Shortcut keys for MS Word: 100+ Microsoft Word keyboard shortcuts for Windows and Mac laptop/PC

When working on a PC/laptop, it is faster to use a keyboard shortcut for a task as compared to reaching for the mouse. Simply put, a keyboard shortcut is a combination of one or more keys that need to be pressed either at the same time or consecutively to invoke a command in software like MS Word or in an operating system. Using shortcut keys can increase your productivity and also help you save a lot of time. That’s why it’s always a good idea to know your way around as many keyboard shortcuts as possible. Looking for shortcut keys for MS Word? Here’s a comprehensive list of MS Word keyboard shortcuts for Windows and Mac.


Keyboard shortcut keys for MS Word for Windows 10/11 and Mac

Before you move on to the list of shortcuts, make a note of the followinga plus sign (+) means that you need to press the keys at the same time, a comma sign (,) means that you need to press the keys in order.

Frequently used shortcuts

 


ACTIONWINDOWS 10/11 KEYSMAC KEYS
Create a NEW documentCtrl + NCommand (⌘) + N
OPEN an existing documentCtrl + OCommand (⌘) + O
SAVE a documentCtrl + SCommand (⌘) + S
‘SAVE AS’ a documentF12Command (⌘) + Shift + S
CLOSE the current documentCtrl + W or Ctrl + F4Command (⌘) + W or Command (⌘) + F4
CLOSE the applicationAlt + F4Command (⌘) + Q
PRINT a documentCtrl + PCommand (⌘) + P
UNDO the last actionCtrl + ZCommand (⌘) + Z or F1
REDO the last actionCtrl + YCommand (⌘) + Y
CUT selected text and copy it to the clipboardCtrl + XCommand (⌘) + X or F2
COPY selected text to the clipboardCtrl + CCommand (⌘) + C or F3
PASTE from the clipboardCtrl + VCommand (⌘) + V or F4
SELECT ALL contents in a documentCtrl + ACommand (⌘) + A
FIND text in the current documentCtrl + FCommand (⌘) + F
CANCELEscEsc

Navigate the document

ACTIONWINDOWS 10/11 KEYSMAC KEYS
Move the cursor one word to the leftCtrl + ←Option (⌥) +◄
Move the cursor one word to the rightCtrl + →Option (⌥) + ►
Move the cursor one paragraph upCtrl + ↑Command (⌘) + ▲
Move the cursor one paragraph downCtrl + ↓Command (⌘) + ▼
Move the cursor to the end of a lineEndCommand (⌘) +◄
Move the cursor to the start of a lineHomeCommand (⌘) + ►
Move the cursor to the end of the docCtrl + EndCommand (⌘) + Fn + ►
Move the cursor to the start of the docCtrl + HomeCommand (⌘) + Fn + ◄
Move the cursor by scrolling the document view up by one screenPage upFn + ▲
Move the cursor by scrolling the document view down by one screenPage downFn + ▼
Move the cursor to the top of previous pageCtrl + Page upCommand (⌘) + Fn + ▲
Move the cursor to the top of next pageCtrl + Page downCommand (⌘) + Fn + ▼
Move the cursor to the last insertion pointShift + F5Shift + F5
Open the Search task paneCtrl + FCommand (⌘) + F
Open the Go To dialog boxCtrl + GF5

Select text and graphics

ACTIONWINDOWS 10/11 KEYSMAC KEYS
Select one character to the leftShift + ←Shift +◄
Select one character to the rightShift + →Shift + ►
Select one word to the leftCtrl + Shift + ←Option (⌥) + Shift +◄
Select one word to the rightCtrl + Shift + →Option (⌥) + Shift + ►
Select from the current position of the cursor to the start of the lineShift + HomeCommand (⌘) + Shift +◄
Select from the current position of the cursor to the end of the lineShift + EndCommand (⌘) + Shift + ►
Select one line up from the cursorShift + ↑Shift + ▲
Select one line down from the cursorShift + ↓Shift + ▼
Select from the current position of the cursor to the start of the paragraphCtrl + Shift + ↑Command (⌘) + Shift + ▲
Select from the current position of the cursor to the end of the paragraphCtrl + Shift + ↓Command (⌘) + Shift + ▼
Select all contents in the documentCtrl + ACommand (⌘) + A
EXTEND A SELECTION
Extend the selection one character to the leftF8, ←F8, ◄
Extend the selection one character to the rightF8, →F8, ►
Extend the selection to a particular locationF8, click the locationF8, click the location
Extend the selection (to the entire word, sentence, paragraph, section and document)Press F8 repeatedlyPress F8 repeatedly
Select a vertical block of textCtrl + Shift + F8, arrow keysCommand (⌘) + Shift + F8, arrow keys
Reduce the selectionShift + F8Shift + F8
Stop extending the selectionEscEsc

