Keyboard shortcuts: 60+ of the most used keyboard shortcuts for Windows and Mac to make your job easier

Author: Roman.Bobak@msg-life.com

Digitization

22. 01. 2025 14 reading minutes

Want to make your life a lot easier? Use keyboard shortcuts! They’re practical and you’re guaranteed to use them when you’re working on your computer. There are times when it’s easier to click a few keys on a keyboard than to move the mouse. Here’s a selection of shortcuts that are perfect for everyday PC work and will save you time. Which ones do you know?

1. Close the window/tab in the operating system or browser

Windows: Ctrl+W,

Mac: ⌘Cmd+W

A handy keyboard shortcut closes the currently open window, not the entire program. This means that if you have different documents or pages open on the Internet, only the one you use this “command” on will close.

2. To reopen a recently closed tab in the browser

Windows: Ctrl+⇧Shift+T,

Mac: ⌘Cmd+⇧Shift+T

I’m sure this has happened to you a few times. You accidentally closed the card you needed to have open. Very annoying, isn’t it? Don’t worry, though. Browsers have a great feature that lets you find the last tab you closed and easily reopen it.

A handy keyboard shortcut does it for you. If you have closed more than one tab, continue clicking the T key to open all tabs in the order you closed them.

3. Switch between tabs in the browser

Windows: Ctrl+PageUp/PageDown,

Mac: ⌘Cmd+Opt+←/→ (Firefox and Chrome); ⌘Cmd+Shift+←/→ (Safari)

You can use the Tab key instead of the PageUp and PageDown keys for this purpose, but the last 2 keys will allow you to cycle in either direction. PageUp takes you to the tabs on the left and PageDown takes you to the tabs on the right.

4. Minimize/maximize window

Windows: Alt+Space+N (minimize)/Alt+Space+X (maximize),

Mac: ⌘Cmd+M/⌘Cmd+L

There are several shortcuts to minimize and maximize windows. In this case, these are the most basic keyboard shortcuts, which are also the most used.

5. Minimize/maximize everything

Windows: Win+M,

Mac: ⌘Cmd+Alt+M

Want to quickly switch to a clean desktop with no open programs? Use this shortcut to return all open programs to the taskbar.

6. Browse all open apps

Windows: Win+Tab,

Mac: ⌘Cmd+Tab

Hold down the Windows key or Command key and click the Tab key to scroll through all open programs.

7. New window

Windows: Ctrl+N,

Mac: ⌘Cmd+N

If you are using a browser, a new window will open. If you are using word processing software or Photoshop, a new document will be created. Alternatively, it will open the same folder in your file browser.

8. Rename the file

Windows: F2,

Mac: Enter

Use this keyboard shortcut to easily rename the file or folder you are working with in file explorer.

9. Find

Windows: Ctrl+F,

Mac: ⌘Cmd+F

A keyboard shortcut that allows you to find the specific word you want to search for in a document or in the browser . Type an expression in the search field that opens and press ENTER. Press ENTER again to scroll through all occurrences of the word in the browser or document.

10. Find and Replace

Windows: Ctrl+H,

Mac: ⌘Cmd+Shift+F

A handy keyboard shortcut is used to replace a word in a text document with another word. If you want to edit the text and replace a word, phrase or sentence, enter a keyword in the search box and replace it with another.

If a web browser is open, clicking on this shortcut will display a history of the pages you have viewed on the site.

11. Scroll to the beginning or to the end

Windows: Home/End,

Mac: ⌘Cmd+←/→

Some of the keyboard shortcuts you need to know about includes this one. It is particularly useful on the web. Why is it so? It will take you to the top or bottom of the open web page. When you process text in Word, it places you at the beginning or end of the current line.

To do this, click the Ctrl shortcut in Windows to get to the beginning or end of the document. If you own a Mac, click the left and right arrows to get to the bottom and top of the document.

12. Move one word back/forward

Windows: Ctrl+←/→,

Mac: Alt+B/F

Keyboard shortcuts that move you one word to the left or right. If you hold down the Shift key in Windows to do this, you’ll highlight the word you passed.

13. Go to the next text entry field

Windows: Tab,

Mac: Tab

Tab or Tabulator is generally used to move the typing cursor one level further.

14. Marking the address bar

Windows: Alt+D,

Mac: ⌘Cmd+L

The cursor moves to the URL bar in the browser and highlights it. All you have to do is enter this shortcut.

Keyboard shortcuts can make it easier for you to work at your computer

15. Most used keyboard shortcuts with Ctrl or Command

The keyboard shortcut (Command – ⌘) on Macbook is basically the same as the Ctrl key on the Windows keyboard. See some of the most common keyboard shortcuts for both operating systems. Get to know them and you’ll save yourself a lot of time at work, giving you more time to think about new projects or relax. (At msg life Slovakia we have a relaxation area. If you’d like to work for us, check out our latest job offers).

