Keyboard shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts are a much faster way to get around your computer than using a mouse. Here are some useful ones.
Additionally, non-sighted users rely on the keyboard to navigate your app. Make sure that your app can be used without a mouse!
General
These shortcuts work in most apps.
Linux
Mac
Windows
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+N | New document |
| Ctrl+O | Open |
| Alt+F4 | Quit |
| Ctrl+S | Save |
| Ctrl+W | Close window |
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌘H | Hide window |
| ⌘M | Minimize window |
| ⌘N | New document |
| ⌘O | Open |
| ⌘Q | Quit |
| ⌘S | Save |
| ⌘W | Close window |
| ⌘, | Settings |
Many apps and sites use the Escape key to close dialogs, but the Escape key is very far away. You can remap CapsLock to Escape via
System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts… > Modifier Keys:
This may seem like a strange suggestion (at least it did to me initially), but once you start using Escape regularly you'll find that it's useful in lots of apps!
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+N | New document |
| Ctrl+O | Open |
| Alt+F4 | Quit |
| Ctrl+S | Save |
| Ctrl+W | Close window |
Navigation
File explorer
- Mac
These shortcuts work in both browsers and Finder:
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌘T | New tab |
| ⇧⌘[ | Previous tab |
| ⇧⌘] | Next tab |
| ⌘[ | Back in history |
| ⌘] | Forward in history |
Browser
These shortcuts work in browsers:
- Mac
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌘1–⌘9 | Select nth tab |
| ⌘L | Select location bar |
| ⇧⌘T | Reopen closed tab |
| ⌘R | Refresh |
| ⇧⌘R | Hard refresh (clears cache) |
Text
Here are some shortcuts for moving your cursor around.
Moving the cursor
- Mac
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌘A | Select all |
| ⌥← | Back one word |
| ⌥→ | Forward one word |
| ⌘← | Beginning of line |
| ⌘→ | End of line |
| Hold down Shift | Select text |
Copy/paste
Use these shortcuts instead of right-clicking to copy and paste. Note that these shortcuts also work in the file explorer!
- Linux
- Mac
- Windows
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+C | Copy |
| Ctrl+P | Paste |
| Ctrl+X | Cut |
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌘C | Copy |
| ⌘P | Paste |
| ⌘X | Cut |
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+C | Copy |
| Ctrl+P | Paste |
| Ctrl+X | Cut |
Arrow key alternatives
The arrow keys are handy for moving around in a document, but they are very far away. These alternatives let you navigate without moving your hands from home row.
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌃N | Down (↓) |
| ⌃P | Up (↑) |
| ⌃F | Forward (→) |
| ⌃B | Back (←) |