Keyboard shortcuts for Word

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The shortcut keys described in this Help topic refer to the U.S. keyboard layout. Keys on
other layouts may not correspond exactly to the keys on a U.S. keyboard.
For keyboard shortcuts in which you press two or more keys simultaneously, the keys to
press are separated by a plus sign (+) in Microsoft Word Help. For keyboard shortcuts in
which you press one key immediately followed by another key, the keys to press are
separated by a comma (,).
To print this topic, press TAB to select Show All, press ENTER, and then press CTRL+P.
Help task pane and Help window
Using the Help task pane and Help window
The Help task pane provides access to all Office Help content and appears as part of
Microsoft Word. The Help window displays topics and other Help content and appears as a
window next to, but separate from, Word.
In the Help task pane
To do this Press
Display the Help task pane. F1
Switch between the Help task pane and Word. F6
Select the next item in the Help task pane. TAB
Select the previous item in the Help task pane. SHIFT+TAB
Perform the action for the selected item. ENTER
In a table of contents, select the next and previous item, DOWN ARROW and UP
respectively. ARROW
In a table of contents, expand and collapse the selected RIGHT ARROW and LEFT
item, respectively. ARROW
Move back to the previous task pane. ALT+LEFT ARROW
Move forward to the next task pane. ALT+RIGHT ARROW
Open the menu of task panes. CTRL+SPACEBAR
Close and reopen the current task pane. CTRL+F1
Expand a +/- list. RIGHT ARROW
Collapse a +/- list. LEFT ARROW
In the Help window
To do this Press
Select the next hidden text or hyperlink, or Show All or Hide All at TAB
the top of a topic.
Select the previous hidden text or hyperlink, or the Browser View SHIFT+TAB
button at the top of a Microsoft Office Web site article.
Perform the action for the selected Show All, Hide All, hidden text, ENTER
or hyperlink.
Move back to the previous Help topic. ALT+LEFT ARROW
Move forward to the next Help topic. ALT+RIGHT ARROW
 Print the current Help topic. CONTROL+P
Scroll small amounts up and down, respectively, within the UP ARROW AND
currently displayed Help topic. DOWN ARROW
Scroll larger amounts up and down, respectively, within the PAGE UP AND PAGE
currently displayed Help topic. DOWN
Change the Help window from being separate from (untiled) to ALT+U
connected to (tiled) Word.
Display a menu of commands for the Help window; requires that SHIFT+F10
the Help window have active focus (click an item in the Help
window).
Menus, toolbars, task panes, and dialog boxes
Access and use menus and toolbars
To do this Press
Select the menu bar (menu bar: The horizontal bar below the title F10 or ALT
bar that contains the names of menus. A menu bar can be the
built-in menu bar or a custom menu bar.), or close an open menu
and submenu at the same time.
Select a task pane or toolbar after pressing F10 or ALT to select CTRL+TAB or
the menu bar. Pressing the keys repeatedly moves the focus CTRL+SHIFT+TAB
among the open toolbars, menu bars, and task pane.
When a toolbar (toolbar: A bar with buttons and options that you TAB or SHIFT+TAB
use to carry out commands. To display a toolbar, press ALT and
then SHIFT+F10.) or menu bar is selected, select the next or
previous button or menu.
Open the selected menu, or perform the action for the selected ENTER
button or command.
Display the shortcut menu (shortcut menu: A menu that shows a SHIFT+F10
list of commands relevant to a particular item. To display a
shortcut menu, right-click an item or press SHIFT+F10.) for the
selected item.
Display the title bar shortcut menu. ALT+SPACEBAR
When a menu or submenu (submenu: A menu that appears when DOWN ARROW or UP
a user points to a command on a higher-level menu.) is open, ARROW
select the next or previous command.
Select the menu to the left or right. When a submenu is open, LEFT ARROW or
switch between the main menu and the submenu. RIGHT ARROW
Select the first or last command on the menu or submenu. HOME or END
Close an open menu. When a submenu is open, close only the ESC
submenu.
Open the selected menu. SHIFT+DOWN ARROW
When a shortened menu is open, display the full set of CTRL+DOWN ARROW
commands.
Add a toolbar button to a menu. When you type this shortcut key ALT+CTRL+= (equal
and then click a toolbar button, Microsoft Word adds the button to sign)
 the appropriate menu. For example, click Bullets on the
Formatting toolbar to add the Bullets command to the Format
menu.
Remove a command from a menu. When you type this shortcut ALT+CTRL+- (dash key)
key and then select a menu command, the command is
removed. You can add the menu command back to the menu if
you change your mind.
Customize the shortcut key for a menu command. When you ALT+CTRL++ (plus key
type this shortcut key and then select a menu command, the on numeric keypad)
Customize Keyboard dialog box opens so you can add, change,
or remove the shortcut key.
Note You can use the keyboard to select any menu command on the menu bar. Press ALT
to select the menu bar. Press the letter that is underlined in the menu name that contains the
command you want. In the menu that appears, press the letter underlined in the command
name that you want.
Access and use task panes
To do this Press
Open the task pane or hide the current CTRL+F1
task pane.