There are many more similar shortcuts, but the most practical are these:

• Cut text: Windows: Ctrl + X, Mac: ⌘ + X
• Copy text: windows: ctrl + C, Mac: ⌘ + C
• Paste copied text: Windows: ctrl + V, Mac: ⌘ + V
• Select all items: Windows: Ctrl + A, Mac: ⌘ + A
• To open a new tab or window: Windows: ctrl + N, Mac: ⌘ + T
• Save current document: Windows: ctrl + S, Mac: ⌘ + S

More useful keyboard shortcuts for Windows

Ctrl shortcuts

• Ctrl + S – save the active document,
• Ctrl + F – search for text in a specific window. After you use this shortcut, a small panel will open, you type text into the panel that will be searched for and highlighted in the document you are working in, the text string will be searched for and highlighted in the current document, or on the web page.
• Ctrl + P – call up the print settings tab,
• Ctrl + Shift + B – show or hide the bookmarks bar,
• Ctrl + D – adds the current web page to your bookmarks in the web browser,
• F5/ Ctrl + R – refreshes or reloads the current web page in the web browser,

Alt shortcuts

• Alt + Shift – keyboard shortcut used to switch between keyboard layouts for pre-selected languages,
• Alt + F4 – shortcut to close the active document or application,
• Alt + Tab – quickly switch between active applications or open windows,
• ALT + arrow keys – browse files
• ALT + ENTER – display properties of the selected item
• ALT + ESC – navigate between items in the list, according to their opening

Win shortcuts

• Win + D – instantly switch to the main desktop or back,
• Win + L – a keyboard shortcut used to lock the computer,
• Win + E – it is about launching the file browser “File Explorer” – File Explorer
• Win + I – open the Settings file
• Win + M – minimize all windows
• Win + S – open Windows search
• Win + Spacebar (or Alt + Shift ) – change keyboard language

Popular keyboard shortcuts on the Mac keyboard

Apple keys are very often associated with these specific symbols that every Mac operating system user is familiar with.

• Command ⌘
• Shift ⇧
• Option ⌥
• Control
• Caps Lock ⇪.

See the most commonly used Mac shortcuts:

• Command + Q – a shortcut that immediately exits a specific application,
• Command + W – close the active window,
• Option + Command + W – this keyboard shortcut closes all windows of a particular application,
• Command + Shift + 3 – full screen snapshot, alternatively Command + Shift + 4 is a shortcut that can take a snapshot of only a selected part of the screen,
• Fn twice in a row – used to activate the microphone for text input, after you press the key twice in a row, the spoken word will be transformed into text on the screen, you can end the action with a single press of the Fn key,
• Option + Shift + Command + V – this shortcut pastes the copied text so that the formatting itself is adequate for the target document,
• Option + Command + Power button (or Option + Command + Media Eject) – switch to sleep mode,
• Option + Shift + Volume (+ / -) – reduce or add volume on the computer,
• Command + Z – can reverse the last action performed on the computer, to perform it again, just use Command + Shift + Z ,
• Shift + Command + Delete – a shortcut used to empty the trash can, if you want a faster option without the dialog prompting you to confirm this action, use Option + Shift + Command + Delete ,
• Command + ; – marks all spelling and grammatical errors in the document,
• Shift + Command + Q – use the shortcut to log the user out,
• Command + [ / ] – keyboard shortcut allows you to move to the previous or next directory at the same level.

Keyboard shortcuts in Microsoft Office

Working effectively with applications such as Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel requires not only knowledge of basic functions, but also skills in using keyboard shortcuts. These shortcuts allow you to perform common operations such as formatting text, editing tables, navigating through a document, or working with data in spreadsheets more quickly and conveniently.

The following list summarises the most commonly used keyboard shortcuts to help you be more productive in both applications. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user, this overview will make your daily tasks easier.

