Table of Contents
We’ve put together a list of more than 20 helpful iPad Keyboard Shortcuts for people who use their iPad with a separate keyboard. These shortcuts will save you time and help you get more done on your iPad. We’ve also included a list of keyboard shortcuts for some of our favorite iPad apps, like Things, Ulysses, Lightroom, and more.
If you want to see what keyboard shortcuts are available for the app you’re currently using, press and hold the Command button and then choose from the groups that appear on the screen. Each app on the iPad comes with its own set of keyboard options. Some of them are the same across apps, like using Command+F to find something or Command+N to start a new document, but others aren’t as clear. Let’s look at a few of the most helpful ones.
Benefits of Using iPad Keyboard Shortcuts
Using keyboard tools on an iPad can make your work with the device much faster and more productive. Here are some of the best reasons to use keyboard buttons on your iPad:
- Speed and efficiency: You can do things much faster with keyboard shortcuts than with touch-based features. This is especially helpful when you have to type a lot or go through a lot of choices.
- Multitasking: The iPadOS has tools for multitasking that let you use more than one app at the same time. You can switch between apps, use split-screen views, and get more done with keyboard tools.
- Consistency: Many keyboard shortcuts work the same way in different iPad apps and for different functions. This makes them easy to remember and use for different tasks.
Best iPad Keyboard Shortcuts
Text editing and formatting are both made easier by using shortcuts on the keyboard. You can pick, cut, copy, paste, and format text without having to physically touch the screen at any point in the process. When using keyboard shortcuts, activities such as navigating within apps, scrolling through documents, and interacting with a variety of UI elements become more streamlined.
Note-taking and Writing:
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Command + C | Copy selected text |
| Command + X | Cut selected text |
| Command + V | Paste copied/cut text |
| Command + Z | Undo |
| Command + Shift + Z | Redo |
| Command + A | Select all text |
| Command + B | Bold selected text |
| Command + I | Italicize selected text |
| Command + U | Underline selected text |
| Command + F | Find |
| Command + G | Find next occurrence |
| Command + Shift + G | Find previous occurrence |
| Command + H | Replace |
Productivity:
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Command + N | New document/window |
| Command + S | Save |
| Command + P | |
| Command + F | Search within document |
| Command + Space | Spotlight search |
| Command + Tab | Switch between open apps |
| Command + W | Close current window/document |
| Command + Q | Quit the active app |
| Command + Shift + 3 | Take a screenshot |
| Command + Shift + 4 | Take a screenshot and open markup |
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Command + T | Open a new tab in Safari |
| Command + W | Close the current tab in Safari |
| Command + R | Reload the current page in Safari |
| Command + [ | Go back one page in Safari |
| Command + ] | Go forward one page in Safari |
| Command + L | Focus on the address bar in Safari |
| Command + Tab | Switch between open tabs in Safari |
| Command + Shift + T | Reopen the last closed tab in Safari |
Multitasking:
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Command + Space | Open the app switcher |
| Command + Tab | Navigate through app switcher |
| Command + H | Return to the Home screen |
| Command + Shift + H | Open App Switcher directly |
| Command + Option + D | Show/hide the Dock |
| Command + Option + H | Show App Switcher |
FAQs
A: You can find a full list of iPad keyboard shortcuts in the Settings app by going to General > Keyboard > Hardware Keyboard or by hitting and holding the Command key () on the keyboard while using a certain app.
A: Yes, you can use a computer that is not built into your iPad. Apple has its own Smart Keyboard Folio and Magic Keyboard, but you can also use other Bluetooth or USB keyboards that work with iPad.
A: Keyboard keys work on most iPads that run iPadOS. But keyboard shortcuts might not work as well or at all on older devices or those running earlier versions of iOS. To find out what keyboard shortcuts are available for your iPad model and software version, you should check the official Apple support materials.