A keyboard shortcut is a sequence or combination of keystrokes on a computer keyboard which invokes commands in software. Some keyboard shortcuts require the user to press a single key or a sequence of keys one after the other. Other keyboard shortcuts require pressing and holding several keys simultaneously.
Below is a list of some of the most commonly used basic shortcut keys that work with almost all Windows computers and software programs. Memorizing these shortcuts or keeping a list close at hand will dramatically increase your productivity.
Ctrl + A = Select all text.
Ctrl + B = Change selected text to be Bold
Ctrl + I = Change selected text to be in Italics
Ctrl + U = Change selected text to be Underlined
Ctrl + F = Open find window for current document or window.
Ctrl + S = Save current document file.
Ctrl + X = Cut selected item.
Ctrl + C = Copy selected item.
Ctrl + V = Paste
Ctrl + P = Print the current page or document.
Home = Goes to beginning of current line.
Ctrl + Home = Goes to beginning of document.
End = Goes to end of current line.
Ctrl + End = Goes to end of document.
Ctrl + Esc = Opens the START menu
PC shortcut keys for Special Characters
There are many special characters that can be created using keyboard shortcuts. Below are some of the more common and popular special characters and the keyboard shortcuts to create them.
Alt + 0224 = à
Alt + 0232 = è
Alt + 0228 = ä
Alt + 0176 = ° (degree symbol)
Alt + 0177 = ± (plus/minus symbol)
Alt + 0153 = ™
Alt + 0169 = ©
Alt + 0174 = ®
Alt + 0128 = € (Euro currency)
Alt + 0162 = ¢ (Cent symbol)
Alt + 0163 = £ (British Pound currency)
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