Move to a task pane (task pane: A F6
window within an Office program that Note If pressing F6 doesn't display the task
provides commonly used commands. Its pane you want, try pressing ALT to place focus
location and small size allow you to use on the menu bar, and then pressing CTRL+TAB
these commands while still working on to move to the task pane. In addition, if you open
your files.) from another pane in the a dialog box from the Reveal Formatting task
program window. (You may need to pane, the focus may be in your document after
press F6 more than once.) you close the dialog box, rather than in the task
pane. You can use F6 or CTRL+TAB to return to
the task pane.
When a menu or toolbar (toolbar: A bar CTRL+TAB
with buttons and options that you use to
carry out commands. To display a
toolbar, press ALT and then
SHIFT+F10.) is active, move to a task
pane. (You may need to press
CTRL+TAB more than once.)
Open the menu of task panes. CTRL+SPACEBAR
Go to the Getting Started task pane. ALT+HOME
Reverse the sequence of task panes ALT+LEFT ARROW
you opened.
Repeat the sequence of task panes you ALT+RIGHT ARROW
opened.
Close a menu if one is currently open, ESC
or go back to the document.
When a task pane is active, select the TAB or SHIFT+TAB
next or previous option in the task pane.
Move among choices in a selected DOWN ARROW or UP ARROW
 submenu; move among certain options
in a group of options.
Open the selected menu, or perform the SPACEBAR or ENTER
action assigned to the selected button.
Open a shortcut menu (shortcut menu: SHIFT+F10
A menu that shows a list of commands
relevant to a particular item. To display a
shortcut menu, right-click an item or
press SHIFT+F10.) in a document; open
a drop-down menu for the selected
gallery item.
When a menu or submenu is visible, HOME or END
select the first or last command on the
menu or submenu.
Scroll up or down in the selected gallery PAGE UP or PAGE DOWN
list.
Expand or collapse a collapsible item in CTRL+RIGHT ARROW or CTRL+LEFT ARROW
the gallery list.
Move to the top or bottom of the CTRL+HOME or CTRL+END
selected gallery list.
Resize and move toolbars, menus, and task panes
Press ALT to select the menu bar (menu bar: The horizontal bar below the title bar that
contains the names of menus. A menu bar can be the built-in menu bar or a custom menu
bar.).
Press CTRL+TAB repeatedly to select a toolbar (toolbar: A bar with buttons and options that
you use to carry out commands. To display a toolbar, press ALT and then SHIFT+F10.) or the
task pane (task pane: A window within an Office program that provides commonly used
commands. Its location and small size allow you to use these commands while still working
on your files.).
Do one of the following:
Resize a toolbar
In the toolbar, press CTRL+SPACEBAR to display the Toolbar Options menu.
Select the Size command, and then press ENTER.
Use the arrow keys to resize the toolbar. Press CTRL+ the arrow keys to resize one pixel at
a time.
Move a toolbar
In the toolbar, press CTRL+SPACEBAR to display the Toolbar Options menu.
Select the Move command, and then press ENTER.
Use the arrow keys to position the toolbar. Press CTRL+ the arrow keys to move one pixel at
a time. To undock the toolbar, press DOWN ARROW repeatedly. To dock the toolbar
vertically on the left or right side, press LEFT ARROW or RIGHT ARROW respectively when
the toolbar is all the way to the left or right side.
Resize a task pane
In the task pane, press CTRL+SPACEBAR to display a menu of additional commands.
Use the DOWN ARROW key to select the Size command, and then press ENTER.
Use the arrow keys to resize the task pane. Use CTRL+ the arrow keys to resize by one pixel
at a time.
Move a task pane
In the task pane, press CTRL+SPACEBAR to display a menu of additional commands.
Use the DOWN ARROW key to select the Move command, and then press ENTER.
Use the arrow keys to position the task pane. Use CTRL+ the arrow keys to move one pixel
at a time.
Note If you move the task pane up into the toolbars or down into the status bar, the pane
attaches itself to the bars and reorients itself horizontally. To return the task pane to its
vertical position, use the arrow keys to move it away from the bars.
When you are finished moving or resizing, press ESC or ENTER.
Use dialog boxes
To do this Press
Move from an open dialog box back to the document for ALT+F6
dialog boxes such as Find and Replace that support this
behavior.
Move to the next option or option group. TAB
Move to the previous option or option group. SHIFT+TAB
Switch to the next tab in a dialog box. CTRL+TAB
Switch to the previous tab in a dialog box. CTRL+SHIFT+TAB
Move between options in an open drop-down list, or Arrow keys
between options in a group of options.
Perform the action assigned to the selected button; check or SPACEBAR
clear the selected check box.
Open the list if it is closed and move to that option in the list. First letter of an option in a
drop-down list
Select an option; select or clear a check box. ALT+ the letter underlined in
an option
Open a selected drop-down list. ALT+DOWN ARROW
Close a selected drop-down list; cancel a command and ESC
close a dialog box.
Run the selected command. ENTER
Use edit boxes within dialog boxes
An edit box is a blank in which you type or paste an entry, such as your user name or the
path (path: The route that the operating system uses to locate a folder or file; for example,
C:\House finances\March.doc.) to a folder.
