# What keyboard shortcuts do you use the most? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 22, 2002, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-keyboard-shortcuts-do-you-use-the-most/133428 "2002-10-22T21:17:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2002, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-keyboard-shortcuts-do-you-use-the-most/133428/21 "2002-10-24T12:17:25Z")
OK, thanks. I didn’t know about Alt-F4. Though my PC (Win98, Office 98) doesn’t seem to behave quite like that. I tried opening two documents in Word. Alt-F4 closes the currently active document. If the current one is the only one open, then it closes the whole program, while Ctrl-F4 will close that document but keeps the program running. Also Ctrl-F4 doesn’t seem to do anything at all on Opera, so I guess it’s not a very generic shortcut. ---
**Author:** ![ForbiddenFruitsalad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ccd318/32.png) [@ForbiddenFruitsalad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ForbiddenFruitsalad)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2002, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-keyboard-shortcuts-do-you-use-the-most/133428/22 "2002-10-24T12:29:01Z")
Alt-F4 closes the currently active window, while Ctrl-F4 closes the currently active MDI (Multiple Document Interface) window - like an opened document window in Excel. Starting with Office 2000, Word isn’t an MDI application anymore and uses separate non-MDI windows for opened documents. Hence the difference in shortcut key behavior. ---
**Author:** ![Go\_alien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9d8465/32.png) [@Go\_alien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_alien)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2002, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-keyboard-shortcuts-do-you-use-the-most/133428/23 "2002-10-24T12:40:02Z")
Is this a candidate for the nerdiest IMHO poll? 🙂 FWIW, being a heavy Word user, I use the Word editing keyboard shortcuts the most - cut, paste, edit, save and the saviour of all crap typists, undo. ---
**Author:** ![emulsified](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emulsified/32/2915_2.png) [@emulsified](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emulsified)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2002, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-keyboard-shortcuts-do-you-use-the-most/133428/24 "2002-10-24T18:05:13Z")
Am I the only one who uses alt+left arrow to go back instead of clicking the button? Tabbing between fields is essential for me, too. In fact, I’m about to do it right now. ---
**Author:** ![Tygr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/df788c/32.png) [@Tygr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tygr)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2002, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-keyboard-shortcuts-do-you-use-the-most/133428/25 "2002-10-24T19:16:11Z")
Use Cmd + Z all the time when designing. In fact, I use it so much, I’ll occasionally invoke it when I’m not at the computer - I’ll drop something and I’ll think, _“Augh! Oh, no! Command-Z!”_ My design instructor warned me this would happen… _sigh_ Ah, if only life DID have an ‘Undo’ feature. ---
**Author:** ![Tars\_Tarkas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tars\_Tarkas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tars_Tarkas)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-keyboard-shortcuts-do-you-use-the-most/133428/26 "2002-10-25T00:35:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Go alien \* > \*\*Is this a candidate for the nerdiest IMHO poll? 🙂 > \*\* Hey, don’t make me break out my Phaser!!! I’ll Ctrl-X you!!! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Triskadecamus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-keyboard-shortcuts-do-you-use-the-most/133428/27 "2002-10-25T04:28:40Z")
Ctrl-a; Ctrl-x; Alt-Tab; Ctrl-v That takes stuff out of Word, and onto the SDMB. ---
**Author:** ![cckerberos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@cckerberos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cckerberos)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-keyboard-shortcuts-do-you-use-the-most/133428/28 "2002-10-25T05:48:47Z")
I usually hit ‘Windows, U, U’ to shut down with. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-keyboard-shortcuts-do-you-use-the-most/133428/29 "2002-10-25T07:22:18Z")
I didn’t realize how often I use them, until I started this job, where I’m surrounded by a lot of mostly computer illiterate people. I’ll be tapping away, doing whatever, and they stare at me like I’m God. Occasionally, one of them will work up the courage to whisper an awed, “How did you do that??” ---
**Author:** ![Jman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jman/32/4416_2.png) [@Jman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jman)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-keyboard-shortcuts-do-you-use-the-most/133428/30 "2002-10-25T13:48:13Z")
I use ALT-TAB so much that I mapped it to the 3rd mouse button on my Trackball explorer. I also use Windows+D a lot. Jman ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2002, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-keyboard-shortcuts-do-you-use-the-most/133428/31 "2002-10-26T06:50:45Z")
In IE, type straightdope into the address bar, hit CTRL + RET, and it automatically turns it into [http://www.straightdope.com](http://www.straightdope.com) and launches it. ---
**Author:** ![Lorenzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4da419/32.png) [@Lorenzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lorenzo)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2002, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-keyboard-shortcuts-do-you-use-the-most/133428/32 "2002-10-26T06:55:32Z")
shift + F10 = right click ---
**Author:** ![11811](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/9d8465/32.png) [@11811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11811)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2002, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-keyboard-shortcuts-do-you-use-the-most/133428/33 "2002-10-26T11:47:01Z")
For PC: ctrl-F4 to close files, altF4 to quit programs, alt-F-S to save new files, Ctrl-P to print, Ctrl-B to bold, Ctrl-I to italicize, and the all-time most useful for editing manuscripts written by foreigners: Alt-T-L-L to set the language for spell-check. Foreign authors frequently use UK English to spell check. You can reset the language to US English to spell check and simultaneously change British spelllings to US spellings: “colour” to “color,” etc. For Mac: Apple-c, apple-v, apple-w, apple q. 11811 ---
