Considering what a lousy typist I am, I need all the help I can get when using my keyboard! That’s why I love a good keyboard shortcut! Mastering keyboard shortcuts significantly enhanced my productivity, and can do the same for you.
In the realm of keyboard layout and keyboard shortcuts, understanding the nuances can be a game-changer. Whether you’re working on Microsoft Windows, macOS or another operating system, these shortcuts can make a world of difference.
How Productivity Saves Time
The use of productivity tools like the FlyMSG text expander can be a game-changer in today’s fast-paced work environment. FlyMSG is a text expansion tool allows you to create custom abbreviations for frequently-used phrases, saving you valuable time and effort. Similarly, mastering the keyboard shortcut can significantly streamline your workflow. Whether it’s navigating through files or editing a document, the ability to perform tasks with just one word or a simple shortcut can greatly enhance your efficiency. Together, these tools and shortcuts not only save time but also allow you to focus on more important aspects of your work, thereby boosting overall productivity.
The Importance of Keyboard Layout
Having a solid understanding of the keyboard layout is essential for success in the digital age. Knowing where each key is located, from the space bar to the numeric keypad, can speed up your workflow. This is especially true when you’re working with file explorer or navigating through system preferences. (Which lets face it – keep changing!)
Common Keyboard Shortcuts
The difference between those who struggle with tasks and those who breeze through them often lies in their knowledge of common or popular keyboard shortcuts. For instance, CTRL shift and CTRL alt are often used for various key combos that can make your life easier. Need to open a new tab on your PC? Simply press CTRL along with the ‘T’ key. Want to switch to the previous tab on your PC? Use CTRL shift along with the tab switch command.
In Mac’s case, you want to change the CTRL key for the COMMAND key = Command (or Cmd), or this logo right here: ⌘
From navigating browser windows to managing your current document, shortcuts like left arrow and right arrow can be incredibly useful as well. If you’re looking to go back to the previous folder or next folder, simply use the arrow keys. For text editing, knowing how to forward delete or move to the next word or previous word can save you valuable time. (OMG- when I moved from a PC to a MAC that one almost killed me! I was ready to throw my Mac out the window!)
Windows-Specific Shortcuts
If you’re a MS Windows user, you’ll find that the start menu and window menu are easily accessible through the Windows key. Need to open a new window? Use new window CTRL + N. To manage your current window, window CTRL can be your best friend.
Advanced Shortcuts
For more advanced tasks like capturing a print screen or opening specific menu items, key combinations involving the alt key or CTRL key are your go-to options. For example, you can press the Print Screen (or PrtSc) button on your keyboard. To automatically save your screenshot to the Pictures folder on your computer, press the Windows + Print Screen buttons at the same time. You can even find keyboard shortcuts in the menu bar or through the address bar in your browser.
Mac Users, Don’t Feel Left Out
For Mac users, the command key is just as essential as CTRL shift is for Windows users. Whether you’re working with selected files or selected text, these shortcuts can be a lifesaver. It took me a while, but I finally figured that one out on my own. Doh!
Also, there is such a thing as a Text replacement on Mac, I recommend you get familiar with it too.
Beyond the Basics
Most keyboard shortcuts require a bit of practice, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them. Whether you’re working on a current line in a document, or navigating through open apps, these shortcuts can be your secret weapon for efficient computing.
Master Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows
Let’s dive a little deeper into the best keyboard shortcuts for PCs and MacOS:
As mentioned, the productivity of knowledge workers, business owners, sales reps, and leaders can be greatly enhanced by mastering the keyboard shortcut on your computer. These combinations enable you to execute numerous tasks without the need to move your hands off the keyboard – saving time and boosting efficiency.
Whether you’re navigating through Windows or any other OS, these shortcuts can be a game-changer for your workflow.