To do this Press
Move to the beginning of the entry. HOME
Move to the end of the entry. END
Move one character to the left or right. LEFT ARROW or RIGHT
ARROW
Move one word to the left. CTRL+LEFT ARROW
Move one word to the right. CTRL+RIGHT ARROW
Select or unselect one character to the left. SHIFT+LEFT ARROW
Select or unselect one character to the right. SHIFT+RIGHT ARROW
Select or unselect one word to the left. CTRL+SHIFT+LEFT ARROW
Select or unselect one word to the right. CTRL+SHIFT+RIGHT ARROW
Select from the insertion point to the beginning of the SHIFT+HOME
 entry.
Select from the insertion point to the end of the entry. SHIFT+END
Use the Open, Save As, and Insert Picture dialog boxes
To do this Press
Display the Open dialog box. CTRL+F12
Display the Save As dialog box. F12
ALT+1
Go to the previous folder ( ).
ALT+2
Open the folder up one level from the open folder (Up One Level button
).
Close the dialog box and open your World Wide Web (World Wide Web ALT+3
(WWW): The multimedia branch of the Internet that presents not only text,
but also graphics, sound, and video. On the Web, users can easily jump
from item to item, page to page, or site to site by using hyperlinks.) search
page (Search the Web button ).
ALT+4
Delete the selected folder or file (Delete button ).
ALT+5
Create a new subfolder in the open folder (Create New Folder button ).
Switch between List, Details, Properties, Preview Thumbnails, Tiles, and ALT+6
Icons views (click the arrow next to Views ).
Show the Tools menu (Tools button). ALT+7 or
ALT+L
Display a shortcut menu (shortcut menu: A menu that shows a list of SHIFT+F10
commands relevant to a particular item. To display a shortcut menu, right-
click an item or press SHIFT+F10.) for a selected item such as a folder or
file.
Move between options or areas in the dialog box. TAB
Open the Look in or Save in list. F4 or ALT+I
Update the files visible in the Open or Save As dialog box (File menu). F5
Quick reference
Common tasks done in a Microsoft Word document
To do this Press
Create a nonbreaking space. CTRL+SHIFT+SPACEBAR
Create a nonbreaking hyphen. CTRL+HYPHEN
Make letters bold. CTRL+B
Make letters italic. CTRL+I
Make letters underline. CTRL+U
Decrease font size. CTRL+SHIFT+<
Increase font size. CTRL+SHIFT+>
Remove paragraph or character formatting. CTRL+SPACEBAR
 Copy the selected text or object. CTRL+C
Cut the selected text or object. CTRL+X
Paste text or an object. CTRL+V
Undo the last action. CTRL+Z
Redo the last action. CTRL+Y
Language bar
Speech and handwriting recognition
To do this Press
Switch between languages or keyboard layouts. Left ALT+SHIFT
Switch microphone on or off.
+V
Switch between Voice Command mode and Dictation mode.
+T
Display a list of correction alternatives.
+C
Turn handwriting on or off.
+H
Turn Japanese Input Method Editor (IME) (IME: A program that enters ALT+~
East Asian text (Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Japanese,
or Korean) into programs by converting keystrokes into complex East
Asian characters. The IME is treated as an alternate type of keyboard
layout.) on 101 keyboard on or off.
Turn Korean IME on 101 keyboard on or off. Right ALT
Turn Chinese IME on 101 keyboard on or off. CTRL+SPACEBAR
Notes
You can set the key combination for switching between languages or keyboard layouts in the
Advanced Key Setting dialog box. To open the Advanced Key Setting dialog box, right-click
the Language bar, and then click Settings. Under Preferences, click Key Settings.
The Windows logo key ( ) is available on the bottom row of keys on most keyboards.
E-mail
Sending e-mail messages
Use the following keys (if you are e-mailing a document or a message) when the insertion
point is in the e-mail header. To move the insertion point into the e-mail header, press
SHIFT+TAB.
To do this Press
Send the active document (active document: The document in which ALT+S
you're working. Text you type or graphics you insert in Microsoft Word
appear in the active document. The title bar of the active document is
highlighted.) or message.
Open the Address Book. CTRL+SHIFT+B
When the insertion point is in the message header, check the names on ALT+K, CTRL+K
the To, Cc, and Bcc lines against the Address Book.
Open the Address Book in the To field. ALT+. (period)
When the insertion point is in the message header, open the Address ALT+C
Book in the Cc field.
 If the Bcc field is visible, open the Address Book in the Bcc field. To ALT+B
display the Bcc field, open the Address Book for any field, and insert or
type a name in the Bcc box.
Go to the Subject field. ALT+J
Open the Microsoft Outlook Message Options dialog box. ALT+P
Create a message flag. CTRL+SHIFT+G
When the insertion point is in the message header, move to the next box TAB
in the e-mail header. When the last box in the e-mail header is active,
TAB moves the insertion point to the body of the document or message.
Select the previous field or button in the e-mail header. SHIFT+TAB
When the insertion point is in the message header, select the Send CTRL+TAB
button. You can then use the arrow keys to move to the other buttons. To
perform the action for the selected button or command, press ENTER.
Working with documents and Web pages
Create, view, and save documents
To do this Press
Create a new document of the same type as the current or most recent CTRL+N
document.
