Learn essential Google Docs shortcuts to write and edit faster.
Improve workflow by reducing reliance on the mouse.
Save time daily with commands for formatting, navigation, and editing.
Google Docs is one of the most preferred writing tools among students, professionals, and bloggers. While users can select the drop-down menus and click on the various features available to utilize them, it can slow them down.
Keyboard shortcuts, on the other hand, offer a more efficient way to work by allowing writers to format and edit documents without lifting their hands off the keyboard. This guide lists some useful Google Docs Keyboard Shortcuts to help improve writing speed.
Reaching for the mouse when writing using the keyboard can interrupt the flow and frustrate writers. By remembering some Google Docs tips, users can focus on their content, save time, and make the writing experience smoother.
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Here are some well-known shortcuts that work for many programs, such as Microsoft Word, and are quite useful in Google Docs:
Copy: Ctrl + C (Cmd + C on Mac)
Paste: Ctrl + V (Cmd + V)
Cut: Ctrl + X (Cmd + X)
Undo: Ctrl + Z (Cmd + Z)
Redo: Ctrl + Y (Cmd + Shift + Z)
Presenting the text in a proper format is an essential part of writing, as it improves the readability of the content. Instead of going through menus, writers can use these:
Bold: Ctrl + B (Cmd + B)
Italic: Ctrl + I (Cmd + I)
Underline: Ctrl + U (Cmd + U)
Strikethrough: Alt + Shift + 5 (Cmd + Shift + X on Mac)
Insert link: Ctrl + K (Cmd + K)
Navigating lengthy documents or different sections of paragraphs using a mouse can be tedious. Users can use these shortcuts to save time when editing:
Move to start of line: Home (Fn + Left Arrow on Mac)
Move to end of line: End (Fn + Right Arrow on Mac)
Jump to next word: Ctrl + Right Arrow (Option + Right Arrow on Mac)
Jump to previous word: Ctrl + Left Arrow (Option + Left Arrow)
Go to start of document: Ctrl + Home (Cmd + Up Arrow on Mac)
Go to end of document: Ctrl + End (Cmd + Down Arrow)
Including lists, alignments, and bullet points can enhance the document's structure. Writers can utilize these Google Docs keyboard shortcuts:
Numbered list: Ctrl + Shift + 7 (Cmd + Shift + 7)
Bulleted list: Ctrl + Shift + 8 (Cmd + Shift + 8)
Align left: Ctrl + Shift + L (Cmd + Shift + L)
Align center: Ctrl + Shift + E (Cmd + Shift + E)
Align right: Ctrl + Shift + R (Cmd + Shift + R)
Also Read: How to Recover Unsaved or Deleted Google Docs Files
Working professionals who collaborate with different teams can use these shortcuts to write comments and more:
Insert comment: Ctrl + Alt + M (Cmd + Option + M)
Open dictionary: Ctrl + Shift + Y (Cmd + Shift + Y)
Word count: Ctrl + Shift + C (Cmd + Shift + C)
Insert page break: Ctrl + Enter (Cmd + Enter)
Search within document: Ctrl + F (Cmd + F)
Writers can use these tips to adjust to the keyboard shortcuts quickly:
Start small, learn a few shortcuts every day.
Write them down on a sticky note to remind you.
Practice while you're actually writing content.
Google Docs shortcuts are convenient tools that can save time, enhance efficiency, and improve the writing process. Using these shortcuts, one can spend less time navigating through menus and more time creating high-quality content. Whether for assignments or sales reports, mastering these shortcuts can significantly boost your productivity.
1. Q: What are the most basic Google Docs keyboard shortcuts?
A: Copy (Ctrl+C), Paste (Ctrl+V), Cut (Ctrl+X), Undo (Ctrl+Z), and Redo (Ctrl+Y).
2. Q: How can I quickly make text bold in Google Docs?
A: Use Ctrl+B on Windows or Cmd+B on Mac.
3. Q: Which shortcut opens the word count in Google Docs?
A: Press Ctrl+Shift+C on Windows or Cmd+Shift+C on Mac.
4. Q: What is the shortcut to insert a comment in Google Docs?
A: Use Ctrl+Alt+M on Windows or Cmd+Option+M on Mac.
5. Q: How do I create a bulleted list without using the mouse?
A: Press Ctrl+Shift+8 on Windows or Cmd+Shift+8 on Mac.
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