Whether you use a Microsoft Windows PC or an Apple Macintosh, chances are that you could save some time using keyboard shortcuts instead of menu options for frequently used tasks. The good news is that keyboard shortcuts are very easy to use — typically holding down a modifier key along with the letter or number associated with the shortcut. Modifiers for Windows are Ctrl, Windows key, Alt, Fn and sometimes Shift. For Mac they are Command (also Cmd and ⌘), Option (sometimes ALT), Fn and sometimes Shift, Control or Caps Lock.
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The bad news is that some are hard to remember, unless you have an amazing memory or access to a cheat sheet. But if there are functions you use frequently, it might be advantageous to try out some keyboard shortcuts and keep them in mind the next time you have to perform the same task. If there are some you plan to use frequently, you might consider printing them out or saving them as a document until you have them memorized. There are a lot of shortcuts. In today’s column I’ll cover some of the more common and useful ones, including my favorites. You’ll find a more comprehensive list at Larrysworld.com/shortcuts.
Text editing
Some text editing shortcuts are reasonably well known, but here’s a refresher. To copy highlighted text press Ctrl or Command+C. To cut and keep in the clipboard, instead press X. V is for paste, A for select all, F for find, S for save and Z for undo. Although I haven’t memorized a lot of the shortcuts, I do use these text editing ones often. They help me avoid losing my train of thought while writing by freeing me from having to look for menu options.
Lesser used text editing shortcuts might include Ctrl or Option+Delete to delete the next word or Ctrl or Option+Backspace to delete the previous word. Ctrl or Command+left or right arrow will jump to the next or previous word. If you hold down the Shift key at the same time, you’ll highlight those words.
Other handy shortcuts
I often use Ctrl (or Command)+P for printing and 0 for opening a file. If I’m formatting text, I’ll use Ctrl plus I for italics, B for bold and U for underline. While working on documents, it’s often handy to press Ctrl+Home (Windows) or Command+up arrow (Mac) to move to the beginning of the Doc or use down arrow to get to the end.
Browser shortcuts
I often find myself wanting to increase the size of the type on the web page I’m viewing and an easy way to do that is Ctrl or Command +. The minus key (-) will reduce it. That also works in many other programs. If you want to set the zoom to a specific percentage on your browser, (such as returning to 100%) click on the three dot menu in the left corner and select 100% in the zoom area.
To open a new tab on a browser, type Ctrl or Command+T. To open a new window, it’s Ctrl or Command+N. CTRL or Command Shift+T will reopen a closed tab, which can be very handy if you accidentally closed one and don’t know how to get back. Ctrl or Command+L will take you directly to the address bar to enter a new web address. Visit larrysworld.com/shortcuts for other shortcuts for Chrome, Edge, Safari and other browsers.
Windows key
Windows Key (photo: Larry Magid)
If you’re a Windows user, the Windows key on the bottom row adds even more shortcuts. My favorite is Windows+right arrow or left arrow to move the window to the right or left of the screen. It’s a handy way to get two windows on your screen at the same time, nicely and evenly laid out.
One of the least known but most handy shortcuts allows you to view your clipboard history. This can be very handy if you have multiple things you’ve copied that you want to paste into another document. To access the history, press Windows+Ctrl V.
Windows+D is a quick way to display your desktop. Press it again and you go back to whatever windows you were looking at before
Pressing Windows+Tab displays all windows on your desktop.
Sometimes you need to quickly find a file. There’s an icon for that, but you can easily get to the file explorer with Windows+E. And if you press it again, you’ll get another file explorer window.
Looking for an emoji to paste in? Just type Windows+. (period).
If you want to start dictating instead of typing, just press Windows+H. When you’re ready to switch back to typing, click on the x in the voice window. You can lock your computer with Windows+L. Windows+S brings up the Settings menu.
If you have two monitors, you can move a window between them with Win+Shift+Left or Right arrow.
These short cuts aren’t for everyone. Sometimes it’s easier just to access these commands from menus or icons. But, if you’re doing them repeatedly, they can save a lot of time and hunting around menus.
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Larry Magid is a tech journalist and internet safety activist. Contact him at [email protected].
