Make Friends with Keyboard Shortcuts

You can save time using shortcut keys. The most common and important editing commands, of course, are: Ctrl+C, Ctrl+X, and Ctrl+V. Ctrl+C will copy the selected/highlighted text; Ctrl+V will paste your text; Ctrl+X cuts or erases the selected text. But these are just the tips of the iceberg! There are plenty of keyboard shortcuts that come in very handy, and once committed to memory, make our computing life easier. Here are a few:

Ctrl+A – For any editing or formatting task, your document will have to be highlighted/selected. Use this combination to quickly select your entire document or the web page that you are viewing.

Ctrl+S – Save your document by using this pair.

Ctrl+P – Will conjure up the print dialog box.

Shift+Delete: Tired of emptying your Recycle Bin? Using Shift+Delete will delete an item without putting it in the Recycle Bin. Watch what you delete using this dynamic duo because once deleted you won’t be able to retrieve the deleted item from your Recycle Bin!

Alt+Tab - Pressing this combination allows you to switch between the programs that are running. You can go through all running programs if you continue to hold the Alt key down and tap the Tab key. Then when you get to the program you want, release both buttons and the desired program will come in the forefront.

Alt+Enter - You can access the Properties dialog box of any file or folder by highlighting a file/ folder and pressing Alt-Enter.

Ctrl+F – To find a particular word or phrase on a Web site or on any Microsoft Office document, just press Ctrl+F and the Find dialog box will appear.

Alt+F4 - Use this combination to quickly close a program or window.

Ctrl+Z – Used together will activate the Undo command! Use this duo to undo any errors you may have made while working on any of the Microsoft Office programs or performing any Windows tasks. It can undo only the last action you took. To activate Re-do, immediately press Ctrl-Z again.

F1 – Use this key to summon help! Whether you are working with Microsoft Word or Excel or you are in your Documents folder, pressing F1 will open the help menu for that particular program.

F2 – Rename a file/folder by opening your Documents folder and selecting/highlighting the file/folder, then press F2. The existing name will get selected and you can type a new name.

Microsoft Office 2007 has made it easier for us to use the shortcuts keys. You don't even need to memorize them!
Whether you are using Word, Excel or PowerPoint, just hold down the Alt key and lo and behold! numbers appear by the Quick Access toolbar and letters beside the Office button and the ribbon tabs. Pressing the matching number or letter on your keyboard will let you access commands on the Quick Access toolbar or on the ribbon.
Give that mouse a rest!

- Rina B.

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