Microsoft Word Shortcut Keys: The Complete CheatSheet

Microsoft Word shortcuts vary across Windows desktop, Mac, and Word for the web, so use the platform-specific combinations below. This cheat sheet covers common editing, formatting, navigation, review, table, and window shortcuts for current desktop editions, plus key differences for the web and Mac.

Windows desktop shortcuts apply broadly to Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2024, Word 2021, Word 2019, and Word 2016. Microsoft’s reference also covers Word for iPad, iPhone, Android, and Word Mobile, but those mobile platforms are not covered in this desktop-focused guide. Unless noted otherwise, Windows combinations use a US keyboard layout.

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How to read Word shortcut notation

• Ctrl+S means hold Ctrl and press S at the same time.
• Alt, H, F, O means press the keys one after another. It is a Ribbon KeyTip sequence, not a simultaneous combination.
• Microsoft’s shortcut tables use a US keyboard layout. Symbols and key positions can differ on other layouts.

The Windows desktop shortcuts below apply broadly to Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2024, Word 2021, Word 2019, and Word 2016. Word for the web has a separate set, covered later.

Essential Word shortcuts for Windows

Formatting shortcuts

These shortcuts apply formatting at the cursor or to selected text. If no text is selected, bold, italic, and underline become toggles for the text you type next.

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Navigation and selection

Word becomes quicker to edit when you move by words and paragraphs instead of pressing an arrow key repeatedly.

Select text without the mouse

After reopening a document, press Shift+F5 immediately to return to the last editing position from before it was closed.

Extend Selection mode

For larger, precisely controlled selections, press F8 to start Extend Selection mode. Then:

1. Press F8 followed by a left or right arrow to select an adjacent character.
2. Press F8 repeatedly to expand the selection from character to word, sentence, paragraph, section, and then the whole document.
3. Press Shift+F8 to reduce the selection.
4. Press Esc to leave Extend Selection mode.

To select a vertical block of text, press Ctrl+Shift+F8, then press an arrow key.

Editing and inserting content

Insert symbols and special characters

To insert a Unicode character by hexadecimal code, type the code and press Alt+X. For example, type 20AC, then press Alt+X to convert it to the euro symbol (€). Select a character and press Alt+X to reveal its Unicode code. An ANSI character can also be inserted by holding Alt and entering its decimal code on the numeric keypad.

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Reviewing, comments, and references

Shortcuts for tables

Pressing Tab in the last cell usually creates a new row. Use Ctrl+Tab when you need an actual tab character instead.

Views, zoom, and the Word window

Ribbon KeyTips: use commands without memorizing every shortcut

Press Alt in Windows desktop Word to display letters over Ribbon tabs and other controls. Then press the letters shown on screen. Common starting points are:

Microsoft’s Search field may be labeled Search or Tell Me, depending on the Microsoft 365 version, and the experience can differ. KeyTips can also change with the Word version or interface. Press Esc to move back one level; at the first level, it hides the tips. On a split button, its KeyTip may open the button’s menu rather than execute the main command.

Word for the web: important differences

Word for the web runs inside a browser, so browser shortcuts can take precedence. Do not assume that the Windows desktop list works unchanged.

In the web version, F1 opens browser help, not Word help, and Ctrl+O opens the browser’s Open command rather than Word’s desktop Open dialog.

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On Windows, press Alt+Period or Alt+Windows logo key to display Word for the web KeyTips. Common sequences include Alt+Period, H for Home, Alt+Period, N for Insert, Alt+Period, A for Layout, and Alt+Period, S for References. On Mac, use Control+Period.

Word for Mac shortcuts

Mac Word generally uses Command for everyday editing:

Many Windows Ctrl shortcuts also work with Control on Mac, but not all do. Use the Mac-specific command when one is listed.

Mac KeyTips and function keys

KeyTips are off by default in Mac Word and require Word version 16.89 or later. To enable them, open Word > Preferences > Accessibility, find KeyTips > Activation keystroke, and choose Option or Shift+Option, depending on the available setting.