Keyboard shortcuts like CTRL shift and CTRL alt are essential key combinations that can expedite a multitude of tasks. For instance, using CTRL shift in conjunction with other keys can help you switch to a previous tab or even a previous control in a document. On the other hand, CTRL alt can be used to access the system preferences or even the start menu, allowing you to make quick changes without navigating through multiple windows or menus.
Navigating through browser windows or your current document becomes a breeze with shortcuts like the left arrow to go back or the right arrow to move forward. These shortcuts are especially useful when you’re working with multiple tabs or documents, enabling you to switch from one to another seamlessly.
Advanced shortcuts, such as those involving the alt key or the Windows key, can be used for specific tasks like capturing a print screen or opening a new browser window. These shortcuts eliminate the need to search through menu items or use your mouse, thereby saving you valuable time.
For those who work extensively with text, knowing how to move to the next word or the previous word, or even how to forward delete, can make text editing significantly more efficient. These shortcuts can also be applied to selected text or even selected files, making it easier to manage your work.
Moreover, keyboard shortcuts require a bit of practice, but the payoff is immense. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll find yourself executing tasks at a much faster pace, whether it’s opening new tabs, managing your current tab, or even performing tasks like opening your task manager with a simple key combination.
Switching between open windows or different applications is often a substantial part of any professional’s day. Knowing how to use the ‘Windows key’ effectively will help streamline this process.
A handy shortcut such as Windows Key + D minimizes all active windows, revealing your desktop instantly. To switch among open programs swiftly, press down Alt + Tab. This command lets you cycle through all currently running applications until you locate what you’re searching for.
How to Find Files Faster: Search Bar Shortcuts in Action
If locating specific files or software forms part of your daily routine, then search bar find keyboard shortcuts are just what’s needed. The search bar within Windows 10 offers an efficient way to do this, especially when paired with some useful keyboard commands.
To quickly access the search bar from anywhere in Windows 10, simply hit Window Key + S. Once the address bar it opens up, type whatever file name or application that needs finding, followed by pressing enter.
How Can I Elevate My Text Editing Skills: Microsoft Word Commands Unveiled
In case text editing constitutes a large portion of your workday, like many marketers and sales representatives, learning a few simple Microsoft Word shortcuts could save a significant amount of time. For instance, selecting text (hold shift while using arrow keys), copying selected text content (hold Ctrl+C), and pasting copied material (hold Ctrl+V).
Beyond these basics, though, there exist other less known but equally helpful commands like holding Ctrl+Shift+Left/Right Arrow, which selects words one at a time rather than characters, making selection quicker and more precise.
Keyboard Shortcuts for Mac – 3 Tips
The keyboard shortcuts on a Mac, much like those on a Windows computer, can significantly streamline your workflow, making you more efficient and productive. Whether you’re working with the keyboard layout on MS Windows or navigating through a browser window on a Mac, these shortcuts are indispensable tools for modern computing.
For those who frequently work with text, knowing how to move to the next word or the previous word can be a game-changer. The ability to forward delete or even manipulate selected text can make text editing significantly more efficient. These shortcuts can also be applied to selected files, making it easier to manage your work.
1. Leveraging The Command Key
A fundamental element in most of these shortcuts is the Command key. This powerful tool lies next to your space bar and holds numerous possibilities when combined with other keys.
An example would be holding down Command + A (⌘A), which selects all text within an active window – perfect for copy-pasting large chunks of text and therefore be able to automate data entry quickly.
Moving between open applications or browser tabs has never been easier thanks to simple Google Chrome keyboard shortcuts like Command + Tab (⌘Tab). With this shortcut, switching between apps in a new browser window becomes as easy as pressing two buttons together.
If you ever need to find a specific word, phrase, document, or webpage, then look no further than the ‘Find’ function, easily accessible via holding Command + F (⌘F) – it opens a search box where you can type what you’re looking for and immediately highlights instances throughout the current page/document. Continue pressing enter to scroll through the results until you locate the desired piece of information – it couldn’t be simpler.