Edit text and graphics

ACTIONWINDOWS KEYSMAC KEYS
Delete one character to the leftBackspaceDelete
Delete one character to the rightDeleteFn + Delete
Delete one word to the leftCtrl + BackspaceCommand (⌘) + Delete
Delete one word to the rightCtrl + Delete
Cut selected text and copy it to the clipboardCtrl + XCommand (⌘) + X or F2
Copy selected text to the clipboardCtrl + CCommand (⌘) + C or F3
Paste from the clipboardCtrl + VCommand (⌘) + V or F4
Paste with selected formattingCtrl + Shift + VCommand (⌘) + Option (⌥) + Shift + V
Display the ‘Paste special’ dialog boxCtrl + Alt + VControl (⌃) + Command (⌘) + V
Cut selected text and copy it to SpikeCtrl + F3Command (⌘) + F3
Paste contents from the SpikeCtrl + Shift + F3Command (⌘) + Shift + F3
Open the Find and Replace text paneCtrl + HCtrl + H
Insert graphicsAlt + N, MCommand (⌘) + Ctrl + M

Alignment and Formatting

ACTIONWINDOWS KEYSMAC KEYS
Align text to the leftCtrl + LCommand (⌘) + L
Align text to the rightCtrl + RCommand (⌘) + R
Centre textCtrl + ECommand (⌘) + E
Justify textCtrl + JCommand (⌘) + J
Indent the paragraphCtrl + MControl (⌃) + Shift + M
Remove a paragraph indentCtrl + Shift + MCommand (⌘) + Shift + M
Create a hanging indentCtrl + TCommand (⌘) + T
Remove a hanging indentCtrl + Shift + TCommand (⌘) + Shift + T
Apply single spacing to paragraphCtrl + 1Command (⌘) + 1
Apply double spacing to paragraphCtrl + 2Command (⌘) + 2
Apply 1.5-line spacing to paragraphCtrl + 5Command (⌘) + 5
Toggle line space between paragraphsCtrl + 0Command (⌘) + 0
Enable AutoFormatCtrl + Alt + KCommand (⌘) + Option (⌥) + K
Apply the Normal styleCtrl + Shift + NCommand (⌘) + Shift + N
Apply the Heading 1 styleCtrl + Alt + 1Command (⌘) + Option (⌥) + 1
Apply the Heading 2 styleCtrl + Alt + 2Command (⌘) + Option (⌥) + 2
Apply the Heading 3 styleCtrl + Alt + 3Command (⌘) + Option (⌥) + 3
Open the Styles paneCtrl + Alt + Shift + SCommand (⌘) + Option (⌥) + Shift + S
Increase the font sizeCtrl + Shift + >Command (⌘) + Shift + >
Decrease the font sizeCtrl + Shift + <Command (⌘) + Shift + <
Increase the font size by 1Ctrl + ]Command (⌘) + ]
Decrease the font size by 1Ctrl + [Command (⌘) + [
Display the Font dialog boxCtrl + D or Ctrl + Shift + FCommand (⌘) + D
Switch letter case between upper case, lower case and title caseShift + F3Shift + F3
Change text to all capital lettersCtrl + Shift + ACommand (⌘) + Shift + A
Make text boldCtrl + BCommand (⌘) + B
Make text italicsCtrl + ICommand (⌘) + I
Underline textCtrl + UCommand (⌘) + U
Underline words, but not spacesCtrl + Shift + WCommand (⌘) + Shift + W
Double-underline textCtrl + Shift + DCommand (⌘) + Shift + D
Apply Subscript formattingCtrl + =Command (⌘) + =
Apply Superscript formattingCtrl + Shift + Plus (+)Command (⌘) + Shift + Equal to (=)
Apply Strikethrough formattingCtrl + 5Command (⌘) + Shift + X
Add a bulleted listCtrl + Shift + LCommand (⌘) + Shift + L

