The best Google Docs keyboard shortcuts

For most commands, press and hold the first key, then the subsequent keys. For example, to copy text, press Ctrl then press c. These shortcuts work when you’re offline.

Common commands

  1. Open common keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl + /. This creates a handy popup where you can browse available commands.
  2. Copy: Ctrl + c
  3. Cut: Ctrl + x
  4. Paste: Ctrl + v
  5. Paste without formatting: Ctrl + Shift + V
  6. Undo action: Ctrl + z
  7. Redo action: Ctrl + Shift + z
  8. Save: Ctrl + s
  9. Find text: Ctrl + f
  10. Find and replace text: Ctrl + h (⌘ + Shift + h on macOS)
  11. Switch to editing: Ctrl + Alt + Shift + z
  12. Switch to suggesting: Ctrl + Alt + Shift + x
  13. Switch to viewing: Ctrl + Alt + Shift + c
  14. Insert page break: Ctrl + Enter
  15. Insert link: Ctrl + k

Text formatting commands

  1. Bold text: Ctrl + b
  2. Italicize text: Ctrl + i
  3. Underline text: Ctrl + u
  4. Strikethrough text: Alt + Shift + 5
  5. Copy text formatting: Ctrl + Alt + c
  6. Paste text formatting: Ctrl + Alt + v
  7. Clear formatting: Ctrl + **
  8. Increase font size: Ctrl + Shift + . (period)
  9. Decrease font size: Ctrl + Shift + , (comma)

Paragraph formatting

  1. Apply heading style: Ctrl + Alt + (1-6). Select the corresponding header number.
  2. Apply normal text style: Ctrl + Alt + 0
  3. Insert numbered list: Ctrl + 7
  4. Insert bulleted list: Ctrl + 8
  5. Align text left: Ctrl + Shift + l
  6. Align text center: Ctrl + Shift + e
  7. Align text right: Ctrl + Shift + r

Comments

  1. Insert Comment: Ctrl + Alt + m
  2. Move to the next comment: Hold Ctrl + Alt, then n + c
  3. Move to the previous comment: Hold Ctrl + Alt, then p + c

Other commands

  1. Open Spell Check: Ctrl + Alt + x (⌘ + Option + x Fn + F7 on macOS)
  2. Switch to Compact Mode: Ctrl + Shift + f
  3. Select all text: Ctrl + a
  4. Check word count: Ctrl + Shift + c
  5. Page up: Ctrl + Up arrow (Fn + Up arrow on macOS)
  6. Page down: Ctrl + Down arrow (Fn + Down arrow on macOS)

Can I use these shortcuts in other Google apps?

These shortcuts are universal across Google’s apps, so you can use these commands to speed up making spreadsheets in Google Sheets. Universal commands (for example, copy and paste) should be the same, and other commands, like inserting comments, should also work. If you’re unsure, check Google’s support page for that app.

Happy learning!