3. Closing Applications and Hiding Google Chrome Fast
Sometimes having many applications running simultaneously can slow down computer performance and make work difficult to manage. However, there’s a solution at hand: Hold Command + Q (⌘Q) to instantly quit an app completely, rather than just minimizing it by clicking the red ‘x’ button. Google Chrome users often want to hide their current session temporarily to reclaim screen real estate without closing everything entirely – they simply use Command + H (⌘H), which hides the view while keeping it intact and ready whenever required again.
Remember, learning new habits takes practice, so don’t worry if you feel overwhelmed at the start – all good things come to those who wait and persevere.
Keyboard Shortcuts for the Start Menu and Taskbar
The power of a keyboard shortcut in navigating your Windows 10 device is often underestimated. By using a few easy commands, you can quickly open windows, search through files, or manage tasks without difficulty.
Utilizing The Power Of The Windows Key
To access the start or system menu quickly without reaching out to your mouse every time, simply press the Windows key. This opens up an array of applications installed on your system along with other important settings such as power options and system configurations. To find any specific application or file from this list, just type its name after pressing the Windows key.
- To switch between active windows, use the combination “Alt + Tab“. Hold down Alt while tapping Tab until you reach the desired window, then release both keys.
- “Windows Key + Tab” allows navigation through items in Task View, a feature that displays all currently active windows.
Pressing ‘Windows Key+Up/Down Arrow‘ and ‘Windows Key+Left/Right Arrow‘ allows for scrolling through apps and files in the start or system menu, as well as quick switching between right-side tiles window menu and left-side app list.
Unleash the power of your keyboard. Navigate Windows 10 like a pro with most keyboard shortcuts: Open windows, search files & manage tasks. Boost productivity today. #TechTips #ProductivityHack via @FGSocialMedia89 Click To TweetUnlocking the Power of Keyboard Shortcuts for Screenshots
Screenshots are a fundamental part of our digital lives, aiding in conveying information efficiently and effectively. Mastering keyboard shortcuts to capture these can significantly boost your productivity. Whether you’re using Microsoft Windows or another OS, knowing the right key combination for screenshots is crucial.
A Glimpse into Windows Screenshot Shortcuts
In the realm of Windows operating systems, taking screenshots is as simple as pressing Print Screen (PrtScn). This action captures an image of your entire screen and copies it onto your clipboard, ready to be pasted into any application like Microsoft Word or Paint. If you’re working on a document, the document CTRL shortcut can be useful for pasting the screenshot quickly.
If you wish to focus on capturing only the active window instead, hold down Alt + PrtScn. This shortcut will exclude overlapping windows or applications running in the background from being captured. For more advanced tasks, like capturing a selected file or a specific menu item, you can use other shortcuts like window CTRL or cursor CTRL.
The magic doesn’t stop there. For users with Windows 10 specifically at their disposal, consider using this combination: Windows Key + Shift + S, which brings up a snipping tool that allows you precise control over what portion of your screen gets immortalized within an image file. This is especially useful when you’re working with multiple browser windows or need to capture a specific part of your current page.
Fear not if you’re more inclined towards Apple products; macOS has its own unique set of screenshots and keyboard shortcuts. To take a snapshot covering every pixel currently displayed across all monitors, press Command+Shift+4. For Mac users who are familiar with the command i shortcut for other tasks, you’ll find that Mac’s screenshot shortcuts are just as intuitive.
Taking Timely Screenshots On Both Platforms
This timed approach comes in handy when certain visual elements appear momentarily, requiring user interaction before they display correctly. On Windows, you can navigate to Start type “Snip & Sketch,” press Enter, click the New Dropdown Arrow, and then select Delay Time. This sequence utilizes the power of the start or main menu and the efficiency of keyboard shortcuts to make your task easier.