Open a document. CTRL+O
Close a document. CTRL+W
Split the document window. ALT+CTRL+S
Remove the document window split. ALT+SHIFT+C
Save a document. CTRL+S
Find, replace, and browse through text
To do this Press
Find text, formatting, and special items. CTRL+F
Repeat find (after closing Find and Replace window). ALT+CTRL+Y
Replace text, specific formatting, and special items. CTRL+H
Go to a page, bookmark, footnote, table, comment, graphic, or other CTRL+G
location.
Switch between documents or sections of a document, and between ALT+CTRL+Z
a document and an open e-mail message if you use Word as your e-
mail editor.
Open a list of browse options; use the arrow keys to select an option, ALT+CTRL+HOME
and then press ENTER to browse through a document by using the
selected option.
Undo and redo actions
To do this Press
Cancel an action. ESC
Undo an action. CTRL+Z
Redo or repeat an action. CTRL+Y
 Switch to another view
To do this Press
Switch to print layout view (Print Layout view: A view of a document or ALT+CTRL+P
other object as it will appear when you print it. For example, items such as
headers, footnotes, columns, and text boxes appear in their actual
positions.).
Switch to outline view (outline view: A view that shows the headings of a ALT+CTRL+O
document indented to represent their level in the document's structure. You
can also use outline view to work with master documents.).
Switch to normal view (normal view: A view that shows text formatting and ALT+CTRL+N
a simplified page layout. Normal view is convenient for most editing and
formatting tasks.).
Switch to Reading View. ALT+R
Expand or collapse subdocuments in a master document. CTRL+\
Outline view
In outline view, press
To do this Press
Promote a paragraph. ALT+SHIFT+LEFT ARROW
Demote a paragraph. ALT+SHIFT+RIGHT ARROW
Demote to body text. CTRL+SHIFT+N
Move selected paragraphs up. ALT+SHIFT+UP ARROW
Move selected paragraphs down. ALT+SHIFT+DOWN ARROW
Expand text under a heading. ALT+SHIFT+PLUS SIGN
Collapse text under a heading. ALT+SHIFT+MINUS SIGN
Expand or collapse all text or headings. ALT+SHIFT+A
Hide or display character formatting. The slash (/) key on the numeric keypad
Show the first line of body text or all body text. ALT+SHIFT+L
Show all headings with the Heading 1 style. ALT+SHIFT+1
Show all headings up to Heading n. ALT+SHIFT+n
Insert a tab character. CTRL+TAB
Printing and previewing documents
To do this Press
Print a document. CTRL+P
Switch in or out of print preview (print preview: A view of a ALT+CTRL+I
document as it will appear when you print it.).
Move around the preview page when zoomed in. Arrow keys
Move by one preview page when zoomed out. PAGE UP or PAGE
DOWN
Move to the first preview page when zoomed out. CTRL+HOME
Move to the last preview page when zoomed out. CTRL+END
 Reviewing documents
To do this Press
Insert a comment (comment: A note or annotation that an author or ALT+CTRL+M
reviewer adds to a document. Microsoft Word displays the comment in a
balloon in the margin of the document or in the Reviewing Pane.).
Turn track changes (tracked change: A mark that shows where a CTRL+SHIFT+E
deletion, insertion, or other editing change has been made in a
document.) on or off.
Close the Reviewing Pane if it is open. ALT+SHIFT+C
Reading layout view
To do this Press
Go to beginning of document. HOME
Go to end of document. END
Go to page number. Number, then ENTER
Increase the size of selected text by one point. CTRL+]
Decrease the size of selected text by one point. CTRL+[
Exit reading layout view. ESC
References, footnotes, and endnotes
To do this Press
Mark a table of contents entry. ALT+SHIFT+O
Mark a table of authorities entry (citation). ALT+SHIFT+I
Mark an index entry. ALT+SHIFT+X
Insert a footnote. ALT+CTRL+F
Insert an endnote. ALT+CTRL+D
Working with Web pages
To do this Press
Insert a hyperlink (hyperlink: Colored and underlined text or a graphic that CTRL+K
you click to go to a file, a location in a file, a Web page on the World Wide
Web, or a Web page on an intranet. Hyperlinks can also go to newsgroups
and to Gopher, Telnet, and FTP sites.).
Go back one page. ALT+LEFT
ARROW
Go forward one page. ALT+RIGHT
ARROW
Refresh. F9
Note To use keys to go back or forward one page or to refresh a page, the Web toolbar
must be showing. If the Web toolbar is not showing, press ALT, press V, press T, use the
arrow keys to select Web, and then press ENTER.
Editing and moving text and graphics
Delete text and graphics
To do this Press
Delete one character to the left. BACKSPACE
Delete one word to the left. CTRL+BACKSPACE
Delete one character to the right. DELETE
Delete one word to the right. CTRL+DELETE
Cut selected text to the Office Clipboard. CTRL+X
Undo the last action. CTRL+Z
Cut to the Spike (Spike: A special AutoText entry that stores multiple CTRL+F3
deletions. Microsoft Word appends one item to another until you
paste the contents as a group in a new location in your document.
You can also use the Microsoft Office Clipboard to get the same
result.).
