Every time you reach for the mouse, you lose a few seconds.
Save 10 seconds, 100 times a day, and you get back about 17 minutes.
Every single day. Shortcuts are the easiest productivity win there is.
Here are 20 that work in most apps. Learn two a day and you will know them all in 10 days.
How to read the tables
- On Windows, you use the Ctrl key. On a Mac, you use the Cmd key (the one with the ⌘ symbol).
- A plus sign means press the keys together. For example, Ctrl+C means hold Ctrl, then tap C.
Everyday editing
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Copy | Ctrl+C | Cmd+C |
| Cut | Ctrl+X | Cmd+X |
| Paste | Ctrl+V | Cmd+V |
| Undo | Ctrl+Z | Cmd+Z |
| Redo | Ctrl+Y or Ctrl+Shift+Z | Cmd+Shift+Z |
| Select all | Ctrl+A | Cmd+A |
Files and documents
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Save | Ctrl+S | Cmd+S |
| Ctrl+P | Cmd+P | |
| Find on a page or in a document | Ctrl+F | Cmd+F |
| New folder (in File Explorer or Finder) | Ctrl+Shift+N | Cmd+Shift+N |
Moving between apps and windows
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Switch between open apps | Alt+Tab | Cmd+Tab |
| Close the current window or tab | Ctrl+W | Cmd+W |
| Close or quit the app | Alt+F4 | Cmd+Q |
| Open Task Manager (Windows) or Force Quit (Mac) when an app freezes | Ctrl+Shift+Esc | Cmd+Option+Esc |
In your web browser
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Open a new tab | Ctrl+T | Cmd+T |
| Reopen the tab you just closed | Ctrl+Shift+T | Cmd+Shift+T |
| Refresh the page | Ctrl+R or F5 | Cmd+R |
| Zoom in (use the minus key to zoom out) | Ctrl and + | Cmd and + |
Screen and security
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Screenshot of part of the screen | Windows key+Shift+S | Cmd+Shift+4 |
| Lock your screen when you step away | Windows key+L | Control+Cmd+Q |
On Windows, the screenshot is copied so you can paste it right away. On a Mac, it is saved to your desktop as a file.
Same keys, different jobs
Some shortcuts change meaning from one app to another.
- Ctrl+Shift+N makes a new folder in File Explorer. In a web browser, it opens a private window.
- Ctrl+H opens your history in a web browser. In Word and Excel, it opens Find and Replace.
- Redo is Ctrl+Y in many Windows apps, and Ctrl+Shift+Z in others.
If a shortcut does nothing, check which app is active.
How to learn them fast
- Pick 2 shortcuts a day.
- Stop using the mouse for those two actions.
- Stick a note on your screen with the 2 for the day.
- After 10 days, cover the tables and test yourself.
Your next step
Choose one:
- Get the Starter Skills Training Manual for more shortcuts and the basics behind them.
- Take a free practice quiz and test what you know.
- Join our community to ask questions and share your own favorite shortcuts.
Quick answers
Do these work on every keyboard?
Most do. Some laptops need the Fn key for keys like F5.
What if I press the wrong shortcut?
Undo fixes most mistakes right away. Press Ctrl+Z on Windows or Cmd+Z on a Mac.