As an editor, I have to do repetitive tasks in Microsoft® Word–just as you do. Over the years, I’ve built this list of keyboard shortcuts to help speed my typing while editing. Each shortcut saves time (and may lead to more sleep during editing and writing cycles 😊).
Let me know if these keyboard shortcuts don’t work for you and add any other favorites to the list!
Typing and editing |
|
| Select all | CTRL+A |
| Copy | CTRL+C |
| Paste | CTRL+V |
| Undo last action | CTRL+Z |
| Redo last action | CTRL+Y |
| Delete selected item and save a copy to clipboard | CTRL+X |
| Copy the selected item while leaving the original item in place | CTRL while dragging an item |
| Find | CTRL+F |
| Find and replace dialog box | CTRL+H |
| Go to a certain page | CTRL+G |
| Move the cursor to beginning of next word | CTRL+Right Arrow |
| Move the cursor to beginning of previous word | CTRL+Left Arrow |
| Move the cursor to beginning of next paragraph | CTRL+Down Arrow |
| Move the cursor to beginning of previous paragraph | CTRL+Up Arrow |
| Move to beginning of line | HOME (with Num Lock off] |
| Move to end of line | END (with Num Lock off) |
| Delete the selected item | Highlight and DELETE (or Highlight and BACKSPACE) |
| Delete one word to the left | CTRL BACKSPACE |
| Delete one word to the right | CTRL+DELETE |
| Create a nonbreaking space | CTRL+SHIFT+SPACEBAR |
| Create a nonbreaking hyphen | CTRL+SHIFT+HYPHEN |
| Easily access common tasks | Right click in text |
Formatting shortcuts |
|
| Insert hyperlink | CTRL+K |
| Apply or remove bold formatting from the selected text | CTRL+B |
| Apply or remove italic formatting from the selected text | CTRL+I |
| Apply or remove underline formatting from the selected text | CTRL+U |
| Decrease font size 1 point | CTRL+[ or CTRL+SHIFT+< |
| Increase font size 1 point | CTRL+] or CTRL+SHIFT+> |
| Remove character or paragraph formatting | CTRL+SPACEBAR |
At Windows level |
|
| Open a new Word document | CTRL+N |
| Switch between open documents | ALT+TAB |
| Delete a selected item permanently without moving the item to the Recycle Bin | Shift+Delete |
| Open the shortcut menu for active window | ALT+Spacebar |
| Close the active document in programs that enable multiple documents to be open at the same time | CTRL+F4 |
| Switch between open documents | ALT+TAB |
| Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened | ALT+ESC |
| Display Start menu | CTRL+ESC |
Image courtesy of Bing photos