63 Best Google Docs Keyboard Shortcuts.
Improve your workflow using keyboard shortcuts for everything. You can even create custom shortcuts that work best for you. Shortcuts work in all applications and systems, from a Word document to a Windows interface. Many of them also remain the same no matter which program you use.
This article will focus on learning the best keyboard shortcuts for Google Docs.
Commonly Used Shortcuts
Shortcuts in this section are very popular not only in Google Docs, but also in various applications, browsers and programs that you can use. You may already be familiar with some of them.
Ctrl + C Copy content to clipboard. Ctrl + X Cut the desired content. While the Copy function creates a new copy of the content, the Cut command will remove the content from its original location so you can paste it anywhere. Ctrl + V Paste previously copied or cut content. Ctrl + Z Undo the last action. Ctrl + Shift + Z Repeat the last action. Ctrl + K Opens a field where you can insert or edit links. Alt + Enter Open a link from your Google Doc.
For macOS:
Cmd + C Copy content to clipboard. Cmd + X Cut content. Cmd + V Paste. Cmd + Z Undo the last action. Cmd + Shift + Z Repeat the last action. Cmd + K Insert or edit links. Option + Enter Open a link that is already in a Google Docs file.
Text Formatting Shortcuts
Whether you use Google Docs for work, school projects, or to write a book, you need to format your text. Thus, the document will be easy to read and understand. Text formatting can be done both during writing and after it. Either way, there are keyboard shortcuts to help you do it quickly and effortlessly.
Some text formatting keyboard shortcuts are used in most writing applications, and you’re probably already familiar with them.
Ctrl + B Make selected text bold. Ctrl + I Italicize the selected text. Ctrl + U Underline selected text. Ctrl + Shift + V This is a more complex version of the Ctrl + V command. In Google Docs, when you copy and paste content from somewhere else, Google Docs automatically formats it. Use this shortcut to paste the unformatted version of the copied content. Ctrl + Clear formatting of selected text in Google Doc. Ctrl + Alt + C Copy the formatting action of the selected text. Ctrl + Alt + V Paste the previously copied formatting action into new text. Alt + Shift + 5 Throw out some text to indicate that you’ve made a change. Ctrl + . Make the selected text superscript. Ctrl + , Make the selected text subscript. Ctrl + Shift + . Increase font size. Ctrl + Shift + , Decrease the font size.
For macOS:
Cmd + B bold. Cmd + I Italic. Cmd + U Underline. Cmd + Shift + V Paste the unformatted version of the copied content. Cmd + Clear formatting of selected text in Google Doc. Cmd + Option + C Copy the formatting action of the selected text. Cmd + Option + V Paste the previously copied formatting action into new text. Cmd + Shift + X Throw out some text to indicate that you’ve made a change. Cmd + . Make the selected text superscript. Cmd + , Make the selected text subscript. Cmd+Shift+. Increase font size. Cmd + Shift + Decrease the font size.
Paragraph Formatting Shortcuts
The formatting of a paragraph is just as important as the text itself. This makes it easier to view and read your Google Doc. Here are some keyboard shortcuts that will speed up the process of organizing your Google Doc:
Ctrl + Shift + L Align selected paragraphs to the left. Ctrl + Shift + E Align the selected paragraphs to the center. Ctrl + Shift + R Align selected paragraphs to the right. Ctrl + Shift + J Align the selected paragraph or section of text. Ctrl + Shift + up arrow Move the selected paragraph up. Ctrl + Shift + down arrow Move the selected paragraph down. Ctrl + Shift + 7 Turn the selected paragraph into a numbered list. Ctrl + Shift + 8 Turn the selected paragraph into a bulleted list. Ctrl + Shift + 9 Make the selected paragraph a watchlist.
For macOS:
Cmd + Shift+ L Align text to the left. Cmd + Shift + E Center text. Cmd + Shift + R Align text to the right. Cmd + Shift + J Justify the selected paragraph or section of text. Ctrl + Shift + up arrow Move the selected paragraph up. Ctrl + Shift + down arrow Move the selected paragraph down. Cmd + Shift + 7 Create a numbered list. Cmd + Shift + 8 Create a bulleted list. Cmd + Shift + 9 Create a checklist.
Image and Drawings Formatting Shortcuts
Graphics will help you better present your work and visualize your thoughts. Did you know that you can format the images and drawings in your Google Doc to match perfectly with the text they accompany? Use these shortcuts to make your workflow easier.
