one word to • Alt + Ctrl + F2: Open new
left of cursor. document.
• Ctrl + End: Moves the cursor to the end • Ctrl + Shift + >/< -
of the document. Increase/decrease selected font
• Ctrl + Home: Moves the cursor to the +1pts up to 12pt and then increases
beginning of the document. font +2pts.
• Ctrl + Spacebar: Clear the format of • Ctrl + left arrow/right arrow: Moves
highlighted text to the default. one word to the left/right.
• Ctrl + 1/2/5: 1.0/2.5/1.5 line spacing • Ctrl + up arrow/down arrow: Moves
respectively. up/down from the beginning of the
line or paragraph.
• Ctrl + Alt + 1/2/3: Changes text to
heading 1/2/3 respectively.

14. MS-Word shortcut keys (c..)
• Shift + F3: Change case • F12: Save as.
(Upper/Lower/Title).
• Shift + F12: Save.
• Shift + Insert: Paste.
• Ctrl + Shift + F12: Prints the
• F4: Repeat the last action performed document.
(Word 2000+)
• Alt + Shift + D: Insert the current
• F5: Open the find, replace, and go to date.
window.
• Alt + Shift + T: Insert the current
• Ctrl + Shift + F6: Opens to another open time.
Microsoft Word document.
• Ctrl + F2: Display the print
• F7: Spell and grammar check selected preview.
text and/or document.
• Ctrl + Shift + F9: Remove the
• Shift + F7: Runs a Thesaurus (byword) hyperlink of selected item.
check on the word highlighted.

15. IE/Mozilla shortcut keys
• Alt + Left Arrow/Backspace: Back a • Ctrl + Enter: Quickly complete an
page. address. For example, type
microsoft in the address bar and
• Alt + Right Arrow: Forward a page. press CTRL + ENTER to get http://
• F5/Ctrl + R: Refresh current page, frame, www.microsoft.com.
or tab. • Ctrl + D: Add a Favorite for the
• F11: Display the current website in full page currently opened.
screen mode. Pressing F11 again will exit • F4: Opens the drive selection when
this mode. browsing.
• Esc: Stop page or download from • Ctrl + I: Display available
loading. bookmarks.
• Ctrl + (- or +) - Increase or decrease the • Ctrl + N: Open New browser
font size, pressing '-' will decrease and '+' window.
will increase.
• Ctrl + H: Open the History bar.

16. IE/Mozilla shortcut keys (c..)
• Shift + Enter: Complete a .net instead of • Ctrl + F4: Closes the currently
a .com address (Mozilla). selected tab.
• Ctrl + Shift + Enter: Complete a .org • Ctrl + Tab: Moves through each of
address (Mozilla). the open tabs.
• Ctrl + Shift + Del: Open the Clear Data • Alt + Down arrow: Display all
window to quickly clear private data. previous text entered in a text box
and/or available options on drop
• Ctrl + J: Display the download window down menu.
(Mozilla).
• Alt + D: Highlights the text in the
• Ctrl + F4/Ctrl + W: Closes the currently address bar.
selected tab.
• Ctrl + B: Open the Organize
• Ctrl + Shift + T: Undo the close of a Favorites dialog box.
window (Mozilla).
• Ctrl + E: Open the Search bar.
• Ctrl + T: Opens a new tab.
• Crtl + F: Start the Find utility

17. Outlook shortcut keys
• Home/End: Select the first/last contact in
the list. • Shift + Home/End: Same as above.
• Up/Down arrow: Move to the • Ctrl + Home/End: Move to the first/
previous/next mail/card. last mail/card.
• Ctrl + Spacebar: Select/deselect the • Left key/Right key:
current card. Collapse/Expand current section.
• Ctrl + Shift + up/down arrow: Selection • Ctrl + Shift + D: Display new call
of the previous/next card. dialog box.
• Shift + page up/page down: Selection up • F11: Go to find contact box.
to first/last page.

18. Run command shortcuts
• Calculator: calc
• Internet Properties: inetcpl.cpl
• Character Map: charmap
• Log out Windows: logoff
• Command Prompt: cmd
• Network Connections: control
• Date and Time Properties: timedate.cpl netconnections/ncpa.cpl
• Disk Cleanup Utility: cleanmgr • Notepad: notepad
• Control Panel: control • On Screen Keyboard: osk
• Display Properties: control • Printers and Faxes: control printers/
desktop/desk.cpl printers
• Fonts: control fonts/fonts • Regional Settings: intl.cpl

19. Run command shortcuts (c..)
• Remote Desktop: mstsc
• MS-Word: winword
• Services: services.msc
• MS-Excel: excel
• Shut Down Windows: shutdown
• MS-Outlook: outlook
• Sounds and Audio: mmsys.cpl
• MS-Powerpoint: powerpnt
• System Properties: sysdm.cpl
• Microsoft Picture Manager: ois
• Task Manager: taskmgr
• Windows Explorer: explorer
• Windows Update Launch: wupdmgr
• Opens your home drive:
• Wordpad: write %homedrive%

20. How to create own short key
• Open the folder or directory that contains the program you wish to create a shortcut for.
• Right-click on the program and click Create Shortcut.
• This will create a shortcut in the directory you are in. If you wish to rename this
shortcut, right-click the file and click rename.
• Cut this shortcut and paste it anywhere to execute this program.
• Right-click the shortcut and click Properties.
• Click the Shortcut tab.
• Click in the Shortcut key box and press a letter. For example, if you press "G" the
shortcut key will automatically be made Ctrl + Alt + G.
• Now click on Apply and then OK.
• Now use Ctrl + Alt + G to open that program.

21. Did you know?
• We have a shortcut to turn off the computer.