On older versions without KeyTips, enable keyboard navigation in Apple menu > System Settings > Keyboard, then press F6 repeatedly to move through Ribbon areas. If the function keys control macOS features such as brightness or volume, enable Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys in the keyboard settings.

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Some Word shortcuts conflict with macOS or utility software. Microsoft’s documented place to check these is Apple menu > System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts > Mission Control; clear the checkbox for the conflicting macOS command.

Assign a custom shortcut in Word for Windows

When Word has no built-in shortcut for a command, macro, style, font, or symbol, you can assign one. The current path in supported desktop editions is File > Options > Customize Ribbon.

1. At the bottom of the Customize the Ribbon and keyboard shortcuts pane, select Customize.
2. Choose where to save the assignment in Save changes in: the current document or a template such as Normal.dotm.
3. Choose the relevant category, then select the command in Commands.
4. Check Current keys and Currently assigned to before changing anything.
5. Click Press new shortcut key and press the desired combination.
6. Confirm that it is not already assigned, then select Assign.

Custom shortcuts must begin with Ctrl or a function key. If you reuse an existing shortcut, its old behavior is removed. For example, assigning Ctrl+B to another command stops it from applying bold until you restore the original assignment.

To remove a shortcut, select it under Current keys and choose Remove. To restore all keyboard assignments, select Reset All in the Customize Keyboard dialog.

Shortcuts worth learning first

1. Ctrl+S — save before a risky edit or format change.
2. Ctrl+Z — undo mistakes without hunting through the Ribbon.
3. Ctrl+F — find text and open the Navigation pane.
4. Ctrl+H — replace repeated text quickly.
5. Ctrl+Shift+V — paste without importing unwanted formatting.
6. Ctrl+Enter — start a new page cleanly.
7. Ctrl+Home and Ctrl+End — jump to either end of a long document.
8. Ctrl+Shift+E — toggle Track Changes during review.
9. Ctrl+K — add or edit a hyperlink.
10. Alt — discover a Ribbon command when you do not know its shortcut.

FAQ

Are Word shortcuts the same on Windows, Mac, and the web?

No. Windows desktop, macOS desktop, and Word for the web have separate shortcut sets. Word for the web also runs inside a browser, so keys such as Ctrl+O and F1 may invoke browser commands.

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Why does F6 not move around Word for the web?

Microsoft documents Ctrl+F6 for moving into and out of Word for the web command regions. F6 is affected by the browser and should not be treated as the desktop Word shortcut.

Can I create a shortcut for any Word command?

On Windows desktop Word, commands without a built-in shortcut can be assigned a custom shortcut or handled with a recorded macro. Custom assignments must begin with Ctrl or a function key.

How do I restore a shortcut I accidentally replaced?

Open File > Options > Customize Ribbon > Customize, find the command in the Customize Keyboard dialog, and remove the replacement. To restore all assignments, select Reset All.

Why do Word shortcuts behave differently on a non-US keyboard?

Microsoft’s shortcut tables use a US keyboard layout. Punctuation keys and symbol combinations can produce different results on other layouts.

Do Mac Word KeyTips work automatically?

No. In current Mac Word they are off by default and require version 16.89 or later. Enable them under Word > Preferences > Accessibility > KeyTips > Activation keystroke.

The Bottom Line

For Windows desktop Word, start with Ctrl+S, Ctrl+Z, Ctrl+F, Ctrl+H, Ctrl+Shift+V, and the navigation shortcuts. Use Alt to discover Ribbon commands rather than memorizing every obscure sequence. If you work in Word for the web or on a Mac, use the platform-specific sections: the same key combination may perform a different action or belong to the browser or operating system.

Shortcut behavior can vary by Word version, keyboard layout, operating system settings, and installed utilities. Microsoft’s current shortcut reference covers Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2024, Word 2021, Word 2019, Word 2016, Word for the web, mobile platforms, and Mac editions.

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