How to use keyboard shortcuts on windows and macbook devices
Have you ever wondered how to operate keyboard shortcuts or how to get around a computer without using your mouse? Web pages containing these shortcuts are often confusing, so, we’ve put together a few tips for you to help you when it comes to shortcuts for Windows and Macbook devices.
working with shortcuts on windows
- Copy text - Select the text that you wish to copy, then hold down the ‘Ctrl’ button and letter ‘C’.
- Copy all text - Hold down the ‘Ctrl’ button, together with the letter ‘A’. If you wish to copy all text, use the method above and to paste, use the method below.
- Paste text - Select the area that you wish to paste your text (this can be on any document/browser/email etc). Hold down the ‘Ctrl button and letter ‘V’.
- Cut/remove text - Select the text that you wish to cut and select ‘Ctrl’ and the letter ‘L’.
- Find/search for text/words - Hold down ‘Ctrl’ and select the letter ‘F’. This can be used to find any words within a document/browser/email etc. A dialogue box will appear in the top right hand corner of your screen. Type in the box the word/phrase that you wish to seek and the box will show how many items of that word are found within your search of a singular page. These will be highlighted within the document. You can also use the up and down arrows to automatically move to the next word that associates with your search.
- Opening file explorer - Hold down the windows key on your keyboard (The four squares in between the ‘Ctrl’ and ‘Alt’ buttons, and select the letter ‘E’. This will open up your file explorer where you keep all of your documents.
- Incognito mode - To open up a tab which does not log your history on the MAIN search browser, hold the ‘Ctrl’ button together with the ‘Shift’ button (the arrow pointing upwards above the Ctrl button), together with the letter ‘N’.
- Undo your previous action - (This may not work on all platforms). Hold down the ‘Ctrl’ button and click the letter ‘Z’.
- Re-do your previous action - Hold down the ‘Ctrl’ button and click the letter ‘Y’.
- Screenshot page - To take a screenshot of your page, you will need to click on the ‘PrtScn’ button on your keyboard. This can be found at the top of the keyboard, above the Insert, Home and Pg Up buttons.
- Lock your PC - If you’re moving away from your computer and don’t wish for any other persons to access your account, you can click the ‘Ctrl’, ‘Alt’ & ‘Delete’ buttons. You will need to click the option that shows ‘Lock’, although there are other options available.
- Full screen - If you wish to view your current screen in ‘full’ mode, you can click on the ‘F11’ key at the top of your keyboard. To escape the full screen, click on the ‘ESC’ button at the top left hand corner of your keyboard.
working with shortcuts on a macbook
- Copy text - Click and hold ‘Command’ and the letter ’C’.
- Copy all text - Click and hold ‘Command’ and the letter ‘A’.
- Paste text - Click and hold ‘Command’ and the letter ‘V’.
- Cut/remove text - Click and hold ‘Command’ and the letter ‘X’.
- Find/search for text/words - Click and hold ‘Command’ and the letter ‘F’.
- Opening file explorer - Select a file in a finder window, or on the desktop, and press and hold the ‘Command’ button together with the down ‘arrow’ key.
- Incognito mode - Click and hold ‘Shift’, ‘Command’ and the letter ‘N’.
- Undo your previous action - Click and hold ‘Command’ and the letter ‘Z’.
- Re-do your previous action - Click and hold ‘Shift’, ‘Command’ and the letter ‘Z’.
- Screenshot page - Click and hold ‘Shift’, ‘Command’ and the number ‘4’.
- Lock your PC - Click and hold ‘Control, Command and the letter ‘Q’.
- Full screen - Click and hold ‘Command’ and the letter ‘F’.
Whilst there are many other keyboard shortcuts out there, the above shortcuts are the most used/efficient and will dramatically change the way you use your computer to speed up what you’re doing. Not only are they handy to know, it saves fiddling with your mouse when trying to use your keyboard, and, you’ll be well on your way to impressing other beginners with your skills! Try it for yourself and see how you get on!
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