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Introduction:
There are a variety of menu systems within each computer program, which contain an even greater number of options and selections. You will most likely find that in using programs, you will select the same options multiple times. Keyboard shortcuts allow you to do this immediately without navigating confusing menus, providing you know what option you wish to use. Keyboard shortcuts consist of holding down one button on the keyboard (such as "Alt" or "Ctrl"), and pressing one (or sometimes two) more button at the same time, and releasing them. Learning the shortcuts can save you time and clicks, since you can do things from the keyboard while typing without needing to move your fingers to the mouse! The results listed alongside the keyboard shortcuts in this tutorial assume that you understand what that result is. The keys used in shortcuts include Alt, Ctrl, F(1, 2, 3). The "Alt" is short for "Alternate" key. It acts as a second "Control" key (see "Ctrl"). You always use the "Alt" in conjunction with another key. "Ctrl" is short for "Control", as in "control key combination." You also press this key while holding another to create the desired action. The set of F(1, 2, 3, etc.) keys along the top of the keyboard have different functions, depending on what program you are currently using. If you are not sure, either consult a tutorial on this site concerning the program you are working with, or the help file in the program, itself.

UNIVERSAL KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS

These "universal" keyboard shortcuts will generally work in nearly every program you will work with. They are generic options such as saving, quitting, and manipulating text.

Most Commonly Used:

Ctrl Ctrl Ctrl Ctrl + + + + A= X= C= V= select all available text / images / etc. cut selected text / image / etc. copy selected text / image / etc. paste copied or cut text / image / etc.

Often Used
Ctrl Ctrl Ctrl Ctrl Ctrl Ctrl Ctrl Ctrl + + + + + + + + S = save current document O = open a document within the current program W = close current window N = create new document within the current program P = print current document Z = undo the previous action Y = redo F = find certain text in current document

Other Shortcuts:
F1 = help menu Alt + Tab = switch back and forth between opened programs Alt + F4 = quit current program Ctrl + Alt + Delete = brings up the task manager; close non-responding programs; reboot

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MICROSOFT WORD KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS Most Commonly Used:

Shift + Enter = line break Ctrl + H = find and replace (also F5) F7 = spelling and grammar Shift + F7 = thesaurus

Other Shortcuts:
Ctrl + K = insert a hyperlink F3 = finish word with autotext

MICROSOFT INTERNET EXPLORER KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS Most commonly used:

Esc = stop loading current page Tab = moves selection between address bar and links on current page F3 = find certain text in current document F5 = refresh current page (also Ctrl + R) F6 = set text input to address bar (also Ctrl + Tab) F11 = switch to full-screen mode

Other shortcuts:
Ctrl + D = add current page to favorites list F4 = expand address bar downwards to view list of recently visited sites

MICROSOFT EXCEL KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS Most commonly used:

Ctrl + D = fill up Ctrl + G = go to the next instance of an entered phrase of text Ctrl + H = find and replace Ctrl + R = fill right Ctrl + 1 = format cells F7 = spelling and grammar

Other shortcuts:
Ctrl + K = insert a hyperlink

MICROSOFT POWERPOINT KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS Most commonly used:

F5 = slide show view F6 = next pane F7 = check spelling

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Other shortcuts:
Ctrl Ctrl Ctrl Ctrl + + + + E = align centered L = align left M = new slide R = align right