100+ google Docs shortcuts and Tips to Work Smarter in Google Docs. Try these shortcuts, productivity, and collaboration tricks and get more done in less time.
To save time while working, use Google Docs keyboard shortcuts to navigate, format, and edit. Google docs has 100+ keyboard shortcuts for better performance. Here, we’ve summarized them to give you the most important ones you use in your daily activities to improve your productivity.
TL; Dr
- Google Docs has a vast array of keyboard shortcuts to operate Docs faster and easier.
- Google Docs' keyboard shortcuts perform the same functions on Windows and Mac devices. But the keys you press differ depending on your device.
- Open a list of keyboard shortcuts in Google Docs: press Ctrl + / (on Windows, Chrome OS) or ⌘ + / (on Mac).
- Search Chrome menus: press Alt + / (on Windows, Chrome OS) or Option + / (on Mac).
PC Keyboard shortcuts for Google Docs
Google Docs keyboard shortcuts can save you a lot of time when you’re working, surfing, drawing, or using other software and applications. The keys in each keyboard shortcut listed below should be pressed simultaneously to get the targeted function.
Top Useful Google Doc Shortcuts for Windows
Navigate your documents and screen a lot faster when you use these keyboard shortcuts for formatting and more. These top Google Docs keyboard shortcuts are especially handy for writers who’re always on their computers.
- Show keyboard shortcuts on Google Doc: Ctrl + /
- Copy and pasted: Ctrl + c and Ctrl + v
- Paste without formatting: Ctrl + Shift + v
- Bold text: Ctrl + b
- Undo: Ctrl + z
- Redo: Ctrl + y
- Find: Ctrl+f
- Bulleted list: Ctrl + Shift + L
- Inset link: Ctrl + k
- Full screen: Ctrl + Shift + F
- Underline: Ctrl + u
- Italic: Ctrl + i
- Strike through: Alt + Shift + 5
- Heading: Ctrl+: 1 (1 represents Heading style. Change the "1" to any number 1-6)
- Find the word count: Ctrl + Shift+ c
- Justify: Ctrl + Shift + j
- Print a document: Ctrl + p
- UPPERCASE: Shift + F3 on Windows or fn + Shift + F3 for Mac
Note: Some keyboard shortcuts might not work for all Keyboards or languages.
Common Google Docs keyboard shortcuts for PC and Mac functions
100+ Google Docs keyboard shortcuts for PC & Mac productivity
|
Function |
Windows/Chrome |
Mac |
|
Show common keyboard shortcuts |
Ctrl + / |
⌘ + / |
|
Copy |
Ctrl + c |
⌘ + c |
|
Cut |
Ctrl + x |
⌘ + x |
|
Paste |
Ctrl + v |
⌘ + v |
|
Paste without formatting |
Ctrl + Shift + v |
⌘ + Shift + V |
|
Undo |
Ctrl + z |
⌘ + z |
|
Redo |
Ctrl + Shift + z |
⌘ + Shift + Z |
|
Insert or edit link |
Ctrl + k |
⌘ + k |
|
Open link |
Alt + Enter |
Options + Enter |
|
Save (Change automatically save in Drive) |
Ctrl + s |
⌘ + s |
|
|
Ctrl + p |
⌘ + p |
|
Open |
Ctrl + o |
⌘ + o |
|
Find |
Ctrl + f |
⌘ + f |
|
Find and replace |
Ctrl + h |
⌘ + Shift + h |
|
Hide the menus (compact mode) |
Ctrl + Shift + f |
⌘ + Shift + f |
|
Insert page break |
Ctrl + Enter |
⌘ + Enter |
|
Search the menus (Search Docs Menus/Chrome Menus) |
Alt + / Alt + Shift + z |
Option + / Ctrl + Option + z |
|
Switch to viewing |
Ctrl + Alt + Shift + c |
⌘ + Option + Shift + c |
|
Switch to suggesting |
Ctrl + Alt + Shift + x |
⌘ + Option + Shift + x |
|
Switch to editing |
Ctrl + Alt + Shift + z |
⌘ + Option + Shift + z |
Text Formatting with Google Docs keyboard shortcuts
|
Text formatting action |
Windows/Chrome |
Mac |
|
Open new google doc |
docs.new |
docs.new |
|
Bold |
Ctrl + b |
⌘ + b |
|
Italicize |
Ctrl + i |
⌘ + i |
|
Underline |
Ctrl + u |
⌘ + u |
|
Strikethrough |
Ctrl + Shift + 5 |
⌘ + Shift + x |
|
Superscript |
Ctrl + . |
⌘ + . |
|
Subscript |
Ctrl + , |
⌘ + , |
|
Copy text formatting |
Ctrl + Alt + c |
⌘ + Option + c |
|
Paste text formatting |
Ctrl + Alt + v |
⌘ + Option + v |
|
Clear text formatting |
Ctrl + \ or Ctrl + Space |
⌘ + \ |
|
Increase font size |
Ctrl + Shift + . |
⌘ + Shift + . |
|
Decrease font size |
Ctrl + Shift + , |
⌘ + Shift + , |
Paragraph formatting with Google Docs keyboard shortcuts
|
Paragraph formatting function |
Windows/Chrome |
Mac |
|
Increase paragraph indentation |
Ctrl + ] |
⌘ + ] |
|
Decrease paragraph indentation |
Ctrl + [ |
⌘ + [ |
|
Apply normal text style |
Ctrl + Alt + 0 |
⌘ + Option + 0 |
|
Apply heading style [1-6] |
Ctrl + Alt + [1-6] |
⌘ + Option + [1-6] |
|
Left align |
Ctrl + Shift + l |