Insert special characters

ACTIONWINDOWS KEYSMAC KEYS
Insert a line breakShift + EnterShift + Return
Insert a page breakCtrl + EnterCommand (⌘) + Return
Insert a column breakCtrl + Shift + EnterCommand (⌘) + Shift + Return
Insert a copyright symbol (©)Ctrl + Alt + COption (⌥) + G
Insert a registered trademark symbol (®)Ctrl + Alt + ROption (⌥) + R
Insert a trademark symbol (™)Ctrl + Alt + TOption (⌥) + 2
Insert an ellipsis (…)Ctrl + Alt + Period (.)Option + Semi colon (;)
Insert a nonbreaking hyphenCtrl + Shift + Hyphen (-)Command (⌘) + Shift + Hyphen (-)

Review a document

ACTIONWINDOWS KEYSMAC KEYS
Insert a commentCtrl + Alt + MCommand (⌘) + Option (⌥) + A
Go to the beginning of a commentHomeCommand (⌘) + Shift + ◄
Go to the end of a commentEndCommand (⌘) + Shift + ►
Turn revision tracking on or offCtrl + Shift + ECommand (⌘) + Shift + E
Run spelling and grammar checkF7Command (⌘) + Option (⌥) + L or F7
Open ThesaurusShift + F7Shift + F7
Switch among the last four edited locations in the documentCtrl + Alt + Z
Find the next spelling or grammatical errorOption (⌥) + F7
Close the Reviewing paneAlt + Shift + C

Work with tables

ACTIONWINDOWS KEYSMAC KEYS
Move to the next cell in the rowTabTab
Move to the previous cell in the rowShift + TabShift + Tab
Move to the first cell in the rowAlt + HomeControl (⌃) + Fn + ◄
Move to the last cell in the rowAlt + EndControl (⌃) + Fn + ►
Move to the first cell in the columnAlt + Page upControl (⌃) + Fn + ▲
Move to the last cell in the columnAlt + Page downControl (⌃) + Fn + ▼
Move one row upAlt + Shift + ↑
Move one row downAlt + Shift + ↓
Insert a row above the current oneCommand (⌘) + Control (⌃) + I
Insert a row at the bottom of the tableTab (at the end of the last row)
Select the content in the next cellTabTab
Select the content in the previous cellShift + TabShift + Tab
Extend a selection to adjacent cellsShift + →

Shift + ←

Shift + ↑


Shift + ↓

Shift + ►

Shift + ◄

Shift + ▲

Shift + ▼

Select the entire tableAlt + 5
Insert a new paragraph in a cellEnterReturn
Insert a Tab character in a cellCtrl + TabOption (⌥) + Tab

Work with text in other languages

ACTIONWINDOWS KEYSMAC KEYS
Display the Language dialog box to set the proofing languageAlt + R, U, L
Set default languageAlt + R, L
Switch the writing direction to right-to-leftCommand (⌘) + Control (⌃) + ◄
Switch the writing direction to left-to-rightCommand (⌘) + Control (⌃) + ►

Work with web content

ACTIONWINDOWS KEYSMAC KEYS
Insert a hyperlinkCtrl + KCommand (⌘) + K
Go back one pageAlt + ←
Go forward one pageAlt + →
Refresh the pageF9

