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If you’ve heard of keyboard tools, you know that they can save you a lot of time when using software and apps like Microsoft Word. But did you know that Google Docs also has tools you can use with the keyboard? Here is a list of the best keyboard shortcuts for Google Docs. To save time while working, use keyboard shortcuts in Google Docs to move around, style, and make changes.
Google Docs has more than 100 keyboard options that make it work better. Here, we’ve put together a list of the most important ones that you can use in your daily life to get more done. Most Chromebook users use Google Docs as their text editor of choice. If you often use one of the most powerful Chromebooks, you’ll want to use these shortcuts to make your life easier.
Importance Of Google Docs Keyboard Shortcuts
There are many benefits to using keyboard shortcuts in Google Docs that can make you much more efficient and productive when using the app. Here are some important reasons why it’s important to learn and use Google Docs keyboard shortcuts:
- Reduced Reliance on the Mouse: Using only the mouse to move around and do things can slow you down and make it hard to focus. Using keyboard tools makes you less reliant on the mouse, which lets you keep your attention on the content.
- Accessibility: Shortcuts on the keyboard can be especially helpful for people with movement issues or other conditions that make it hard to use a mouse. They give you a different and more efficient way to use Google Docs.
- Consistency Across Devices: Once you know how to use keyboard keys in Google Docs, you can use them on different devices and platforms. This makes it easy to switch between devices because you don’t have to learn how to navigate and do things all over again.
Best Google Docs Keyboard Shortcuts
You are able to effectively handle your documents by using shortcuts on the keyboard. You may create new documents, shut existing ones, open and save them without breaking your rhythm while you type. Through the use of shortcuts, navigating and editing documents becomes much simpler. You can move the cursor, pick text, copy, cut, paste, and remove material without taking your hands off the keyboard. Additionally, you can move the cursor, choose text, and delete content.
Text Formatting:
| Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + B | Bold selected text. |
| Ctrl + I | Italicize selected text. |
| Ctrl + U | Underline selected text. |
| Ctrl + Shift + K | Create a link. |
| Ctrl + Shift + 5 | Strikethrough selected text. |
| Ctrl + ] | Increase font size. |
| Ctrl + [ | Decrease font size. |
| Ctrl + Shift + 7 | Numbered list. |
| Ctrl + Shift + 8 | Bulleted list. |
| Ctrl + Shift + 9 | Start a new paragraph without spacing. |
| Ctrl + Shift + L | Apply/remove a bullet or numbered list. |
| Ctrl + / | Superscript selected text. |
| Ctrl + Shift + , | Subscript selected text. |
Document Management:
| Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + P | Print the document. |
| Ctrl + F5 | View the document in full screen mode. |
| Ctrl + F12 | Open the “Save As” dialog to save a copy. |
| Ctrl + Shift + S | Apply or remove heading styles. |
| Ctrl + Alt + M | Comment on selected text or content. |
| Ctrl + Alt + J | Add a comment to the current position. |
| Ctrl + Alt + O | Open the Explore tool to get information. |
| Ctrl + Shift + C | Show word count. |
| Ctrl + Shift + I | Show document info. |
| Ctrl + Enter | Insert a page break. |
| Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + N | Create a new document. |
| Ctrl + O | Open an existing document. |
| Ctrl + S | Save the current document. |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo the last action. |
| Ctrl + Y | Redo the last undone action. |
| Ctrl + X | Cut selected text or content. |
| Ctrl + C | Copy selected text or content. |
| Ctrl + V | Paste copied or cut content. |
| Ctrl + A | Select all content in the document. |
| Ctrl + F | Open the “Find and replace” dialog. |
| Ctrl + H | Open the “Find and replace” dialog (replace). |
| Ctrl + Home | Go to the beginning of the document. |
| Ctrl + End | Go to the end of the document. |
| Ctrl + Arrow | Navigate word by word. |
| Ctrl + Backspace | Delete the previous word. |
Collaboration and Review:
| Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + Alt + A | Accept all suggested changes. |
| Ctrl + Alt + R | Reject all suggested changes. |
| Ctrl + Alt + N | Move to the next suggestion. |
| Ctrl + Alt + P | Move to the previous suggestion. |
| Ctrl + Alt + E | Accept the current suggestion. |
| Ctrl + Alt + Shift + E | Reject the current suggestion. |
| Ctrl + / (Cmd + /) | Show keyboard shortcuts dialog. |
Best Google Docs keyboard shortcuts for Different Platforms
There are some shortcuts on the keyboard that enable you to do many actions with a single command. You can reverse modifications, make new ones, and save them all at the same time, for example.Your overall productivity will increase if you make use of keyboard shortcuts since they will make it possible for you to perform activities in a quicker and more effective manner. This frees up more of your time for you to concentrate on the actual work at hand.