Ctrl + Alt + K Increase the size of the image while maintaining the aspect ratio. Ctrl + Alt + B Increase the horizontal size of the image. Ctrl + Alt + I Increase the vertical size of the image. Ctrl + Alt + J Reducing the size of the image while maintaining the aspect ratio. Ctrl + Alt + W Reduce the horizontal size of the image. Ctrl + Alt + Q Reduce the vertical size of the image. Alt + right arrow Rotate the selected image clockwise by 15°. Alt + left arrow Rotate the selected image counterclockwise by 15°. Alt + Shift + Right Arrow Rotate the selected image clockwise by 1°. Alt + Shift + Left Arrow Rotate the selected image counterclockwise by 1°.
For macOS:
Cmd + Ctrl + K Increase image size while maintaining aspect ratio. Cmd + Ctrl + B Increase the horizontal size of the image. Cmd + Ctrl + I Increase the vertical size of the image. Cmd + Ctrl + J Reduce the image size while maintaining the aspect ratio. Cmd + Ctrl + W Reduce the horizontal size of the image. Cmd + Ctrl + Q Reduce the vertical size of the image. Option + right arrow Rotate the selected image clockwise by 15°. Option + left arrow Rotate the selected image counterclockwise by 15°. Option + Shift + Right Arrow Rotate the selected image clockwise by 1°. Option + Shift + Left Arrow Rotate the selected image counterclockwise by 1°.
Shortcuts for Comments, Footnotes, and More
You can even edit footnotes and headings with a few keyboard shortcuts. Need to quickly respond to a comment made by your boss or editor? No problem, even this can be done in no time. Here’s how:
Ctrl + Alt + [1-6] Changes the heading style. A number between 1 and 6 determines the style to be applied. Ctrl + Enter Insert a page break into the document. Ctrl + Alt + M Quickly insert a comment into a Google Docs file. Select comment + R Reply to the selected comment. Select comment + E Correct the selected comment. Ctrl + Alt + F Insert a new footnote. Hold Ctrl + Alt + E then F Go to the current footnote. Hold Ctrl + Alt + N then F Go to the next footnote. Hold Ctrl + Alt + P then F Go to the previous footnote. Ctrl + Alt + X or press f7. Open the spelling/grammar check for your Google Docs file. Ctrl + Alt + Z or Alt + Shift + ~ Enable screen reader support.
For macOS:
Cmd + Option + [1-6] Changes the heading style. Cmd + Enter Insert a page break into the document. Cmd + Option + M Insert a comment. Select comment + R Reply to the selected comment. Select comment + E Correct the selected comment. Cmd + Option + F Insert a new footnote. Hold Ctrl + Cmd + E then F Go to the current footnote. Hold Ctrl + Cmd + N then F Go to the next footnote. Hold Ctrl + Cmd + P then F Go to previous. Cmd + Option + XOr press Fn + f7 Open spell/grammar check for your Google Docs file. Option + Cmd + Z Enable screen reader support
Navigation and Menu Shortcuts
While it may seem easier to click to navigate a Google Docs file, it’s much easier and faster to do so using keyboard shortcuts, especially since you’ll be combining those keyboard shortcuts with formatting and editing. It’s easier not to take your hands off the keyboard at all, and do everything with a few keystrokes.
Ctrl + F Search for a word or phrase in a Google Docs file. Ctrl + G Search again. Ctrl + H Find a word or phrase in a Google Docs file and replace it with another. Ctrl + Shift + X Invoke the context menu for faster editing or inserting links and emoji. Alt + F or Alt + Shift+ F (for browsers other than Chrome) Open the file menu. Alt + O or Alt + Shift + O (for non-Chrome browsers) Open the formatting menu. Alt + V or open the view menu. Alt + E or open the edit menu. Alt + H Open the help menu. Alt + A Open accessibility menu when screen reader is enabled. Alt + T or open the tool menu. Ctrl + Shift + F Enter compact mode/ Hide all menus. Page Up Move page up. Page Down Move page down.
For macOS:
Cmd + F Search for a word or phrase in a Google Docs file. Cmd + G Redo search. Cmd + H Find a word or phrase and replace it with another one. Cmd + Shift + Call context menu. Ctrl + Option + F Open the file menu. Ctrl + Option + O Open the formatting menu. Ctrl + Option + V Open the view menu. Ctrl + Option + E Open the edit menu. Ctrl + Option + H Open the help menu. Ctrl + Option + A Open the accessibility menu when a screen reader is enabled. Ctrl + Option + T Open the tool menu. Ctrl + Shift + F Enter compact mode/ Hide all menus. Fn + up Move page up. Fn + down Move page down.
Whether you’re a writer filling out endless pages of Google Docs or a casual user, keyboard shortcuts will improve your workflow once you get used to them. Make sure you practice them daily to build the habit. Also, check out our article on the best Microsoft Excel keyboard shortcuts to become a spreadsheet master.
63 Best Google Docs Keyboard Shortcuts
63 Best Google Docs Keyboard Shortcuts