Macs have similar functionality built-in through the Grab utility, accessible via Spotlight Search by typing ‘Grab’ and then selecting the appropriate option. Whether you’re looking to capture the current line of text or an entire browser window, Mac’s Grab Screenshot utility and keyboard shortcuts offer a comprehensive solution.
Taking Timely Screenshots On Both Platforms
- This timed approach comes in handy when certain visual elements appear momentarily, requiring user interaction before they display correctly:
- In the case where one uses the Window 10 Snip & Sketch tool, it could be useful by following this sequence: Open Start Menu > Type “Snip & Sketch” > Press Enter > Click New Dropdown Arrow > Select Delay Time.
- Macs have similar functionality built-in through the Grab utility, accessible via Spotlight Search by typing ‘Grab’ and then selecting
Navigating between multiple tabs in your web browser can be a time-consuming task. But with the right keyboard shortcuts, you can save significant amounts of time and enhance productivity. You may also consider the use of browser automation tools in order to supercharge your browsing experience.
The Essential Keyboard Shortcuts for Tabs
Whether on a Mac or Windows machine, these common tab-related keyboard shortcuts will make browsing more efficient:
- New Tab Creation: Hold Control + T (Windows) or Command + T (Mac) to open up a new browser tab.
- Closing Current Tab: Quickly close an active tab by holding Control + W (Windows) or Command + W (Mac).
- Moving Between Tabs: Use Ctrl/Command along with the left/right arrow keys to navigate through open tabs. Alternatively, use Ctrl+Tab/Ctrl+Shift+Tab or Cmd+Option+(right/left) Arrow Key on both systems.
How to Find Content Within Opened Tabs Efficiently
If there’s specific content that needs locating within an opened tab, but it’s not immediately apparent where it is – don’t worry. There are handy keyboard shortcuts available just for this purpose.
In Google Chrome specifically: hold the Ctrl/Command key then press F which opens up the find bar. Type what you’re searching into this search bar and hit enter; The page will scroll directly to any instances of the searched text within your active browser window itself, making navigation faster than ever before.
Accidentally closing needed tabs, wanting to revisit previously viewed pages without tedious clicking? Here are a couple of useful shortcut tips:
- Reopen Last Closed Tab: Pressing CTRL/COMMAND plus SHIFT plus T reopens the recently closed tab. Sequential operation means if pressed again, it opens the second last and so forth.
- Browsing history: Holding down the ALT/OPTION key combined with the Left/Right arrows allows backward and forward respectively through visited sites.
What is the Best Dialog Box Keyboard Shortcut?
The dialog box is a ubiquitous feature in software applications, serving as the interface for data input and command execution. It looks like a “chat” box, or “simple text” box on the website you are on. Mastering keyboard shortcuts can dramatically enhance your interaction with these boxes.
A common keyboard shortcut across many applications involves using the Tab key. When engaged with a dialog box, pressing the Tab key allows you to sequentially move from one field or button to another, reducing reliance on mouse clicks and boosting productivity during form completion or settings adjustment.
To navigate fields in reverse order, hold Shift while pressing Tab (Hold Shift + Tab). This action takes you back through previously selected options.
Selecting Options via Arrow Keys
Beyond shifting between fields with Tab, arrow keys serve an important function within drop-down menus found in dialog boxes. Pressing the down arrow key opens up dropdowns and scrolls through available menu items and choices without requiring any mouse intervention.
You can select an option from this list by simply hitting Enter once your preferred choice has been highlighted after scrolling using arrow keys (Press Enter).
Saving Changes Swiftly With The Enter Key
The Enter key serves more than just selection purposes; it also plays a crucial role when saving changes made within dialog boxes. After entering all necessary information into a form or adjusting settings appropriately, striking Enter typically submits those modifications, acting much like clicking “OK” or “Submit”.
Closing Dialog Boxes Instantaneously With Escape Key
In instances where we inadvertently open a dialogue box or decide against making adjustments midway through the process, the Escape (Esc) key comes in handy. Striking Esc closes most active windows swiftly without applying unsaved changes.