Copy and move text and graphics
To do this Press
Copy text or graphics. CTRL+C
Display the Office Clipboard. CTRL+C, CTRL+C
Move text or graphics. F2 (then move the
insertion point and
press ENTER)
Create AutoText (AutoText: A storage location for text or graphics ALT+F3
you want to use again, such as a standard contract clause or a
long distribution list. Each selection of text or graphics is recorded
as an AutoText entry and is assigned a unique name.).
Paste the Office Clipboard contents. CTRL+V
Paste the Spike (Spike: A special AutoText entry that stores CTRL+SHIFT+F3
multiple deletions. Microsoft Word appends one item to another
until you paste the contents as a group in a new location in your
document. You can also use the Microsoft Office Clipboard to get
the same result.) contents.
Copy the header or footer used in the previous section of the ALT+SHIFT+R
document.
Insert special characters
To do this Press
A field CTRL+F9
An AutoText (AutoText: A storage location for text ENTER (after typing the first few
or graphics you want to use again, such as a characters of the AutoText entry name
standard contract clause or a long distribution list. and when the ScreenTip appears)
Each selection of text or graphics is recorded as an
AutoText entry and is assigned a unique name.)
entry
A line break SHIFT+ENTER
A page break CTRL+ENTER
A section break CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER
An em dash ALT+CTRL+MINUS SIGN
An en dash CTRL+MINUS SIGN
 An optional hyphen CTRL+HYPHEN
A nonbreaking hyphen CTRL+SHIFT+HYPHEN
A nonbreaking space CTRL+SHIFT+SPACEBAR
The copyright symbol ALT+CTRL+C
The registered trademark symbol ALT+CTRL+R
The trademark symbol ALT+CTRL+T
An ellipsis ALT+CTRL+PERIOD
A single opening quotation mark CTRL+`, `
A single closing quotation mark CTRL+', '
Double opening quotation marks CTRL+`, SHIFT+'
Double closing quotation marks CTRL+', SHIFT+'
Insert characters by using character codes
To do this Press
The Unicode character for the specified Unicode (hexadecimal) The character
character code. For example, to insert the euro currency symbol ( ), type code, ALT+X
20AC, and then hold down the ALT key and press X.
The ANSI (ANSI character set: An 8-bit character set used by Microsoft ALT+the
Windows that allows you to represent up to 256 characters (0 through character code
255) by using your keyboard. The ASCII character set is a subset of the (on the numeric
ANSI set.) character for the specified ANSI (decimal) character code. For keypad)
example, to insert the euro currency symbol, hold down the ALT key and
press 0128 on the numeric keypad.
Select text and graphics
Select text by holding down SHIFT and pressing the key that moves the insertion point.
Select multiple areas that aren't next to each other
After making your first selection, hold down CTRL, and then select any other items you want.
Extend a selection
To do this Press
Turn extend mode on. F8
Select the nearest F8, and then press LEFT ARROW or RIGHT ARROW
character.
Increase the size of a F8 (press once to select a word, twice to select a sentence,
selection. and so on)
Reduce the size of a SHIFT+F8
selection.
Turn extend mode off. ESC
One character to the right SHIFT+RIGHT ARROW
One character to the left SHIFT+LEFT ARROW
To the end of a word CTRL+SHIFT+RIGHT ARROW
To the beginning of a word CTRL+SHIFT+LEFT ARROW
To the end of a line SHIFT+END
 To the beginning of a line SHIFT+HOME
One line down SHIFT+DOWN ARROW
One line up SHIFT+UP ARROW
To the end of a paragraph CTRL+SHIFT+DOWN ARROW
To the beginning of a CTRL+SHIFT+UP ARROW
paragraph
One screen down SHIFT+PAGE DOWN
One screen up SHIFT+PAGE UP
To the beginning of a CTRL+SHIFT+HOME
document
To the end of a document CTRL+SHIFT+END
To the end of a window ALT+CTRL+SHIFT+PAGE DOWN
To include the entire CTRL+A
document
A vertical block of text CTRL+SHIFT+F8, and then use the arrow keys; press ESC to
cancel selection mode
To a specific location in a F8+arrow keys; press ESC to cancel selection mode
document
Tip
If you know the key combination to move the insertion point, you can generally select the text
by using the same key combination while holding down SHIFT. For example, CTRL+RIGHT
ARROW moves the insertion point to the next word, and CTRL+SHIFT+RIGHT ARROW
selects the text from the insertion point to the beginning of the next word.
Select text and graphics in a table
To do this Press
Select the next cell's TAB
contents.
Select the preceding SHIFT+TAB
cell's contents.
Extend a selection to Hold down SHIFT and press an arrow key repeatedly
adjacent cells.
