Quick answer: Save time in Microsoft Word with keyboard shortcuts for editing, formatting and navigation. Ctrl+C / Command+C copies, Ctrl+V / Command+V pastes, Ctrl+Z / Command+Z undoes, and Ctrl+S / Command+S saves. The complete reference below compares Windows and Mac commands; some shortcuts are platform-specific.
Most useful Microsoft Word keyboard shortcuts
Many basic Mac shortcuts use Command where Windows uses Ctrl, but this is not a universal rule. Check the table and your Word version for platform-specific differences.
| To do this | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Open a document. | Ctrl+O | ⌘+O |
| Create a new document. | Ctrl+N | ⌘+N |
| Save the document. | Ctrl+S | ⌘+S |
| Close the document. | Ctrl+W | ⌘+W |
| Cut the selected content to the Clipboard. | Ctrl+X | ⌘+X |
| Copy the selected content to the Clipboard. | Ctrl+C | ⌘+C |
| Paste the contents of the Clipboard. | Ctrl+V | ⌘+V |
| Select all document content. | Ctrl+A | ⌘+A |
| Apply bold formatting to text. | Ctrl+B | ⌘+B |
| Apply italic formatting to text. | Ctrl+I | ⌘+I |
| Apply underline formatting to text. | Ctrl+U | ⌘+U |
| Decrease the font size by 1 point. | Ctrl+[ | ⌘+[ |
| Increase the font size by 1 point. | Ctrl+] | ⌘+] |
| Center the text. | Ctrl+E | ⌘+E |
| Align the text to the left. | Ctrl+L | ⌘+L |
| Align the text to the right. | Ctrl+R | ⌘+R |
| Cancel a command. | Esc | Esc |
| Undo the previous action. | Ctrl+Z | ⌘+Z |
| Redo the previous action, if possible. | Ctrl+Y | ⌘+Y or Shift+⌘+Z |
| Adjust the zoom magnification. | Alt+W, Q, then tab to desired zoom | – |
| Split the document window. | Ctrl+Alt+S | – |
| Remove the document window split. | Alt+Shift+C or Ctrl+Alt+S | – |
Accuracy note: Function keys F1–F4 are not universal substitutes for Cut, Copy, Paste or Undo on a Mac. Those earlier entries have been removed. Some Word shortcuts can be reassigned or intercepted by macOS; use the application menu when a shortcut differs.
Start with These Everyday Shortcuts
Copy: Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command+C (Mac). Paste: Ctrl+V or Command+V. Save: Ctrl+S or Command+S. Find: Ctrl+F or Command+F. Undo: Ctrl+Z or Command+Z. These are useful in most desktop versions of Word.
Why Some Shortcuts Differ on Mac
Replacing Ctrl with Command works for many basic editing actions, but not all Word features. Mac function keys, macOS shortcuts, keyboard layouts and Word for the web can behave differently. When in doubt, check the menu command in your installed version.
Navigation and formatting shortcuts worth learning
Use Ctrl+F (Windows) or Command+F (Mac) to find text. For paragraph alignment, use Ctrl+L / Command+L to align left and Ctrl+E / Command+E to center. For a manual page break, use Ctrl+Enter on Windows; on Mac, use Command+Return. Keyboard shortcuts may differ in Word for the web and across keyboard layouts.
Troubleshooting Keyboard Shortcuts
If a shortcut does nothing, click the document editing area, confirm the keyboard language, and check whether another app or system setting intercepts the keys. For Word on the web, browser shortcuts can take precedence.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Command+Y not redo on my Mac? Try Shift+Command+Z or choose Edit > Redo. The available shortcut can vary by version and system configuration.
Do these shortcuts work in Word for the web? Many common shortcuts do, but your browser may intercept some combinations. Check the Word for the web keyboard shortcuts help page for your platform.
Where can I find table-specific shortcuts? See our Microsoft Word table keyboard shortcuts guide for navigating and editing tables.
Related Posts
C P Gupta is a YouTuber and Blogger. He is expert in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. His YouTube channel @pickupbrain is very popular and has crossed 9.9 Million Views.