Keyboard shortcuts allow you to press a few keys on the keyboard to activate a computer function. For example, I often use the keyboard shortcut Control + Z (on Windows) or Command + Z (on Mac) to undo a computer action when I make a mistake. This is easier and quicker than using the mouse to navigate to an undo button in the menu.
Simply, the key combinations make computer operation easier and quicker because they eliminate the steps required in navigating menus, tabs, and drop downs. These shortcuts are advantageous for people having difficulty using a mouse and for people with visual impairments that have difficulty seeing the menu items.
Everyone can save time and energy by using keyboard shortcuts. Thus, this is another example of how accessibility features are essential for some and useful for all.
The benefits of keyboard shortcuts:
- Speed and efficiency: Allows you to perform tasks much faster than using a mouse or touchpad.
- Accessibility: Provides an alternative to mouse-driven actions.
- Consistency: Keyboard shortcuts are usually consistent across applications and operating systems. Once you learn common shortcuts, you can use them in various contexts.
Microsoft Keyboard Shortcuts
Some of the most popular Windows computer actions and keyboard shortcuts are:
Copy: Control + C
Cut: Control + X
Paste: Control + V
Select All: Control + A
Undo: Control + Z
Please reference the following Microsoft Support articles for comprehensive lists of keyboard shortcuts for the Windows operating system, individual productivity applications, and accessibility features:
- Windows shortcuts – copy, paste, undo, redo, and much more
- Word shortcuts – open, save, bold, underline, and much more
- Outlook shortcuts – new message, send, search, and more
- Keyboard shortcuts in apps – links to shortcut lists for Microsoft Edge, WordPad, and more
- Windows keyboard shortcuts for accessibility – magnifier, high contrast, speech recognition, sticky keys, and more
- Narrator keyboard commands and touch gestures – shortcuts for the Windows screen reader
- Office cheat sheets – printable PDFs that include popular keyboard shortcuts
Note: Enable the Sticky Keys setting in your computer’s operating system if you need a one-finger operation of keyboard. Sticky Keys helps with simultaneously pressing multiple keys. Get a link to the Windows instructions in the article on modifying key activation.
Apple Keyboard Shortcuts
Some of the most popular Apple computer actions and keyboard shortcuts are:
Copy: Command + C
Cut: Command + X
Paste: Command + V
Select All: Command + A
Undo: Command + Z
Please reference the following Apple Support article for a comprehensive list of keyboard shortcuts for the Mac operating system, productivity applications, and accessibility features: Mac keyboard shortcuts
Note: Again, enable the Sticky Keys setting in your computer’s operating system if you need a one-finger operation of keyboard. Sticky Keys helps with simultaneously pressing multiple keys. Get a link to the Mac OS instructions in the article on modifying key activation.
Google Keyboard Shortcuts
Please reference the following Google Help articles for comprehensive lists of keyboard shortcuts for individual productivity applications, internet browser, accessibility features, and the Chrome operating system on Chromebooks.
- Google Docs shortcuts – open, print, bold, underline, insert comment, and much more
- Gmail shortcuts – next message, report as spam, send, open spelling suggestions, and much more
- Keyboard shortcuts for Google Drive on the web – select item, rename item, share item, and more
- Chrome browser keyboard shortcuts – scroll up, scroll down, jump to the address bar, save a bookmark, and much more
- Chromebook keyboard shortcuts – screenshot, open new window, select all, magnification, zoom, high contrast, and much more
- Use the built-in screen reader – scroll down to the section” Use ChromeVox keyboard shortcuts”
Note: Once more, enable the Sticky Keys setting in your computer’s operating system if you need a one-finger operation of keyboard. Sticky Keys helps with simultaneously pressing multiple keys. Get a link to the Chrome OS instructions in the article on modifying key activation.
Additional typing tricks and tips
- Dictation tool to transcribe spoken words into typed text
- Word prediction to reduce keystrokes
- Abbreviation expansion to reduce keystrokes
- Modify key activation to assist with typing
Also Read
The Ultimate Guide to Keyboard Alternatives
The Big List of Computer Mouse Alternatives
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