11/22/2017 Computer keyboard shortcut keys

Computer keyboard shortcut keys

Updated: 09/15/2017 by Computer Hope

Shortcut keys ABCs

Shortcut keys help provide an easier and usually quicker method of navigating and
executing commands in 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, "Ctrl+S" is telling you to press and hold the Ctrl key, and then press the S key too.

You can also find the shortcut keys to their most popular program
by looking for underlined letters in their menus. For example, the
image to the right has an underline on the "F" in File, which means
you can press the Alt key and then the "F" key to access the File
menu.

Some programs require the user to press and hold Alt to see the underlined characters. In the same
image above, you can see that 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 a list of the most commonly
shared ones in the basic PC shortcut keys section.

Tip: Users outside the United States or who have a foreign copy of Microsoft Windows or a
Microsoft application may not be able to use all of the below shortcut keys.

Basic PC shortcut keys

Below is a list of some of the most commonly used basic shortcut keys that 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.

https://www.computerhope.com/shortcut.htm 1/5
11/22/2017 Computer keyboard shortcut keys

Tip: Besides the special character shortcuts listed here, some special characters are also
located on the number keys (below the F1 - F12 keys). You can enter these special characters
by pressing the Shift key and the number key that has the special character listed on it.

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.

https://www.computerhope.com/shortcut.htm 2/5
11/22/2017 Computer keyboard shortcut keys

Ctrl+C Copy selected item.

Ctrl+Ins Copy selected item

Ctrl+V Paste

Shift+Ins Paste

Ctrl+Y Redo last action

Ctrl+Z Undo last action

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

https://www.computerhope.com/shortcut.htm 3/5
11/22/2017 Computer keyboard shortcut keys

Alt+Enter Open the Properties for the selected item (file, folder, shortcut, etc.)

PC shortcut keys for Special Characters

Many special characters 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 Special Character

Keys

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)

https://www.computerhope.com/shortcut.htm 4/5
11/22/2017 Computer keyboard shortcut keys

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)

© 2017 Computer Hope

https://www.computerhope.com/shortcut.htm 5/5