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How-To Use Keyboard Shortcuts

When typing an email, writing a word document, or using the Internet you will likely be performing certain tasks over and over again (e.g. save, copy, and paste). For many of these tasks keyboard shortcuts have been created; they can save you time and keep your hands on the keyboard instead of reaching for the mouse. Keyboard shortcuts allow you to access the various functions within a program's menu and tool bars and to navigate around your documents/ web pages. Most of these shortcuts are universal and can be used with most programs.

Check out the following keyboard shortcuts and take them for a spin. You just might like them!

Commands

Navigation

Home = Moves cursor to beginning of line
End = Moves cursor to end of line
Ctrl + Home = Moves cursor to beginning of document
Ctrl + End = Moves cursor to end of document

Up Arrow = Moves cursor up a line
Down Arrow = Moves cursor down a line
Left Arrow = Moves cursor left a character
Right Arrow = Moves cursor right a character
Ctrl + Up Arrow = Moves cursor up a paragraph (or up by returns)
Ctrl + Down Arrow Moves cursor down a paragraph (or down by returns)
Ctrl + Left Arrow = Moves cursor left a word
Ctrl + Right Arrow = Moves cursor right a word

Tab = Moves from button to button, through form fields, shifts focus to address bar in web browser, or jumps to next hyperlink
Alt = Shifts focus to the menu bar, then you can use your arrow keys

Selecting/Highlighting

Select All = Ctrl + A
Select one character at a time = Shift + Arrow (Left or Right)
Select word at a time = Shift + Ctrl + Arrow (Left or Right)

Formatting

Closing Files/Programs

Ctrl + W = Closes current document (in Word)
F4 = Closes current document, file, or screen
Alt + F4 = Closes current program
Esc = Closes dialog boxes

Miscellaneous

Alt + Tab = Toggles between current program and other open programs

If there is something you have always wondered how to do, let us know. We are always looking for new ideas for our How-To Guides.