Use the keyboard, not the mouse

You can use the keyboard to activate commands in any application

Many computer users find it more convenient to use the keyboard rather than a mouse or other device to enter commands. You will find that almost any aspect of the operation of an application can be controlled using keyboard shortcuts.

System-wide shortcuts

Basic operations can be performed by means of shortcuts.

Command Shortcut
Copy CTRL+C (Windows) or CMD+C (macOS)
Cut CTRL+X or CMD+X
Paste CTRL+V or CMD+V
Select all CTRL+A or CMD+A
Undo an action CTRL+Z or CMD+Z
Redo an action CTRL+Y or CMD+Y
Save CTRL+S or CMD+S
Save as CTRL+SHIFT+ S or CMD+SHIFT+ S
Print CTRL+P or CMD+P
Close the active document CTRL+F4 or CMD+W

If you find it convenient to use the keyboard to carry out operations like these, you will find a much fuller range of options in Windows and in macOS.

Shortcuts in web browsers

These commands function both in Firefox and in Chrome.

Command Shortcut
Open new window CTRL+N or CMD+N
Open new tab CTRL+T or CMD+T
Go to the top of the page CTRL+↑ or CMD+↑
Go to the bottom of the page CTRL+↓ or CMD+↓
Print CTRL+P or CMD+P
Reload CTRL+R or CMD+R
Find in page CTRL+F or CMD+F
Highlight current address CTRL+L or CMD+L
History CTRL+H or CMD+H

Shortcuts in word-processors

Many of the system-wide shortcuts function in word-processors and Word, LibreOffice and Google Docs all many additional commands that can be activated through the keyboard.

Here are some useful ones to keep in mind in using any of these applications.

Command Shortcut
Open a document CTRL+O or CMD+O
Open a new document CTRL+N or CMD+N
Edit link CTRL+K or CMD+K
Find CTRL+F or CMD+F
Italics CTRL+I or CMD+I
Bold CTRL+B or CMD+B