Computer Keyboard Shortcuts
General & Windows Operating System Shortcuts
| Shortcut Key | Action / Function |
| Ctrl + C | Copy selected text, file, or item |
| Ctrl + X | Cut selected text, file, or item |
| Ctrl + V | Paste copied or cut item |
| Ctrl + A | Select all contents in a document or window |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo the last action |
| Ctrl + Y | Redo the last undone action |
| Ctrl + F | Open “Find” dialog box to search text |
| Ctrl + P | Open the print window/dialog box |
| Ctrl + S | Save the current file or document |
| Ctrl + N | Open a new document, window, or file |
| Ctrl + O | Open an existing file |
| Alt + Tab | Switch between open applications and windows |
| Windows Key + D | Minimize all open windows and display the desktop |
| Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Open the Task Manager directly |
| Alt + F4 | Close the active program or window |
Microsoft Word / Text Formatting Shortcuts
| Shortcut Key | Action / Function |
| Ctrl + B | Bold selected text |
| Ctrl + I | Italicize selected text |
| Ctrl + U | Underline selected text |
| Ctrl + L | Align text to the left |
| Ctrl + R | Align text to the right |
| Ctrl + E | Centre align text |
| Ctrl + J | Justify text alignment |
| Ctrl + Shift + > | Increase font size |
| Ctrl + Shift + < | Decrease font size |
| F12 | Open the “Save As” dialog box |
Microsoft Excel / Spreadsheet Shortcuts
| Shortcut Key | Action / Function |
| Ctrl + Home | Move to the beginning of a worksheet (Cell A1) |
| Ctrl + End | Move to the last cell containing data on worksheet |
| F2 | Edit the active cell |
| Ctrl + Shift + ; | Insert the current time |
| Ctrl + ; | Insert the current date |
| F4 | Repeat last action or lock cell references in formulas |
| Alt + = | Automatically insert AutoSum formula |
Web Browser Shortcuts (Chrome, Edge, Firefox)
| Shortcut Key | Action / Function |
| Ctrl + T | Open a new browser tab |
| Ctrl + W | Close the current active tab |
| Ctrl + Shift + T | Re-open the last closed tab |
| Ctrl + Tab | Switch to the next open tab on the right |
| Ctrl + Shift + N | Open a new Incognito / Private browsing window |
| Ctrl + D | Bookmark the current webpage |
| Ctrl + J | Open the downloads page/history |
| F5 or Ctrl + R | Refresh the current webpage |
PYQs
1. What is the shortcut key used to paste copied text or objects in Microsoft Office and Windows applications? [Clerkship 2019]
(A) Ctrl + C
(B) Ctrl + V
(C) Ctrl + X
(D) Ctrl + P
Answer: (B) Ctrl + V
2. Which shortcut key combination is pressed to select all text, files, or contents within an active window or document? [Clerkship 2007]
(A) Ctrl + A
(B) Ctrl + S
(C) Ctrl + F
(D) Ctrl + N
Answer: (A) Ctrl + A
3. In MS Word, which function key directly opens the ‘Save As’ dialog box?
[Clerkship 2015]
(A) F1
(B) F5
(C) F7
(D) F12
Answer: (D) F12
4. Which keyboard shortcut is used to undo the last action performed in a document or application? [Clerkship 2009]
(A) Ctrl + Y
(B) Ctrl + Z
(C) Ctrl + U
(D) Ctrl + D
Answer: (B) Ctrl + Z
5. What is the keyboard shortcut used for inserting a manual line break in Microsoft Word without starting a new paragraph? [Clerkship 2019]
(A) Ctrl + Enter
(B) Alt + Enter
(C) Shift + Enter
(D) Space + Enter
Answer: (C) Shift + Enter