The 30+ Best Microsoft Word Keyboard Shortcuts
If you create or edit Word documents often, take some time to learn a few MS Word keyboard shortcuts. Below, we’ll run through some of the best ones. As a bonus, many of these shortcuts work in other Microsoft Office applications likeExcelandPowerPoint.
This shortcut tutorial is mainly for Windows users, but we’ve included some keyboard shortcuts for macOS. If you use keyboard shortcuts on your macOS computer, you’ll notice that many of those keyboard shortcuts will also work on iPhones and iPads paired with external keyboards.
Android users who use an external keyboard will find that many of these key combinations will work, and most of these shortcuts also work on Word for the Web.
Bonus Tip: Hovering your mouse over a tool on the menu bar will display a dropdown with info on the keyboard shortcut for that option.
1-26. Learn the Alphabet: Ctrl/Command + A to Z
First, let’s run through the alphabet of Ctrl/Command + shortcuts. Windows users should use theCtrlkey. Apple users running Word for Mac or iOS should use theCommandkey.
If you memorize those 26 shortcut keys, you’ll find usingMicrosoft Wordbecomes much easier and faster. To become anexpertuser, though, check out these other, lesser-known Microsoft Word keyboard shortcuts.
27. Ctrl/Command + [ (Left Bracket) and Ctrl/Command + ] (Right Bracket): Increase & Decrease Font Size
These two key combinations are quick ways to decrease or increase the font size by one point.Ctrl+[decreases the font size of the selected text, andCtrl+]increases the size.
28. Ctrl/Command + Enter to Insert a Page Break
Quickly add a page break by pressingCtrl+Enter.
28. Use Alt for Ribbon Keyboard Shortcuts
This set of shortcuts is only for Windows users. Pressing theAltkey by itself will display Key Tips, which are shortcuts to different tools on the Ribbon. PressingAltwill show you shortcuts to the different tabs on the Ribbon. Then you can combine Alt with the Ribbon tab shortcut to navigate to a specific tab on the Ribbon.
Press theEsckey any time to leave selection mode, and use theCtrl+Spacebarshortcut to close a task pane.
For example, press Alt to display the Key Tips for the tabs on the Ribbon. Then, combine Alt with the shortcut for a specific tab. PressingAlt+Nwill take you to the Insert tab. From there, you’ll see the Key Tips for the options on the Insert tab. Simply type the letter(s) for the tool or option you want.
Here’s another example. You can adjust the zoom magnification on your document without ever moving your hands away from the keyboard. Once you learn it, you’ll use it all the time. Press theAltkey. Then pressWand thenQ. Then use theTabkey to navigate around the Zoom dialog box to select the value you’re looking for. PressEnterto select theOKbutton.
29. Navigate the Document with Ctrl Key Shortcuts
You’re probably already using theEnd,Home,Page up, andPage downkeys to move around your document.Endwill move the cursor to the end of the line it’s on.Homemoves the cursor to the beginning of that line.Page upandPage downscroll the document up or down. Use key combinations withCtrlto fine tune document navigation.
30. Use Ctrl to Select Graphics and Text
The Ctrl key is also handy for selecting text and graphics. Use it in combination with Shift and the arrow keys to make selections.
Maggie Marystone is a freelance technology writer, human rights worker, and storyteller based in Chicago.Read Maggie’s Full Bio
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