Work with fields and mail merge

ACTIONWINDOWS KEYSMAC KEYS
Insert Date fieldAlt + Shift + DControl (⌃) + Shift + D
Insert Time fieldAlt + Shift + TControl (⌃) + Shift + T
Insert Page fieldAlt + Shift + PControl (⌃) + Shift + P
Insert Listnum fieldCtrl + Alt + LCommand (⌘) + Option (⌥) + Shift + L
Insert an empty fieldCtrl + F9Command (⌘) + F9
Go to the next fieldF11
Go to the previous fieldShift + F11
Update the selected fieldsF9F9
Switch between a selected field code and its resultShift + F9Shift + F9
Switch between all field codes and their resultsAlt + F9Option (⌥) + F9
Run GOTOBUTTON or MACROBUTTON from a field displaying field resultsAlt + Shift + F9Option (⌥) + Shift + F9
Lock a fieldCtrl + F11Command (⌘) + F11
Unlock a fieldCtrl + Shift + F11Command (⌘) + Shift + F11
MAIL MERGE
Preview the mail mergeAlt + Shift + K
Merge a documentAlt + Shift + N
Print the merged documentAlt + Shift + M
Edit a mail-merge documentAlt + Shift + E
Insert a merge fieldAlt + Shift + F

Work with references, citations and indexing

ACTIONWINDOWS KEYSMAC KEYS
Mark a table of contents entryAlt + Shift + O
Mark a table of authorities entry (citation)Alt + Shift + I
Choose citation optionsAlt+ Shift + F12, Spacebar
Mark an index entryAlt + Shift + X
Insert a footnoteCtrl + Alt + FCommand (⌘) + Option (⌥) + F
Insert an endnoteCtrl + Alt + DCommand (⌘) + Option (⌥) + E
Go to the next footnoteAlt + Shift + >
Go to the previous footnoteAlt + Shift + <

Work with document view

ACTIONWINDOWS KEYSMAC KEYS
Switch to Read Mode viewAlt + W, F
Switch to Print Layout ViewCtrl + Alt + P
Switch to Outline ViewCtrl + Alt + O
Switch to Draft ViewCtrl + Alt + N
Enable/disable document window splitCtrl + Alt + S
Switch to the next windowCommand (⌘) + Grave accent (`)
Switch to the previous windowCommand (⌘) + Shift + Grave accent (`)

Preview and print documents

ACTIONWINDOWS KEYSMAC KEYS
Print a documentCtrl + PCommand (⌘) + P
Open print previewCtrl + Alt + I

Ribbon keyboard shortcuts

Ribbons refer to similar options grouped together on tabs at the top of the Word document. You can access the ribbon options using Access Keys (Alt key + Key Tips letters displayed on the ribbon as small images next to the tabs and options when you press the Alt key).

ACTIONWINDOWS KEYS
Display the ribbon shortcut keysAlt or F10
Move the focus to commands on the ribbonTab or Shift + Tab
Move between command groupings on the ribbonCtrl + ←

Ctrl + →

Move among the items on the ribbon


Show the tooltip for the ribbon element in focusCtrl + Shift + F10
Activate the selected buttonSpacebar or Enter
Open the list for the selected command
Open the menu for the selected buttonAlt + ↓
Move to the submenu when a main menu is open
Expand or minimize the ribbonCtrl + F1
ACCESS KEYS FOR RIBBON TABS
Open the Home tabAlt + H
Open the File tabAlt + F
Open the Insert tabAlt + N
Open the Design tabAlt + G
Open the Layout tabAlt + P
Open the References tabAlt + S
Open the Mailings tabAlt + M
Open the Review tabAlt + R
Open the View tabAlt + W
Move to the Search fieldAlt + Q

Function key shortcuts

Function keys or the F keys can be found along the top row of the keyboard. They are similar to shortcut keys and can execute commands alone without the Ctrl or Command (⌘) key.

KEYACTION IN WINDOWSACTION IN MAC
F1Display the Word Help task paneUndo the previous action
F2Move the selected text or graphicCut the selected content to the clipboard
F3Copy the selected content to the clipboard
F4Repeat the last command or actionPaste the contents from the clipboard
F5Display the Go To dialog boxDisplay the Go To dialog box
F6Switch between the document, task pane, status bar, and ribbonSwitch between the document, task pane, status bar, and ribbon
F7Display the Editor task paneDisplay the Spelling and Grammar dialog box
F8Extend the selectionExtend the selection
F9Update the selected fieldsUpdate the selected fields
F10Turn Key Tips on or off
F11Move to the next fieldMove to the next field
F12Display the Save As dialog box

 

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