⌘ + Shift + l |
|
Center align |
Ctrl + Shift + e |
⌘ + Shift + e |
|
Right align |
Ctrl + Shift + r |
⌘ + Shift + r |
|
Insert Numbered list |
Ctrl + Shift + 7 |
⌘ + Shift + 7 |
|
Insert Bulleted list |
Ctrl + Shift + 8 |
⌘ + Shift + 8 |
|
Inset Checklist |
Ctrl + Shift + 9 |
⌘ + Shift + 9 |
|
Move paragraph up/down |
Ctrl + Shift + Up/down arrow |
Ctrl + Shift + Up/down arrow |
Images and drawings Google Docs Keyboard shortcuts
|
Images and drawings Functions |
Windows |
Mac |
|
Insert Alt text = |
Ctrl + Alt + y |
⌘ + Option + y |
|
Resize larger = |
Ctrl + Alt + k |
⌘ + Ctrl + k |
|
Resize larger horizontally = |
Ctrl + Alt + b |
⌘ + Ctrl + b |
|
Resize larger vertically = |
Ctrl + Alt + i |
⌘ + Ctrl + i |
|
Resize smaller = |
Ctrl + Alt + j |
⌘ + Ctrl + j |
|
Resize smaller horizontally = |
Ctrl + Alt + w |
⌘ + Ctrl + w |
|
Resize smaller vertically = |
Ctrl + Alt + q |
⌘ + Ctrl + q |
|
Close drawing editor = |
Shift + Esc |
⌘ + Esc or Shift + Esc |
Text selection with Google Docs Keyboard Shortcuts
|
Text selection with keyboard Functions |
Windows |
Mac |
|
Select all |
Ctrl + a |
⌘ + a |
|
Extend selection one character |
Shift + Left/right arrow |
Shift + Left/right arrow |
|
Extend selection one line |
Shift + Up/down arrow |
Shift + Up/down arrow |
|
Extend selection one word |
Ctrl + Shift + Left/right arrow |
Shift + Fn + Left arrow |
|
Extend selection to the beginning of the line |
Shift + Home |
Option + Shift + Up/Down arrow |
|
Extend selection to the end of the line |
Shift + End |
Shift + Fn + Right arrow |
|
Extend selection to the beginning of the document |
Ctrl + Shift + Home |
⌘ + Shift + Up arrow |
|
Extend selection to the end of the document |
Ctrl + Shift + End |
⌘ + Shift + Down arrow |
Document Navigation with Google Docs Keyboard shortcuts
There are two groups of shortcuts in the document navigation category to help you move quickly through your document or table:
- Move to the next or previous item with Ctrl + Alt + n or Ctrl + Alt + p followed by another key.
- Move quickly around a table with Ctrl + Alt + Shift + t followed by another key.
Document Navigation
|
Document navigation Function |
Windows |
Mac |
|
Show outline |
olding Ctrl + Alt, press a then h |
holding Ctrl + ⌘, press a then h |
|
Move to next heading |
holding Ctrl + Alt, press n then h |
holding Ctrl + ⌘, press n then h |
|
Move to previous heading |
holding Ctrl + Alt, press p then h |
holding Ctrl + ⌘, press p then h |
|
Move to next heading [1-6] |
holding Ctrl + Alt, press n then [1-6] |
holding Ctrl + ⌘, press n then [1-6] |
|
Move to previous heading [1-6] |
holding Ctrl + Alt, press p then [1-6] |
holding Ctrl + ⌘, press p then [1-6] |
|
Move to next graphic (image or drawing) |
holding Ctrl + Alt, press n then g |
holding Ctrl + ⌘, press n then g |
|
Move to previous graphic (image or drawing) |
holding Ctrl + Alt, press p then g |
holding Ctrl + ⌘, press p then g |
|
Move to next list |
holding Ctrl + Alt, press n then o |
holding Ctrl + ⌘, press n then o |
|
Move to previous list |
holding Ctrl + Alt, press p then o |
holding Ctrl + ⌘, press p then o |
|
Move to next formatting change |
holding Ctrl + Alt, press n then w |
holding Ctrl + ⌘, press n then w |
|
Move to previous formatting change |
holding Ctrl + Alt, press p then w |
holding Ctrl + ⌘, press p then w |
|
Move to next edit (while viewing revision history or new changes) |
holding Ctrl + Alt, press n then r Ctrl + Alt + k |
holding Ctrl + ⌘, press n then r |
|
Move to previous edit (while viewing revision history or new changes) |
holding Ctrl + Alt, press p then r Ctrl + Alt + j |
holding Ctrl + ⌘, press p then r |
Table navigation with Google Docs Keyboard shortcuts
|
Table Navigation |
Windows |
Mac |
|
Move to the start of the table |
holding Ctrl + Alt + Shift, press t then s |
holding Ctrl + ⌘ + Shift, press t then s |
|
Move to the end of the table |
holding Ctrl + Alt + Shift, press t then d |
holding Ctrl + ⌘ + Shift, press t then d |
|
Move to the start of the table column |
holding Ctrl + Alt + Shift, press t then i |
holding Ctrl + ⌘ + Shift, press t then i |
|
Move to the end of the table column |
holding Ctrl + Alt + Shift, press t then k |
holding Ctrl + ⌘ + Shift, press t then k |
|
Move to the next table column |
holding Ctrl + Alt + Shift, press t then b |
