Keyboard Shortcuts Every Writer Should Know

Learn the most useful Microsoft Word and Google Docs shortcuts for writers.

Want to write and edit more efficiently? Learning a few keyboard shortcuts can help you spend less time navigating menus and more time focusing on your manuscript.

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Text Formatting Shortcuts

Bold

Windows (Word, Google Docs): Ctrl + B 

Mac (Word, Google Docs): Command + B

Bold formatting is a staple of technical writing, business communication, academic articles, and online content. For fiction writers, if you regularly add headings, revision notes, or reminders to your drafts, you probably use bold more often than you realize.

Italicize

Windows (Word, Google Docs): Ctrl + I 

Mac (Word, Google Docs): Command + I

Writers use italics constantly for internal thoughts, emphasis, headings, titles, and more. This is one shortcut you'll likely use every day.

Underline

Windows (Word, Google Docs): Ctrl + U

Mac (Word, Google Docs): Command + U

While underlining isn't common in most published works, it can be useful for drafts or web content to add emphasis.

Change Text Case

Windows (Word): Shift + F3 

Mac (Word): fn + Shift + F3

Typed an entire word or heading in all caps by mistake? After highlighting the word(s) in question, this shortcut cycles through lowercase, UPPERCASE, and Title Case without requiring you to retype anything.

Select All

Windows (Word, Google Docs): Ctrl + A 

Mac (Word, Google Docs): Command + A

Select All highlights everything in your document so you can change fonts, adjust font size, or move things around.

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Punctuation Shortcuts

Type an Em Dash (—)

Windows (Word): Windows + Shift + Hyphen (-)

Mac (Word): Option + Shift + Hyphen (-)

Google Docs: Three hyphens (---) + Space

Word AutoFormat (Windows, Mac): Two hyphens (--) between two words (no spaces)

The em dash creates a strong pause or interruption in a sentence. It's a favorite punctuation mark for many fiction and nonfiction writers. Learn more about using em dashes in our tip “How to Use an Em Dash.”

Type an En Dash (–)

Windows (Word): Windows + Hyphen (-)

Mac (Word): Option + Hyphen (-)

Google Docs: Two hyphens + Space

Word AutoFormat (Windows, Mac): One hyphen (-) between two spaces

Use an en dash for ranges, such as page numbers, dates, or scores. It's slightly longer than a hyphen but shorter than an em dash. Check out our tip “What Even Is an En Dash?”

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Revision Shortcuts

Copy and Paste

Copy Windows (Word, Google Docs): Ctrl + C 

Copy Mac (Word, Google Docs): Command + C

Paste Windows (Word, Google Docs): Ctrl + V 

Paste Mac (Word, Google Docs): Command + V

These are two shortcuts you'll use constantly while writing and editing. They make it easy to move, duplicate, and reorganize text throughout your document.

Find

Windows (Word, Google Docs): Ctrl + F

Mac (Word, Google Docs): Command + F

Find allows you to quickly locate words, phrases, character names, or repeated mistakes throughout your document. It's one of the most powerful editing tools available.

Find and Replace

Windows (Word, Google Docs): Ctrl + H

Mac (Word, Google Docs): Command + Shift + H

Need to change a character's name, remove extra spaces, or fix a recurring typo? Find and Replace can update your entire manuscript in seconds.

Undo

Windows (Word, Google Docs): Ctrl + Z

Mac (Word, Google Docs): Command + Z

No shortcut gets more use during a first draft. Undo instantly reverses your last action and can save you from frustration if you make a mistake or accidentally delete text.

Redo

Windows (Word): Ctrl + Y

Windows (Google Docs): Ctrl + Shift + Z

Mac (Word, Google Docs): Command + Shift + Z

Changed your mind after using Undo or deleting a sentence? Redo restores your content.

Toggle Track Changes On/Off

Windows (Word): Ctrl + Shift + E 

Mac (Word): Command + Shift + E

Track Changes records edits, insertions, and deletions so authors and editors can review revisions. It's one of the most important shortcuts for collaborative editing.

Add a Comment

Windows (Word, Google Docs): Ctrl + Alt + M

Mac (Word, Google Docs): Command + Option + M

Comments are perfect for leaving revision notes, questions, or reminders without changing the text itself. They're especially useful when collaborating with editors.

Tally Word Count

Windows (Google Docs): Ctrl + Shift + C

Mac (Google Docs): Command + Shift + C

While Microsoft Word displays word count automatically (in the bottom-left corner), this shortcut lets Google Docs users check their progress instantly.

Save

Windows (Word): Ctrl + S

Mac (Word): Command + S

Most cloud-based applications save automatically, but this shortcut is still worth knowing, even if only for peace of mind.

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Navigation Shortcuts

Jump to Start or End of a Line

Windows (Word, Google Docs): Home / End 

Mac (Word, Google Docs): Command + Left Arrow / Command + Right Arrow

When editing long paragraphs, this shortcut lets you move instantly to the beginning or end of the current line without reaching for the mouse.

Jump to Different Line

Windows (Word, Google Docs): Ctrl + Home / Ctrl + End 

Mac (Word, Google Docs): Command + Up Arrow / Command + Down Arrow

When inspiration strikes, and you need to quickly get back to your paragraph halfway up your page, use this shortcut.

Jump Back to Your Last Edit

Windows (Word): Shift + F5

Mac (Word): Shift + Fn + F5

Working in a long manuscript? This shortcut returns you to the location of your most recent edit, making it easy to pick up where you left off.

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Shortcuts will improve your writing experience in a big way, but you don't need to memorize every shortcut at once. Pick three that solve your biggest frustrations, practice them for a week, and then add a few more. Once they become part of your routine, you'll wonder how you ever wrote without them.