Word keyboard shortcuts

• Home – Moves the mouse cursor to the beginning of the current line.
• End – Moves the mouse cursor to the end of the current line.
• Ctrl + H – Opens the search and replace text function.
• Ctrl + B – Changes the highlighted text to bold.
• Ctrl + I – Changes the highlighted text to italic (italic).
• Ctrl + U – Underlines the highlighted text.
• Ctrl + L/R – Aligns the text to the left or right side.
• Ctrl + E – Aligns the text to the center.
• Ctrl + J – Aligns the text in the block (evenly between the margins).
• Ctrl + X – Cuts the selected text and saves it to the clipboard.
• Ctrl + left/right arrow – Moves the cursor to the beginning of the previous or next word.
• Ctrl + ENTER – Inserts the end of the page at the current cursor position.
• Ctrl + Shift + Space – Inserts a fixed (indivisible) space.
• Shift + Enter – Inserts a soft line break (without starting a new paragraph).
• Shift + left/right arrow – Marks one character left or right.
• Shift + Ctrl + left/right arrow – Marks the whole word left or right.
• Shift + Ctrl + Up/Down Arrow – Marks the entire paragraph from the current cursor position up or down.
• Shift + END – Marks the text from the cursor to the end of the line.
• Shift + HOME – Marks text from the cursor to the beginning of the line.
• Shift + Ctrl + END – Marks text from the cursor to the end of the document.
• Shift + Ctrl + HOME – Marks text from the cursor to the beginning of the document.
• Shift + Ctrl + C – Copies the formatting of the selected text.
• Shift + Ctrl + V – Pastes the copied formatting to the selected text.

Excel Keyboard Shortcuts

• ALT + = – Activating the SUM function
• ALT + ENTER – Wrap text in cell
• CTRL + , – Activates the “View formulas” tool
• CTRL + A – Select the whole table
• CTRL + B – Writing in bold
• CTRL + C – Copy selected cells, numbers, texts, formulas, functions
• CTRL + D – Filling down
• CTRL + E – Bring up the “Dynamic Refill” menu/tool
• CTRL + END – Move active cell to last filled cell
• CTRL + ENTER – Insert the same value (number, text, formula, function) into the selected cells
• CTRL + F – Open the “Find” tool dialog
• CTRL + F1 – Expand / collapse the Ribbon
• CTRL + F3 – Define a name for the area
• CTRL + G | F5 – “Go to” menu
• CTRL + H – “Replace” tool dialog
• CTRL + HOME – Move active cell to A1
• CTRL + I – Cursive setting
• CTRL + K – Create hyperlink
• CTRL + L | CTRL + T – Open the “Create Table” dialog
• CTRL + space – Select the whole column
• CTRL + minus (-) – Delete column/row
• CTRL + mouse wheel – Magnifying glass (zoom in/out)
• CTRL + mouse (left button) – Select cells that are not adjacent to each other
• CTRL + N – Create a new blank workbook
• CTRL + O – Open the “Open” menu
• CTRL + P – Activate the “Print” option
• CTRL + PAGE DOWN – Scroll between sheets – right
• CTRL + PAGE UP – Scroll between sheets – left
• CTRL + plus (+) – Add column/row
• CTRL + Q – Open the “Quick Analysis” menu
• CTRL + R – Fill to the right
• CTRL + S – Save
• CTRL + SHIFT + : – Insert current time into cell
• CTRL + SHIFT + F3 – Bulk defining names for rows and columns in a table
• CTRL + SHIFT + H | CTRL + ; – Insert current date into cell
• CTRL + SHIFT + L – Enable/disable filters
• CTRL + SHIFT + O – Mark cells where comments are
• CTRL + SHIFT + arrows – Mark filled cells
• CTRL + arrow keys – Scroll within the table to the end/beginning of a row or column
• CTRL + U – Add underline
• CTRL + V – Paste selected cells, numbers, texts, formulas, functions
• CTRL + X – Cut
• CTRL + Z – Step back
• F1 – Help
• F2 – Edit value in cell
• F4 | CTRL + Y – Repeat last step
• F5 – “Go to” menu
• F7 – Spellchecker in worksheet
• F9 – Recalculate the contents of the entire workbook
• F11 – Create chart from data – into a new worksheet
• F12 – Open the “Save As” window
• SHIFT + F2 – Insert new comment into cell
• SHIFT + F3 – Open the functions dialog
• SHIFT + F9 – Recalculate sheet
• SHIFT + F11 – Add worksheet
• SHIFT + space – Select the whole line
• SHIFT + mouse (left button) – Select cells that are adjacent to each other
• SHIFT + arrows – Mark cells in the direction of the arrows

Conclusion – Using keyboard shortcuts makes your work more efficient

The keyboard shortcuts we’ve introduced you to are just a drop in the ocean of shortcuts that your computer is “equipped” with. These are handy helpers that will make even the most demanding computer work easier, more productive and maybe even less procrastinating (check our article about procrastination tips). Whether you’re a Java developer or an IT project quality manager working with Windows or macOS, these handy shortcuts are sure to be useful.

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Keyboard shortcuts: 60+ of the most used keyboard shortcuts for Windows and Mac to make your job easier

Roman.Bobak@msg-life.com