Mac:
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Bold | Command + B |
| Italic | Command + I |
| Underline | Command + U |
| Strikethrough | Command + Shift + X |
| Superscript | Command + . |
| Subscript | Command + , |
| Increase font size | Command + Shift + > |
| Decrease font size | Command + Shift + < |
| Numbered list | Command + Shift + 7 |
| Bulleted list | Command + Shift + 8 |
| Align left | Command + Shift + L |
| Align center | Command + Shift + E |
| Align right | Command + Shift + R |
| Justify | Command + Shift + J |
| Insert link | Command + K |
| Insert comment | Command + Option + M |
| Insert footnote | Command + Option + F |
| Find | Command + F |
| Find and replace | Command + Option + F |
| Undo | Command + Z |
| Redo | Command + Shift + Z |
Chrome OS:
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Bold | Ctrl + B |
| Italic | Ctrl + I |
| Underline | Ctrl + U |
| Strikethrough | Alt + Shift + 5 |
| Superscript | Ctrl + . |
| Subscript | Ctrl + , |
| Increase font size | Ctrl + Shift + > |
| Decrease font size | Ctrl + Shift + < |
| Numbered list | Ctrl + Shift + 7 |
| Bulleted list | Ctrl + Shift + 8 |
| Align left | Ctrl + Shift + L |
| Align center | Ctrl + Shift + E |
| Align right | Ctrl + Shift + R |
| Justify | Ctrl + Shift + J |
| Insert link | Ctrl + K |
| Insert comment | Ctrl + Alt + M |
| Insert footnote | Ctrl + Alt + F |
| Find | Ctrl + F |
| Find and replace | Ctrl + H |
| Undo | Ctrl + Z |
| Redo | Ctrl + Y |
Windows and Linux:
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Bold | Ctrl + B |
| Italic | Ctrl + I |
| Underline | Ctrl + U |
| Strikethrough | Alt + Shift + 5 |
| Superscript | Ctrl + . |
| Subscript | Ctrl + , |
| Increase font size | Ctrl + Shift + > |
| Decrease font size | Ctrl + Shift + < |
| Numbered list | Ctrl + Shift + 7 |
| Bulleted list | Ctrl + Shift + 8 |
| Align left | Ctrl + Shift + L |
| Align center | Ctrl + Shift + E |
| Align right | Ctrl + Shift + R |
| Justify | Ctrl + Shift + J |
| Insert link | Ctrl + K |
| Insert comment | Ctrl + Alt + M |
| Insert footnote | Ctrl + Alt + F |
| Find | Ctrl + F |
| Find and replace | Ctrl + H |
| Undo | Ctrl + Z |
| Redo | Ctrl + Y |
How to Use Google Docs Keyboard Shortcuts effectively?
Using the keyboard shortcuts in Google Docs well can make you much more productive and efficient when you’re working on papers. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use these tools to your advantage:
- Stay Consistent: Try to use computer shortcuts the same way every time. This will help you remember them better. Avoid doing the same things with both keyboard shortcuts and mouse movements.
- Review and Update: Every so often, look over the keyboard shortcuts you’ve learned and see if there are any new ones that could help you get things done faster. In updates, Google might add new options.
- Practice and patience: Learning computer shortcuts is like learning any other skill: it takes time and practice. Don’t give up if you can’t remember all of them right away. Adding them to your habit slowly will make you more efficient over time.
Question and Answers
To get to the keyboard options in Google Docs, press “Ctrl” (or “Cmd” on a Mac) and “/.” This will bring up the full list of methods.
To move between different sections, headings, or tables in your document, press “Ctrl” + “Alt” + “Arrow Up” or “Ctrl” + “Alt” + “Arrow Down”.