Keyboard Shortcuts for Word Documents

Most of us who have a million and one things on our plates can appreciate anything that will save time and energy, and make our days more productive. Did you know that there are several very efficient and time effective shortcuts to using Microsoft Word documents? Of course, you know there are some ways but did you know that there are ways located right on your keyboard? The purpose of this article is to inform you very busy people how to make your time most productive by using these shortcuts to get to what you need as quickly as possible. As you already may know, using the Ctrl or Alt key and pressing another given key at the same time will perform some sort of function. But the trick is knowing what key to press with the Ctrl or Alt key to get what you need.

Not only will we show you what key to use for getting to certain functions in a Word document, but we will also show you how to get to a list of Ctrl or Alt functions (in the event that you misplace this list). One thing about being an office professional that is a no-brainer: we are very busy people and have very limited time. There are only 24 hours in a day---no more, no less. So while in your office, making the most of your already limited time is very crucial. Let's take a look at some shortcuts that you'll want to commit to memory.

Ctrl:

A-Selects all text and graphics in the active window

B-Bold-Make text bold or remove bold from text

C-Copy-copies the selection to the clipboard

F-Find-Searches for specific text in the active document

I-Italic-Make text italic or remove italic

N-Open a new word document quickly

O-Opens a previously saved document

P-Prints the active file, also gives the opportunity to change print options

S-Saves the active document with its current file name, location and format

U-Underline-make text underlined or removes underline from text

V-Paste-inserts the contents of the clipboard at the cursor or whatever is selected

W-Closes the active window but does not exit Word

X-Cut-Removes the selection from the active document and places it on the clipboard

Y-Redo-After an action has been undone; it can be reinstated in the document

Z-Undo the last action. This selection can be repeated several times

Alt:

F4-Exit-Closes Word

If you ever forget any of these commands, you can always take the long route by going to the menu bar. You will see the shortcut for each of these commands on the right side of the function you want to perform. Now go and have some fun being more productive!