Select a column. Click in the column's top or bottom cell. Hold down SHIFT and
press the UP ARROW or DOWN ARROW key repeatedly
Extend a selection (or CTRL+SHIFT+F8, and then use the arrow keys; press ESC to
block). cancel selection mode
Remove the selection. SHIFT+F8
Select an entire table. ALT+5 on the numeric keypad (with NUM LOCK off)
Move the insertion point
To do this Press
One character to the left LEFT ARROW
One character to the right RIGHT ARROW
 One word to the left CTRL+LEFT ARROW
One word to the right CTRL+RIGHT ARROW
One paragraph up CTRL+UP ARROW
One paragraph down CTRL+DOWN ARROW
One cell to the left (in a table) SHIFT+TAB
One cell to the right (in a table) TAB
Up one line UP ARROW
Down one line DOWN ARROW
To the end of a line END
To the beginning of a line HOME
To the top of the window ALT+CTRL+PAGE UP
To the end of the window ALT+CTRL+PAGE
DOWN
Up one screen (scrolling) PAGE UP
Down one screen (scrolling) PAGE DOWN
To the top of the next page CTRL+PAGE DOWN
To the top of the previous page CTRL+PAGE UP
To the end of a document CTRL+END
To the beginning of a document CTRL+HOME
To a previous revision SHIFT+F5
After opening a document, to the location it was in when the SHIFT+F5
document was last closed
Move around in a table
To do this Press
Next cell in a row TAB
Previous cell in a row SHIFT+TAB
First cell in a row ALT+HOME
Last cell in a row ALT+END
First cell in a column ALT+PAGE UP
Last cell in a column ALT+PAGE DOWN
Previous row UP ARROW
Next row DOWN ARROW
Insert paragraphs and tab characters in a table
To do this Press
New paragraphs in a cell ENTER
Tab characters in a cell CTRL+TAB
Character and paragraph formatting
Copy formatting
To do this Press
Copy formatting from text. CTRL+SHIFT+C
Apply copied formatting to text. CTRL+SHIFT+V
Change or resize the font
To do this Press
Change the font. CTRL+SHIFT+F
Change the font size. CTRL+SHIFT+P
Increase the font size. CTRL+SHIFT+>
Decrease the font size. CTRL+SHIFT+<
Increase the font size by 1 point. CTRL+]
Decrease the font size by 1 point. CTRL+[
Apply character formats
To do this Press
Change the formatting of characters (Font command, Format CTRL+D
menu).
Change the case of letters. SHIFT+F3
Format letters as all capitals. CTRL+SHIFT+A
Apply bold formatting. CTRL+B
Apply an underline. CTRL+U
Underline words but not spaces. CTRL+SHIFT+W
Double-underline text. CTRL+SHIFT+D
Apply hidden text formatting. CTRL+SHIFT+H
Apply italic formatting. CTRL+I
Format letters as small capitals. CTRL+SHIFT+K
Apply subscript formatting (automatic spacing). CTRL+EQUAL SIGN
Apply superscript formatting (automatic spacing). CTRL+SHIFT+PLUS
SIGN
Remove manual character formatting. CTRL+SPACEBAR
Change the selection to the Symbol font. CTRL+SHIFT+Q
View and copy text formats
To do this Press
Display nonprinting CTRL+SHIFT+* (asterisk)
characters.
Review text formatting. SHIFT+F1 (then click the text whose formatting you want to
review)
Copy formats. CTRL+SHIFT+C
Paste formats. CTRL+SHIFT+V
Set line spacing
 To do this Press
Single-space lines CTRL+1
Double-space lines CTRL+2
Set 1.5-line spacing CTRL+5
Add or remove one line space preceding a paragraph CTRL+0 (zero)
Align paragraphs
To do this Press
Center a paragraph. CTRL+E
Justify a paragraph. CTRL+J
Left align a paragraph. CTRL+L
Right align a paragraph. CTRL+R
Indent a paragraph from the left. CTRL+M
Remove a paragraph indent from the left. CTRL+SHIFT+M
Create a hanging indent. CTRL+T
Reduce a hanging indent. CTRL+SHIFT+T
Remove paragraph formatting. CTRL+Q
Apply paragraph styles
To do this Press
Apply a style. CTRL+SHIFT+S
Start AutoFormat. ALT+CTRL+K
Apply the Normal style. CTRL+SHIFT+N
Apply the Heading 1 style. ALT+CTRL+1
Apply the Heading 2 style. ALT+CTRL+2
Apply the Heading 3 style. ALT+CTRL+3
Apply the List style. CTRL+SHIFT+L
Drawing objects and other objects
Inserting and editing objects
Insert an object by using the keyboard.
Use the keyboard to open the Object dialog box (Insert menu).
Use the DOWN ARROW key to select an object, and then tab to OK, and press ENTER.
Edit an object by using the keyboard.
With the insertion point to the left of the object in your document, select the object by
pressing SHIFT+RIGHT ARROW.
Press SHIFT+F10.
Tab to Object name Object, press ENTER, and then press ENTER again.
Inserting and selecting drawing objects
Insert an AutoShape by using the keyboard.
Use the keyboard to show the Drawing toolbar if it is not showing.
Press ALT+U to choose AutoShape on the Drawing toolbar.
Use the arrow keys to move through the categories of AutoShapes (AutoText: A storage
location for text or graphics you want to use again, such as a standard contract clause or a
long distribution list. Each selection of text or graphics is recorded as an AutoText entry and
is assigned a unique name.) and select the AutoShape you want.
Press CTRL+ENTER.
Note To edit the AutoShape, select the AutoShape, and then use the keyboard to choose
AutoShape on the Format menu. Select the options you want on the available tabs.
Insert a text box by using the keyboard
Use the keyboard to select Text Box on the Insert menu.
Use the right arrow key to open the submenu, select either Horizontal or Vertical, and then
press CTRL+ENTER.
