THE ULTIMATE KEYBOARD SHORTCUT GUIDE!
The first thing that pops to mind has got to be Ctrl-Alt-Delete...It is a simple way, by pressing three keyboard keys it escapes a whole host of blue screen nightmares and crashed computer programs. The most important question to ask now is how many shortcuts do you actually know or which ones can you remember?
Within most good programmes, almost every function or action can be carried out with keyboard commands or shortcuts - a simple and ideally easily-memorable sequence of two or three key strokes. And when you get proficient at using them, keyboard shortcuts are faster than breaking your flow by reaching for the mouse.
So here is a selection of the most practical shortcuts:
MICROSOFT OFFICE AND WINDOWS
Save ... Ctrl-S
Print ... Ctrl-P
Find ... Ctrl-F
Copy ... Ctrl-C
Paste ... Ctrl-V
Undo ... Ctrl-Z
Delete ... Ctrl-D
Page break ... Ctrl-Enter
Change window ... Alt-Tab
Quit application ... Alt-F4
Minimise window ... Alt-Space-N
Maximise window ... Alt-Space-X
Close sub-window ... Ctrl-F4
Task manager or Windows Security ... Ctrl-Alt-Delete
Screen grab ... Alt-Print screen
Rename file ... F2
Go to address bar ... F6
Lock PC ... Windows-L
Close all windows ... Windows-M
Launch help ... Windows-F1
Switch programme ... Windows-Tab
WORD
Jump to end of document ... Ctrl-End
Jump to start of document ... Ctrl-Home
Go to the last edit ... Shift-F5
Check spelling ... F7
Select All ... Ctrl-A
Select a whole word ... Ctrl-Shift- left/right arrow
Select a whole paragraph ... Ctrl-Shift-up/ down arrow
Bold ... Ctrl-B
Italics ... Ctrl-I
Underline ... Ctrl-U
All capitals ... Ctrl-shift-A
Copy Format ... Ctrl-shift-C
EXCEL
Next cell ... Tab
Previous cell ... Shift-Tab
First cell in row ... Alt-Home
Last cell in row ... Alt-End
Top cell in column ... Alt-Page Up
Last cell in column ... Alt-Page Down
Repeat function ... F4
GOOGLE MAIL
Compose new message ... Shift-C
Reply ... Shift-R
Reply all ... Shift-A
Forward ... Shift-F
Save a draft ... Ctrl-S
Delete ... #
Label ... l
Archive ... E
Mark as read ... Shift-I
Mark as unread ... Shift-U
Select all mail ... * then A
Deselect all mail ... * then N
Go to sentmail ... G then T
Go to contacts ... G then C
Search (puts cursor in search box) ... /
Move to next message ... N
Move to previous message ... P
Open a conversation ... O
Report spam ... !
To turn these shortcuts on or off, click Settings, and select the option Keyboard shortcuts
GOOGLE DOCS
Print ... Ctrl-P
Save ... Ctrl-S
Go to full screen ... Ctrl-Shift-F
Undo ... Ctrl-Z
Redo ... Ctrl-Y
Copy ... Ctrl-C
Cut ... Ctrl-X
Paste ... Ctrl-V
Select all ... Ctrl-A
Full justify ... Ctrl-F
Left alignment ... Ctrl-l
Centre alignment ... Ctrl-E
Bold ... Ctrl-B
Underline ... Ctrl-U
Italics ... Ctrl-I
Go to last cell ... Ctrl-End
Go to first cell ... Ctrl-Home
Move to next worksheet ... Ctrl-Page Down
Move to previous worksheet ... Ctrl-Page Up
Cancel cell entry ... Esc
If you are using a Mac, you can use these shortcuts by replacing Ctrl with the Command key.
APPLE MAC
Open document ... Command-O
Save ... Command-S
Print ... Command-P
Find ... Command-F
Select All ... Command-A
Cut ... Command-X
Copy ... Command-C
Paste ... Command-V
Undo ... Command-Z
Switch application ... Command-Tab
Quit Application ... Command-Q
Close Window ... Command-W
Close all open windows ... Command-Option-W
To click "OK" in dialogue boxes ... Return key
Move item to trash ... Command-Backspace
Empty trash ... Command-Shift-Backspace
New window (Finder) ... Command-N
Minimise window ... Command-M
Hide/Show Dock ... Command-Option-D
Open "Computer" folder ... Command-Option-C
Open "Home" folder ... Command-Option-H
Open Applications ... Command-Option-A
Force Quit ... Command-Option-ESC
These shortcuts apply to Mac OS 8 or newer, and most work in Mac OS X. Option is the key labelled "Alt" on most keyboards.
ADOBE PHOTOSHOP
Undo, multiple times ... Ctrl-Alt-Z
Hand/move tool ... Spacebar
Switch document ... Ctrl-Tab
New layer ... Ctrl-Shift-N
New layer ... Ctrl-Shift-Atl-N
Duplicate layer ... Ctrl-J
Fit to window ... Ctrl-0
Re-run filter ... Ctrl-F
Fade filter ... Ctrl-Shift-F
And remember ...
You'll need a Standard 101/102 Key or Natural PS/2 Keyboard to use these shortcuts. Except on a Mac, where you'll require a Mac-branded keyboard. And in most programs, further help can be found by searching for keyboard shortcuts in the help menu.