An effective crib sheet: the most used keyboard shortcuts

Using keyboard shortcuts can markedly simplify and speed up your work on a computer. These little tricks save time, reduce the need to use the mouse and raise overall productivity. Whether you work with documents, manage the file system or just browse the internet ordinarily, you can carry out all these activities faster with keyboard shortcuts.

In this article we bring you a list of the most used keyboard shortcuts for Windows and Mac devices. We will focus on areas such as working with text, internet browsers, managing windows and system functions. If you do graphics work, our designer has a crib sheet of keyboard shortcuts for working in Photoshop for you too.

Basic shortcuts for working with text

Working with text is among the most frequent activities on a computer. If you regularly write documents, emails or messages, these shortcuts will save you plenty of time and make your work more effective.

• Copy:

Used to copy selected text or an object to the clipboard without removing it

• Windows: Ctrl + C
• Mac: Command + C

• Cut:

Lets you remove the selected content and save it to the clipboard for pasting later

• Windows: Ctrl + X
• Mac: Command + X

• Paste:

Inserts the content saved in the clipboard at the cursor's position.

• Windows: Ctrl + V
• Mac: Command + V

• Undo (cancel the last action):

Reverts the last change in a document or application.

• Windows: Ctrl + Z
• Mac: Command + Z

• Redo (restore the last action):

Restores an action that was reverted with the "undo" shortcut.

• Windows: Ctrl + Y
• Mac: Command + Shift + Z

• Select all text:
  • Windows: Ctrl + A
  • Mac: Command + A

For editing and formatting text

• Bold:
  • Windows: Ctrl + B
  • Mac: Command + B
• Italic:
  • Windows: Ctrl + I
  • Mac: Command + I
• Underline:
  • Windows: Ctrl + U
  • Mac: Command + U
• Find in text:
  • Windows: Ctrl + F
  • Mac: Command + F

For browsers and working with tabs

If you spend a lot of time in a browser, these shortcuts will help you switch tabs quickly and work with content more effectively.

• Open a new tab:
  • Windows: Ctrl + T
  • Mac: Command + T
• Close a tab:
  • Windows: Ctrl + W
  • Mac: Command + W
• Refresh the page:
  • Windows: Ctrl + R
  • Mac: Command + R
• Switch between tabs:
  • Windows: Ctrl + Tab
  • Mac: Command + Option + Right Arrow
• Open history or the last closed tab:
  • Windows: Ctrl + Shift + T
  • Mac: Command + Shift + T

For navigation and managing windows

• Switching between open windows:
  • Windows: Alt + Tab
  • Mac: Command + Tab
• Minimise a window:
  • Windows: Windows + Down Arrow
  • Mac: Command + M
• Maximise a window:
  • Windows: Windows + Up Arrow
  • Mac: Control + Command + F
• Show the desktop:
  • Windows: Windows + D
  • Mac: Command + F3

For fast access to computer functions

Working effectively with a computer covers not only editing text or managing windows but fast access to important system functions too. With keyboard shortcuts you can immediately open the task manager, lock the screen or quickly go to the file manager without a lengthy search through the system's menus.

• Open the Task Manager:
  • Windows: Ctrl + Shift + Esc
  • Mac: Command + Option + Esc

Lets you quickly check running processes, close unresponsive applications or monitor the use of system resources.

• Lock the screen:
  • Windows: Windows + L
  • Mac: Control + Command + Q

Immediately locks your computer, thereby securing your data when you leave your workplace.

• Show Finder (Mac) or This PC (Windows):
  • Windows: Windows + E
  • Mac: Command + Option + Space

Opens the default file manager, where you can quickly get to your documents, drives and network drives.

How to learn to use keyboard shortcuts?

1. Start with the simplest: choose 2-3 basic shortcuts you will use regularly. Copy, cut and paste, for instance.
2. Practise: the more you use the shortcuts, the more natural they will feel.
3. A list to hand: keep a list of shortcuts somewhere visible by your computer.
4. Discover new shortcuts: every program has its own specific shortcuts that are worth exploring.

Keyboard shortcuts can be a challenge at first, but mastering them will let you gain control over your computer and make your everyday work more effective. Do you have any favourite shortcuts we have not mentioned? Share them in the comments.