Type the text you want in the text box (text box: A movable, resizable container for text or
graphics. Use text boxes to position several blocks of text on a page or to give text a different
orientation from other text in the document.).
When you are finished typing and want to switch back to editing text in your document, press
SHIFT+F10, choose Exit Edit Text on the shortcut menu (shortcut menu: A menu that shows
a list of commands relevant to a particular item. To display a shortcut menu, right-click an
item or press SHIFT+F10.), and then press ESC.
Note To format the text box (add a fill color or change the size, for example), select the text
box, choose Text Box on the Format menu, and then select the options you want on the
available tabs.
Insert a WordArt drawing object by using the keyboard
Use the keyboard to choose WordArt (Insert menu, Picture submenu).
Use the arrow keys to select the WordArt (WordArt: Text objects you create with ready-made
effects to which you can apply additional formatting options.) style you want, and then press
ENTER.
Type the text you want, and then use the TAB key to select other options in the dialog box.
Press ENTER to insert the WordArt drawing object (drawing object: Any graphic you draw or
insert, which can be changed and enhanced. Drawing objects include AutoShapes, curves,
lines, and WordArt.).
Note To edit the WordArt drawing object, select the object, choose WordArt on the Format
menu, and then select the options you want on the available tabs.
Select a drawing object by using the keyboard
If the insertion point is within text in your document, do the following:
Press F10 to make the menu bar (menu bar: The horizontal bar below the title bar that
contains the names of menus. A menu bar can be the built-in menu bar or a custom menu
bar.) active.
Press CTRL+TAB until the Drawing toolbar is active.
Press the RIGHT ARROW key to choose Select Objects .
Press CTRL+ENTER to select the first drawing object (drawing object: Any graphic you draw
or insert, which can be changed and enhanced. Drawing objects include AutoShapes,
curves, lines, and WordArt.).
Press the TAB key to cycle forward (or SHIFT+TAB to cycle backward) through the objects
until sizing handles appear on the object you want to select.
If the insertion point is within text in a drawing object, do the following:
Press SHIFT+F10, and then use the keyboard to choose Exit Edit Text on the shortcut menu.
Press the TAB key to cycle forward (or SHIFT+TAB to cycle backward) through the objects
until sizing handles appear on the object you want to select.
Note To switch from selecting objects back to editing text in your document, press ESC.
Editing drawing objects
Rotate a drawing object by using the keyboard
Select the drawing object (drawing object: Any graphic you draw or insert, which can be
changed and enhanced. Drawing objects include AutoShapes, curves, lines, and WordArt.)
you want to rotate.
Use the keyboard to choose the command for the type of object you selected — for example,
on the Format menu, choose AutoShape or Text Box — and then select the Size tab.
Under Size and rotate, use the TAB key to select Rotation, and then type the amount of
rotation you want.
Change the position of a drawing object on a page by using the keyboard
Select the drawing object (drawing object: Any graphic you draw or insert, which can be
changed and enhanced. Drawing objects include AutoShapes, curves, lines, and WordArt.)
you want to change.
Use the keyboard to choose the command for the type of object you selected — for example,
on the Format menu, choose AutoShape or Text Box — and then select the Layout tab.
Select the options you want.
Tip
You can nudge the selected object up, down, left, or right by holding down CTRL and
pressing arrow keys.
Change the size of a drawing object by using the keyboard
Select the drawing object (drawing object: Any graphic you draw or insert, which can be
changed and enhanced. Drawing objects include AutoShapes, curves, lines, and WordArt.)
you want to change.
Use the keyboard to choose the command for the type of object you selected — for example,
on the Format menu, choose AutoShape or Text Box — and then select the Size tab.
Select the options you want.
Copy the attributes of a drawing object by using the keyboard
Select the drawing object (drawing object: Any graphic you draw or insert, which can be
changed and enhanced. Drawing objects include AutoShapes, curves, lines, and WordArt.)
with the attributes you want to copy.
If you select an AutoShape (AutoShapes: A group of ready-made shapes that includes basic
shapes, such as rectangles and circles, plus a variety of lines and connectors, block arrows,
flowchart symbols, stars and banners, and callouts.) with attached text, you copy the look
and style of the text as well as the attributes of the AutoShape.
Press CTRL+SHIFT+C to copy the object attributes.
Press the TAB key or SHIFT+TAB to select the object you want to copy the attributes to.
Press CTRL+SHIFT+V.
Mail merge and fields
Performing a mail merge
Note You must start the Mail Merge task pane (Tools menu, Letters and Mailings
command, Mail Merge subcommand) before you can use these commands.
To do this Press
Preview a mail merge. ALT+SHIFT+K
Merge a document. ALT+SHIFT+N
Print the merged document. ALT+SHIFT+M
Edit a mail-merge data document. ALT+SHIFT+E
Insert a merge field. ALT+SHIFT+F
Working with fields
To do this Press
Insert a DATE field (field: A set of codes that instructs Microsoft Word ALT+SHIFT+D
to insert text, graphics, page numbers, and other material into a
document automatically. For example, the DATE field inserts the
current date.).