- Holding Control + Shift: This combination often triggers specific functions depending upon the application being used. For instance, in Microsoft Word, holding Control+Shift along with arrows selects text word-by-word rather than character-by-character.
- Finding Specific Text: If looking for a particular term inside a lengthy document/webpage, hold Command+F (Mac)/Control+F (Windows) to bring up the find bar.
3 Helpful File Explorer Shortcuts
The File Explorer is a necessary tool for taking care of your PC files and folders. Keyboard shortcuts can simplify file management, allowing you to quickly access directories, documents, and other items on your computer or device.
Keyboard shortcuts provide a swift way of navigating through the labyrinth of directories in Windows 10. To launch the File Explorer without any delay, use the Windows key + E shortcut.
Moving around within this environment becomes more efficient when using Arrow keys to highlight individual items in view. If you need to ascend one level from where you currently are, just hold the Alt key while pressing the Up arrow.
2. Selecting Files & Folders Effortlessly
Selecting multiple files or folders simultaneously doesn’t have to be tedious anymore. By holding Shift while utilizing the Arrow keys, you can extend the selection towards that direction, thereby saving precious time spent otherwise clicking each item or selected folder individually. Microsoft’s official guide explains how these common commands used across various applications like Microsoft Word enhance productivity by reducing dependency on mouse clicks substantially.
3. Taking Actions on Selected Items Quickly
Copied content (Control or Command C) needs to be pasted somewhere else, right? Hold Ctrl or Command key and then press V; it’s as simple as that. These general-purpose keyboard combinations work universally, including web browser address bars, search bar fields, etc., besides native Windows and Mac apps such as the MS Office suite programs, making them extremely versatile indeed.
Miscellaneous Yet Useful Commands
Apart from the above-discussed navigation and selection-related tasks, there exist several others that come in handy under specific circumstances. For example, toggling full-screen mode (F11) during presentations ensures maximum screen real estate utilization, minus distractions caused due to extra menus/bars visible normally along edges under non-full screen modes.
Another useful command worth mentioning here would be refreshing active window contents, instantly reflecting the most recent changes made. Simply press F5 (Refresh) on your Keyboard.
FAQs in Relation to Keyboard Shortcuts
What is the importance of keyboard shortcuts?
Keyboard shortcuts boost productivity by reducing the time spent on repetitive tasks. They allow for quicker navigation and execution of commands, enhancing efficiency.
Are keyboard shortcuts worth learning?
Absolutely! Mastering keyboard shortcuts can drastically cut down your work time, making you more efficient and effective in your tasks.
What is the basic concept of keyboard shortcuts?
The basic concept involves using specific key combos to perform certain actions or commands instead of navigating through menus with a mouse.
What can keyboard shortcuts do?
Keyboard shortcuts can execute various functions like opening programs, saving files, copying text, switching between tabs or windows, and much more instantly.
Conclusion
In summary, these common shortcuts are not just time savers but also enhance the overall user experience by providing quick access to various functions without having to navigate through multiple menus or windows. So the next time you find yourself reaching for your mouse to perform a simple task, remember to hold alt or use another shortcut instead. Your productivity will thank you.
Mastering keyboard shortcuts is a game-changer:
- You’ve learned how they can make your work on Windows and Mac faster and more efficient.
- Browsing in Chrome has never been easier with the shortcuts you now know.
- Navigating through the Start Menu, Task Bar, or tabs doesn’t have to be time-consuming anymore.
- Capturing screenshots? You’ve got it covered!
- Dialog boxes and File Explorer are no longer daunting tasks thanks to these handy tips.
Now that you’re equipped with this knowledge of keyboard shortcuts, why not take your productivity skills further? At Vengreso, we aim to help knowledge workers like yourself save even more on productivity, with FlyMSG, our text expander and writing assistant. Dive deeper into our resources today – who knows what other efficiency-boosting tricks await you!
