Skip to main content

Keyboard and Mouse Shortcuts

Keyboard and mouse shortcuts are automatically built into your computer's operating system and can greatly increase your efficiency and streamline your workflow.


Keyboard Shortcuts

  • There are a lot of resources online to learn shortcuts
  • There are subtle differences between Windows and MacOS
  • Below is a table of common shortcuts for both Windows and MacOS
Working with Text
Function Windows (CTRL +) MacOS (command +)
Cut selected text X X
Copy selected text C C
Paste selected text V V
Select all text on the active window A A
Bold selected text B B
Italicize selected text I I
Underline selected text U U
Beginning of the current line Home* Left Arrow
End of the current line End* Right Arrow
Beginning of the next word Right Arrow Option + Right Arrow*
Beginning of the previous word Left Arrow Option + Left Arrow*
Select the next word Shift + Right Arrow Shift + Option + Right Arrow*
Select the previous word Shift + Left Arrow Shift + Option + Left Arrow*

*Do not require pressing the CTRL/command key

Working with Files and Applications
Function Windows (CTRL +) MacOS (command +)
Quit a frozen application Alt + Delete Option + Command + Esc*
Send selected file to the Recycle Bin Delete* Delete
Open selected file or application Enter* Down Arrow
Create a new file N N
Open an existing file O O
Print an open file P P
Save the current file S S
Undo the previous action Z Z
Redo the previous action Y Y
Fine a word or phrase F F
Zoom out - -
Zoom in = =
Quit the current application Alt + F4* Q
Search for application or file C (search the web & Windows w/ Cortana) Spacebar
Open the start menu Windows key*

N/A

Close the current file or window   W
Switch between open windows Alt + Tab* Tab

*Do not require pressing the CTRL/command key

Internet Shortcuts
Function Windows (CTRL +) MacOS (command +)
Find a word or phrase F F
Open a new browser tab T T
Open a new browser window N N
Reload the current browser page R R
Skip to the next field in a web form Tab* Tab*
Bookmark the current page D D
View bookmarks B B
View browsing history H Y
View downloads J  
Scroll to the top of the webpage Home* Home*
Scroll to the bottom of the webpage End* End*

*Do not require pressing the CTRL/command key

You can customize and add keyboard shortcuts by opening System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts tab.

Mouse Shortcuts

  • Mouse shortcuts can vary between what type of mouse you are using as well as whether you are using a laptop trackpad. Feel free to google your specific model and learn more.
  • Here are some universal mouse commands:
    • Select a word: double-click
    • Select a paragraph: triple click
    • Select a large chunk of text: Shift+click at the beginning, scroll, Shift+click at the end
    • Define a word: Right-click + Look Up "..."