And now for something completely different. This post is for writers like me who are impatient with clicking between open windows and open programs, or who want to quickly move through their manuscript.
There are really dozens of such shortcuts, but here are the ones I find myself using most often. I use Windows, but there’s a link below for the Mac lovers, too.
ALT+TAB: Switch between open programs
CTRL+Z: Undo
CTRL and either + or – :makes text larger or smaller on websites for easier viewing on eyes that are getting older.
CTRL and click a website link :opens links in a new window
CTRL + TAB: switch between open windows that are all in a line
Useful Keyboard Shortcuts for Microsoft Word:
CTRL N :quickly opens a new document (great for those times you want to jot down a note, but keep writing on your current scene.)
CTRL end :moves the cursor to the end of a document (when you suddenly want to change your ending)
CTRl home :moves the cursor to the beginning of a document (when you suddenly want to change your beginning.)
These are shortcuts that I find the most useful for me, but there are tons more. If you’re interested, there’s a shortcut list for Word and one for Windows in general. If you’re on a Mac, their website lists some helpful shortcuts, too.
Thanks for this — Useful post. I’ll have to try to incorporate some of these into my workday.
I didn’t see the keystrokes I most urgently need: Creativity, Cleverness, Originality, Thoughtfulness…etc. Sigh. Guess I’ll email Bill Gates to see what he can do.
Best Regards, Galen.
GalenKindley.com
This rocks. I linked to it from the Florida Writers Conference Blog. The FWA members will love this.
my favourite shortcut is ctrl F, useful for finding a scene I want quickly or a chapter when editing. Also useful for when I’ve decided to change a character name – I love auto replace.
Thanks, Elizabeth. Another one I use a lot is the Windows key + D, which brings you to your desktop and back. I’m talking about that key with the Windows flag on it.
Bob Sanchez
http://bobsanchez1.blogspot.com
I’m bad in using shortcut keys. But has anyone tested if they are in fact shortcuts? Asking me to find the control and the end keys on the keyboard may take me more time, LOL.
Sexy romance by Enid Wilson