How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts to Work Faster

Work Faster with Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts let you perform common tasks without reaching for the mouse. Learning even a few shortcuts can save you hours each week.

Essential Windows Shortcuts

These shortcuts work everywhere in Windows:

Basic Operations

| Shortcut | What It Does | |----------|--------------| | Ctrl + C | Copy selected item | | Ctrl + X | Cut selected item | | Ctrl + V | Paste | | Ctrl + Z | Undo last action | | Ctrl + Y | Redo (undo the undo) | | Ctrl + A | Select all | | Ctrl + S | Save | | Ctrl + P | Print | | Ctrl + F | Find/Search |

Window Management

| Shortcut | What It Does | |----------|--------------| | Alt + Tab | Switch between open programs | | Windows + D | Show desktop (minimise everything) | | Windows + L | Lock your computer | | Windows + E | Open File Explorer | | Alt + F4 | Close current program | | Windows + Left/Right | Snap window to side of screen |

Text Editing

| Shortcut | What It Does | |----------|--------------| | Ctrl + Home | Go to beginning of document | | Ctrl + End | Go to end of document | | Ctrl + Left/Right | Move cursor one word at a time | | Shift + Arrow keys | Select text | | Ctrl + Shift + Arrow | Select word by word | | Ctrl + Backspace | Delete whole word |

Microsoft Word Shortcuts

| Shortcut | What It Does | |----------|--------------| | Ctrl + B | Bold | | Ctrl + I | Italic | | Ctrl + U | Underline | | Ctrl + Enter | Insert page break | | Ctrl + K | Insert hyperlink | | F7 | Spelling and grammar check |

Microsoft Excel Shortcuts

| Shortcut | What It Does | |----------|--------------| | Ctrl + Arrow | Jump to edge of data | | Ctrl + Shift + Arrow | Select to edge of data | | F2 | Edit cell | | Ctrl + ; | Insert today's date | | Ctrl + Shift + ; | Insert current time | | Alt + Enter | New line within a cell | | Ctrl + Space | Select entire column | | Shift + Space | Select entire row |

Microsoft Outlook Shortcuts

| Shortcut | What It Does | |----------|--------------| | Ctrl + N | New email | | Ctrl + R | Reply | | Ctrl + Shift + R | Reply all | | Ctrl + F | Forward | | Ctrl + Enter | Send email | | Ctrl + Shift + M | New message | | Ctrl + 1 | Go to Mail | | Ctrl + 2 | Go to Calendar |

Microsoft Teams Shortcuts

| Shortcut | What It Does | |----------|--------------| | Ctrl + E | Search | | Ctrl + N | Start new chat | | Ctrl + Shift + M | Mute/unmute in meeting | | Ctrl + Shift + O | Turn camera on/off | | Ctrl + Shift + K | Raise/lower hand | | Ctrl + . | Show keyboard shortcuts |

Browser Shortcuts

These work in Chrome, Edge, and most browsers:

| Shortcut | What It Does | |----------|--------------| | Ctrl + T | New tab | | Ctrl + W | Close tab | | Ctrl + Shift + T | Reopen closed tab | | Ctrl + Tab | Switch to next tab | | Ctrl + L | Select address bar | | Ctrl + D | Bookmark page | | F5 | Refresh page |

Tips for Learning Shortcuts

Start Small

• Pick 3-5 shortcuts to learn first
• Write them on a sticky note near your screen
• Force yourself to use them instead of the mouse
• Add more once these become automatic

Best Shortcuts to Learn First

If you are new to shortcuts, start with these five:

• Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V (copy and paste)
• Ctrl + Z (undo mistakes)
• Ctrl + S (save your work)
• Alt + Tab (switch programs)
• Windows + L (lock your computer)

Practice Makes Perfect

It feels slower at first, but after a week or two, shortcuts become second nature and you will wonder how you worked without them.

Finding More Shortcuts

Most programs show shortcuts next to menu items. Look in the menus of programs you use frequently to discover more.

Need Help?

For productivity tips and training, contact helpdesk@netlumait.com.au or call 1300 521 162.