**Author:** ![DirtyKash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@DirtyKash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DirtyKash)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2004, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-keyboard-shortcuts-do-you-use-the-most/133428/34 "2004-01-28T00:55:11Z")
I hit CTRL+ALT+DEL twice, very often. ---
**Author:** ![emekthian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecae2f/32.png) [@emekthian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emekthian)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2004, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-keyboard-shortcuts-do-you-use-the-most/133428/35 "2004-01-28T04:18:59Z")
ALT+ 0225(á) 0231(ç) 0235(ë) 0238(î) and 0239(ï) CTRL+C CTRL+V ---
**Author:** ![fishbicycle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aeb1de/32.png) [@fishbicycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fishbicycle)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2004, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-keyboard-shortcuts-do-you-use-the-most/133428/36 "2004-01-28T04:21:29Z")
I’m always copying and pasting text, so the standard ctrl + a, ctrl + c, ctrl + v. I use ctrl + tab to toggle between open tabs in Netscape, ctrl + w to close browser windows. F5 to reload pages. F11 to view a webpage in fullscreen. I use Cool Edit 2000 audio recording software every day. It has the cool (sorry! - lots of things about it are _really cool_!) feature of programmable keyboard shortcuts. You can bring up any function on any key. So I have the whole group of keys on the left hand side of the keyboard programmed for functions I use all the time, so I don’t have to move my hand all over to find something. Z = mix paste, X = amplify, C = envelope, V = compressor, N = noise reduction, M = channel mixer, D = duplicate and open in new window, TAB = open new wave, F1 = insert space, 2 = zoom in, 3 = zoom out, 5 = normalize, as well as the standard cut/copy/paste shortcuts, etc. It’s very handy, I hardly ever have to click on something to open it. People watch me and don’t have any idea what I’m doing, or how I know which keys to press. I also use a trackball. I’m so used to them now, I couldn’t go back to a mouse. ---
**Author:** ![Dinaroozie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Dinaroozie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinaroozie)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2004, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-keyboard-shortcuts-do-you-use-the-most/133428/37 "2004-01-28T06:34:58Z")
Let’s see… Alt-Tab pretty often, Ctrl-A (select all) very often, F5 (refresh), Ctrl-Alt-Delete more or less constantly. Alt-F4 is a goody, as is the ever-useful Ctrl-X, Ctrl-C, and Ctrl-V (cut, copy, and paste). There are probably others I can’t think of at the moment, but… none that I can think of. Also, in Vi, Shift-G is always handy, as is Shift-A, a, and i. Also, /\ rocks the gold tooth. Although those might not be accurate, since I haven’t used Vi for ages (uni). One day, I hope to have mad Vi skills like lab techs do. They can make anything happen instantly by pressing a few keys, I swear to god. ~ Isaac ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2004, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-keyboard-shortcuts-do-you-use-the-most/133428/38 "2004-01-28T13:07:49Z")
**Dinaroozie** (oo… just used ctrl-c ctrl-v to paste that without thinking) I use **vi** a _lot_ but it’s all second nature I’m not sure I could list the commands - but for people with no idea to cut and paste a block of text its goes someting like mk "ay’k ap got that? My favorite short-cut isn’t a key, it’s the magic select-n-paste with the middle mouse button in X-windows. ---
**Author:** ![dwc1970](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@dwc1970](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwc1970)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2004, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-keyboard-shortcuts-do-you-use-the-most/133428/39 "2004-01-28T13:23:35Z")
Here’s my current repertoire of most of my commonly used keyboard shortcuts: [ul] [li][CTRL]+A = Select all[/li][li][CTRL]+B = Bold[/li][li][CTRL]+C = Copy[/li][li][CTRL]+F = Find/Search[/li][li][CTRL]+G = Go to[/li][li][CTRL]+H = Find/Search and Replace[/li][li][CTRL]+I = Italics[/li][li][CTRL]+N = New[/li][li][CTRL]+P = Print[/li][li][CTRL]+S = Save[/li][li][CTRL]+U = Underline[/li][li][CTRL]+V = Paste[/li][li][CTRL]+w = Close window[/li][li][CTRL]+x = Cut[/li][li][CTRL]+Z = Undo[/li][li]F1 = Help[/li][li]F2 = Rename file/change contents of cell (Excel). I frequently use this one to highlight a filename and copying it, and then press ESC.[/li][li]F4 = Find (Outlook)[/li][li][ALT]+F4 = Close application/window[/li][li]F5 = Refresh/update/check email[/li][li]F7 = Spell check (Word, Excel, Outlook)[/li][li][ALT]+F7 = Thesaurus (Word)[/li][li][Windows]+F = Find file(s)[/li][li][Windows]+M = Minimize all[/li][li][Windows]+R = Run[/li][li][ALT]+TAB = task switch[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![cowgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2004, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-keyboard-shortcuts-do-you-use-the-most/133428/40 "2004-01-28T15:16:56Z")
wow, I love this thread ! I use shortcuts all I can. Developing the habit of pressing ctrl+S after every chunk of typing was the best thing I’ve ever done. It’s so automatic that when I write longhand, my left hand automatically tries to save after my right hand has written a paragraph ! My favourite one that hasn’t been mentioned is ctrl+arrow to jump through words or lines, can be combined with shift+arrow to select. It’s the best way to select text (and is verrrry useful in Excel) because it means you don’t accidently scroll too quickly past where you want to stop. When I wrote my thesis I used a lot of ctrl+shift+1, 2 and 3 to change the heading levels in my Word doc, also I added ctrl+P (as I don’t have a printer on my home computer) and ctrl+O to switch between Print and Outline views. Also ctrl+H for hilighting text. These were very helpful in writing and managing a 50-page document ! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-keyboard-shortcuts-do-you-use-the-most/133428.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-keyboard-shortcuts-do-you-use-the-most/133428.md?page=3)