Use Microsoft Word Shortcut Keys
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Introduction
Mastering Microsoft Word’s keyboard shortcuts can save you tons of time and make your workflow smoother.
Here’s a comprehensive list of the most useful shortcut keys for quickly performing actions in Word.
From simple text formatting to navigation and font adjustments, these shortcuts will help you work faster and more efficiently.
MS Word Shortcut Keys
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + A | Select all contents of the page |
| Ctrl + B | Bold highlighted selection |
| Ctrl + C | Copy selected text |
| Ctrl + X | Cut selected text |
| Ctrl + N | Open new/blank document |
| Ctrl + O | Open options |
| Ctrl + P | Open the print window |
| Ctrl + F | Open find box |
| Ctrl + I | Italicize highlighted selection |
| Ctrl + K | Insert link |
| Ctrl + U | Underline highlighted selection |
| Ctrl + V | Paste |
| Ctrl + Y | Redo the last action performed |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo last action |
| Ctrl + G | Find and replace options |
| Ctrl + H | Find and replace options |
| Ctrl + J | Justify paragraph alignment |
| Ctrl + L | Align selected text or line to the left |
| Ctrl + Q | Align selected paragraph to the left |
| Ctrl + E | Align selected text or line to the center |
| Ctrl + R | Align selected text or line to the right |
| Ctrl + M | Indent the paragraph |
| Ctrl + T | Hanging indent |
| Ctrl + D | Font options |
| Ctrl + Shift + F | Change the font |
| Ctrl + Shift + > | Increase selected font +1 |
| Ctrl + ] | Increase selected font +1 |
| Ctrl + Shift + < | Decrease selected font -1 |
| Ctrl + [ | Decrease selected font -1 |
| **Ctrl + Shift + *** | View or hide non-printing characters |
| Ctrl + ← | Move one word to the left |
| Ctrl + → | Move one word to the right |
| Ctrl + ↑ | Move to beginning of the line or paragraph |
| Ctrl + ↓ | Move to the end of the paragraph |
| Ctrl + Del | Delete word to right of cursor |
| Ctrl + Backspace | Delete word to left of cursor |
| Ctrl + End | Move cursor to end of document |
| Ctrl + Home | Move cursor to beginning of document |
| Ctrl + Space | Reset highlighted text to default font |
| Ctrl + 1 | Single-space lines |
| Ctrl + 2 | Double-space lines |
| Ctrl + 5 | 1.5-line spacing |
| Ctrl + Alt + 1 | Change text to heading 1 |
| Ctrl + Alt + 2 | Change text to heading 2 |
| Ctrl + Alt + 3 | Change text to heading 3 |
| F1 | Open help |
| Shift + F3 | Change case of selected text |
| Shift + Insert | Paste |
| F4 | Repeat last action performed (Word 2000+) |
| F7 | Spell check selected text and/or document |
| Shift + F7 | Activate the thesaurus |
| F12 | Save as |
| Ctrl + S | Save |
| Shift + F12 | Save |
| Alt + Shift + D | Insert the current date |
| Alt + Shift + T | Insert the current time |
| Ctrl + W | Close document |
Conclusion
These shortcuts are invaluable for anyone who uses Microsoft Word regularly. By integrating these commands into your daily routine, you’ll be able to create, edit, and format documents much faster. Bookmark this page, and practice a few new shortcuts each day to become a Word power user in no time!
By Andrew Armstrong
Founder of TechyGeeksHome and Head Editor for over 15 years! IT expert in multiple areas for over 26 years. Sharing experience and knowledge whenever possible! Making IT Happen.