Shortcut keys help provide an easier and usually quicker method of navigating and using computer software programs. Shortcut keys are commonly accessed by using the Alt key (on IBM compatible computers), command key (on Apple computers), Ctrl key, or Shift key in conjunction with another key. The de facto standard for listing a shortcut is listing the modifier key, a plus symbol, and another key. In other words, “ALT+S” is telling you to press the Alt key and while continuing to hold the Alt key, press the S key to perform the shortcut.
In addition to the shortcuts listed on this page, users can find the shortcut keys to their most popular program by looking for underlined letters in their menus. For example, the picture to the right has an underline on the “F” in File, which means you can press the Alt key and F to access the File menu.
Note: Some programs require the user to press and hold Alt to see the underlined characters. Finally, as can also be seen, some of the common features such as Open (Ctrl+O) and Save (Ctrl+S) have shortcut keys assigned to them.
As you begin to memorize shortcut keys, you’ll notice that many applications share the same shortcut keys. We have the most commonly shared shortcut keys in the below basic PC shortcut keys section.
Tip: Users outside the United States or users using a foreign copy of a Microsoft Windows or Microsoft application may not be able to get all the below shortcut keys to perform the function listed.
Below is a list of some of the most commonly used basic shortcut keys that will work with almost all IBM compatible computers and software programs. It is highly recommended that all users keep a good reference of these shortcut keys or try to memorize them. Doing so will dramatically increase your productivity.
| Shortcut Keys | Description |
|---|---|
| Alt + F | File menu options in current program. |
| Alt + E | Edit options in current program |
| Alt + Tab | Switch between open programs |
| F1 | Universal Help in almost every Windows program. |
| F2 | Rename a selected file |
| F5 | Refresh the current program window |
| Ctrl + N | Create a new, blank document in some software programs |
| Ctrl + O | Open a file in current software program |
| Ctrl + A | Select all text. |
| Ctrl + B | Change selected text to be Bold |
| Ctrl + I | Change selected text to be in Italics |
| Ctrl + U | Change selected text to be Underlined |
| Ctrl + F | Open find window for current document or window. |
| Ctrl + S | Save current document file. |
| Ctrl + X | Cut selected item. |
| Shift + Del | Cut selected item. |
| Ctrl + C | Copy selected item. |
| Ctrl + Ins | Copy selected item |
| Ctrl + V | Paste |
| Shift + Ins | Paste |
| Ctrl + K | Insert hyperlink for selected text |
| Ctrl + P | Print the current page or document. |
| Home | Goes to beginning of current line. |
| Ctrl + Home | Goes to beginning of document. |
| End | Goes to end of current line. |
| Ctrl + End | Goes to end of document. |
| Shift + Home | Highlights from current position to beginning of line. |
| Shift + End | Highlights from current position to end of line. |
| Ctrl + Left arrow | Moves one word to the left at a time. |
| Ctrl + Right arrow | Moves one word to the right at a time. |
| Ctrl + Esc | Opens the START menu |
| Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Opens Windows Task Manager |
| Alt + F4 | Close the currently active program |
| Alt + Enter | Open the Properties for the selected item (file, folder, shortcut, etc.) |
There are many special characters that can be created using keyboard shortcuts. Below are some of the more common and popular special characters and the keyboard shortcuts to create them.
| Shortcut Keys | Special Character |
|---|---|
| Alt + 0224 | à |
| Alt + 0232 | è |
| Alt + 0236 | ì |
| Alt + 0242 | ò |
| Alt + 0241 | ñ |
| Alt + 0228 | ä |
| Alt + 0246 | ö |
| Alt + 0252 | ü |
| Alt + 0248 | ø |
| Alt + 0223 | ß |
| Alt + 0198 | Æ |
| Alt + 0231 | ç |
| Alt + 0191 | ¿ |
| Alt + 0176 | ° (degree symbol) |
| Alt + 0177 | ± (plus/minus symbol) |
| Alt + 0153 | ™ |
| Alt + 0169 | © |
| Alt + 0174 | ® |
| Alt + 0128 | € (Euro currency) |
| Alt + 0162 | ¢ (Cent symbol) |
| Alt + 0163 | £ (British Pound currency) |
| Alt + 0165 | ¥ (Japanese Yen currency) |