holding Ctrl + ⌘ + Shift, press t then b |
|
Move to the previous table column |
holding Ctrl + Alt + Shift, press t then v |
holding Ctrl + ⌘ + Shift, press t then v |
|
Move to the start of the table row |
holding Ctrl + Alt + Shift, press t then j |
holding Ctrl + ⌘ + Shift, press t then j |
|
Move to the end of the table row |
holding Ctrl + Alt + Shift, press t then l |
holding Ctrl + ⌘ + Shift, press t then l |
|
Move to the next table row |
holding Ctrl + Alt + Shift, press t then m |
holding Ctrl + ⌘ + Shift, press t then m |
|
Move to the previous table row |
holding Ctrl + Alt + Shift, press t then g |
holding Ctrl + ⌘ + Shift, press t then g |
|
Exit table |
holding Ctrl + Alt + Shift, press t then e |
holding Ctrl + ⌘ + Shift, press t then e |
|
Move to the next table |
holding Ctrl + Alt + Shift, press n then t |
holding Ctrl + ⌘ + Shift, press n then t |
|
Move to the previous table |
holding Ctrl + Alt + Shift, press p then t |
holding Ctrl + ⌘ + Shift, press p then t |
Other tools and navigation with Google Doc Keyboard Shortcuts
|
Other tools and navigation |
Windows |
Mac |
|
Open spelling/grammar |
Ctrl + Alt + x F7 |
⌘ + Options + x F7 |
|
Open dictionary |
Ctrl + Shift + y |
⌘ + Options + Y |
|
Word count |
Ctrl + Shift + c |
⌘ + Shift + c |
|
Page up |
Page Up |
Page Up |
|
Page down |
Page Down |
Page Down |
|
Insert or move to header |
Holding Ctrl + Alt, press o then h |
Holding ⌘ + Options, Press O the h |
|
Insert or move to footer |
Holding Ctrl + Alt, press o then f |
Holding ⌘ + Options, Press O the f |
Google Docs Productivity Hacks
The following hacks will make your Google Docs experience even better, efficient, and streamlined:
- Templates: Use Google Docs’ over 300 templates to get started on different types of documents.
- Work offline: You can view and edit documents even when you’re offline (not connected to the Internet connection) by enabling the offline editing mode.
- Create shortcuts & bookmarks: Create shortcuts and bookmarks for your new documents, frequently visited docs, and Google Docs home.
- Save as different file types: If you want to save the documents on your PC or mac, you can use different file types. Instead of converting docs to different file types, you just simply change it to HTML, RTF, PDG, ODT, PDF, etc., whenever you save it.
Tips for Collaboration on Google Docs
One of the great things about Google Docs is its ability to allow file sharing and collaboration on projects. Learn how to make the most of the Google docs collaboration with some of the features here:
- Shared folders. Create one folder and share it with team members, colleagues, or family. Everyone can drag and drop items from other folders to the shared folder.
- Privacy. You can choose to have documents published publicly or privately. Similarly, when you share a document with people, you cna choose whether they cna edit, video or suggest.
- Share, don’t email: In Google docs, instead of emailing documents back and forth, you cna just type in the email addresses of people you’d like to share your Google document with, and they’ll be sent an editable, web copy of the document.
- Collaborate. More than one person can make changes simultaneously on Google Docs. You and your teammates/classmates/colleagues can log into the same document simultaneously and make edits.
- Share documents. Group documents together and save them into a single file, then share them with coworkers, teams, students, etc.
- Invite mailing lists as collaborators. You can share a document in Google docs with all members of your email mailing lists.
- Data validation. Make sure everyone is entering data into the spreadsheet the same way by controlling data validation settings.
- Allow people to edit without signing in. Anyone, with or without a Google account, can sign in and edit your piece.
- Change ownership. Switch ownership of Google docs as project leaders change.
Conclusion
Google Docs is a great alternative to Microsoft word. There is more to do with Google docs. Use Google Docs keyboard shortcuts for easy, faster work and productivity. Ensure you master and know what each shortcut means before applying or just undo (Ctrl + z) if you make a mistake. For a complete list of the Google Docs keyboard shortcuts, press Ctrl + /.
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