Insert a LISTNUM field. ALT+CTRL+L
Insert a PAGE field. ALT+SHIFT+P
Insert a TIME field. ALT+SHIFT+T
 Insert an empty field. CTRL+F9
Update linked information in a Microsoft Word source document. CTRL+SHIFT+F7
Update selected fields. F9
Unlink a field. CTRL+SHIFT+F9
Switch between a selected field code (field code: Placeholder text that SHIFT+F9
shows where specified information from your data source will appear;
the elements in a field that generate a field's result. The field code
includes the field characters, field type, and instructions.) and its
result (field results: Text or graphics inserted in a document when
Microsoft Word carries out a field's instructions. When you print the
document or hide field codes, the field results replace the field
codes.).
Switch between all field codes and their results. ALT+F9
Run GOTOBUTTON or MACROBUTTON from the field that displays ALT+SHIFT+F9
the field results.
Go to the next field. F11
Go to the previous field. SHIFT+F11
Lock a field. CTRL+F11
Unlock a field. CTRL+SHIFT+F11
Key combinations
Function keys
To do this Press
Get Help or visit Microsoft Office Online. F1
Move text or graphics. F2
Insert an AutoText (AutoText: A storage location for text or graphics you want to use F3
again, such as a standard contract clause or a long distribution list. Each selection
of text or graphics is recorded as an AutoText entry and is assigned a unique
name.) entry (after Microsoft Word displays the entry).
Repeat the last action. F4
Choose the Go To command (Edit menu). F5
Go to the next pane or frame. F6
Choose the Spelling command (Tools menu). F7
Extend a selection. F8
Update selected fields. F9
Activate the menu bar. F10
Go to the next field. F11
Choose the Save As command (File menu). F12
SHIFT+Function key
To do this Press
Start context-sensitive Help or reveal formatting. SHIFT+F1
Copy text. SHIFT+F2
Change the case of letters. SHIFT+F3
Repeat a Find or Go To action. SHIFT+F4
Move to the last change. SHIFT+F5
Go to the previous pane or frame. SHIFT+F6
Choose the Thesaurus command (Tools menu, Language submenu). SHIFT+F7
Shrink a selection. SHIFT+F8
Switch between a field code and its result. SHIFT+F9
Display a shortcut menu. SHIFT+F10
Go to the previous field. SHIFT+F11
Choose the Save command (File menu). SHIFT+F12
CTRL+Function key
To do this Press
Choose the Print Preview command (File menu). CTRL+F2
Cut to the Spike (Spike: A special AutoText entry that stores multiple deletions. CTRL+F3
Microsoft Word appends one item to another until you paste the contents as a
group in a new location in your document. You can also use the Microsoft
Office Clipboard to get the same result.).
Close the window. CTRL+F4
Restore the document window size (for example, after maximizing it). CTRL+F5
Go to the next window. CTRL+F6
Choose the Move command (title bar shortcut menu). CTRL+F7
Choose the Size command (title bar shortcut menu). CTRL+F8
Insert an empty field. CTRL+F9
Maximize the document window. CTRL+F10
Lock a field. CTRL+F11
Choose the Open command (File menu). CTRL+F12
CTRL+SHIFT+Function key
To do this Press
Insert the contents of the Spike (Spike: A special AutoText entry that CTRL+SHIFT+F3
stores multiple deletions. Microsoft Word appends one item to another
until you paste the contents as a group in a new location in your
document. You can also use the Microsoft Office Clipboard to get the
same result.).
Edit a bookmark. CTRL+SHIFT+F5
Go to the previous window. CTRL+SHIFT+F6
Update linked information in a Microsoft Word source document. CTRL+SHIFT+F7
Extend a selection or block (then press an arrow key). CTRL+SHIFT+F8
Unlink a field. CTRL+SHIFT+F9
Unlock a field. CTRL+SHIFT+F11
Choose the Print command (File menu). CTRL+SHIFT+F12
ALT+Function key
To do this Press
Go to the next field. ALT+F1
Create an AutoText (AutoText: A storage location for text or graphics you want ALT+F3
to use again, such as a standard contract clause or a long distribution list. Each
selection of text or graphics is recorded as an AutoText entry and is assigned a
unique name.) entry.
Quit Microsoft Word. ALT+F4
Restore the program window size. ALT+F5
Move from an open dialog box back to the document for dialog boxes such as ALT+F6
Find and Replace that support this behavior.
Find the next misspelling or grammatical error. The Check spelling as you type ALT+F7
check box must be selected (Tools menu, Options dialog box, Spelling &
Grammar tab).
Run a macro. ALT+F8
Switch between all field codes and their results. ALT+F9
Maximize the program window. ALT+F10
Display Microsoft Visual Basic code. ALT+F11
ALT+SHIFT+Function key
To do this Press
Go to the previous field. ALT+SHIFT+F1
Choose the Save command (File menu). ALT+SHIFT+F2
Run GOTOBUTTON or MACROBUTTON from the field that displays the ALT+SHIFT+F9
field results.
Display the menu or message for a smart tag. If more than one smart ALT+SHIFT+F10
tag is present, switch to the next smart tag and display its menu or
message.
Start the Microsoft Script Editor. ALT+SHIFT+F11
CTRL+ALT+Function key
To do this Press
Display Microsoft System Information. CTRL+ALT+F1
Open command (File menu). CTRL+ALT+F2