If I told you I knew a shortcut that would get you home in half the time of your usual route, would you be interested? It certainly would be. When you first followed my instructions, would the shortcut be as fast as I said? Probably not! It takes time to memorize and get used to shortcuts.

It’s the same with computer keyboard shortcuts. They may slow you down at first, but once you get used to them, they will make your text processing faster and help you avoid the physical stress and strains that reaching for your mouse can cause.

Most shortcuts involve the use of the CONTROL, alternative and Change keys. It is best to use the keys on the left side of your keyboard. It doesn’t matter in which order you press these keys and you don’t have to press them at the same time, just make sure you press the specified keys before you press the corresponding letter or number.

Here are some good shortcuts to get you started. These work in most programs, not just Word.

1. Open a new blank document – CTRL+N (N for NEW)

Make sure you have a Word document visible on your screen, and then press Ctrl + N. A new, blank document will open. In fact, this shortcut will open a new instance of whatever program you’re currently viewing on your screen. If nothing happens, you’re probably looking at your desktop and your computer doesn’t know what program you want a new instance of.

two. Select all text in a document – CTRL+A (A for ALL)

This will select all the content in a Word document, Excel spreadsheet, Outlook email, etc.

3. Copy selected text – CTRL+C (C for COPY)

The text you have selected will remain in your document, but a copy of it will be moved to the Clipboard.

Four. Cut selected text – CTRL+X (I think the X looks a bit like a pair of scissors)

The selected text will be removed from your document and moved to the Clipboard.

5. Paste selected text – Control+V

Whatever you cut or copied most recently will be pasted wherever your cursor is. If you want more control over what gets pasted, open your clipboard before you start copying or cutting content. If you need to change the format of the content you want to paste, you’re better off using the right-click menu, as this will give you paste options.

6. save your document – CTRL+G (S for Save)

If you have not yet saved the document, this shortcut will open the Save as dialog box.

7. print your document – CTRL+P (P to print)

I think that says it all.

8. Undo last action – CTRL+Z

If I could only have one shortcut, this would be it. You’d be surprised what CTRL+Z can undo!

Words of advice:

• Don’t bother trying to remember a shortcut that you’ll only use occasionally. If you have a photographic memory, go for it, but if you can only remember a finite number of things, focus on the ones you use regularly.
• Use them or lose them! The only way to work shortcuts into your regular routine is to use them, even if they slow you down a bit at first. The speed you gain in the long run will be worth it.