Efficiency is essential in the current digital era. On IBM-compatible computer keyboards, the modifier key Ctrl is located in the lower left and right quadrants of the primary keyboard. Knowing how to use Ctrl with other keys will help you save time and improve productivity. In this article, we’ll discuss what is Ctrl and its usage in the system.
What is Ctrl?
The pronunciation of Ctrl is “control.” On your keyboard, the Ctrl key enables you to execute specific commands or operations. Usually, you may find it in the bottom right or left corner of your keyboard. Combining Ctrl with other keys changes how those keys work, enabling users to swiftly perform various operations.
How Do I Use Ctrl key?
Hold down the Ctrl key and tap another key at the same moment to use it. With Windows’ shortcut keys, we may open any operation quickly. For most apps to launch, the Ctrl key is essential. First, let’s address the category in which it is mandatory to use the Control Key (CTRL).
All Ctrl key Shortcuts
Keys Combination |
Work Procedures |
---|---|
Ctrl + A |
Select All |
Ctrl + B |
Bold the Text |
Ctrl + C |
Copy |
Ctrl + D |
Bookmark the Browser Page |
Ctrl + E |
Display Address bar in Internet Explorer |
Ctrl + F |
Find a Text, File or Folder |
Ctrl + G |
Go To function (MS Word and Excel) |
Ctrl + H |
Open History in Internet Browser |
Ctrl + I |
Make text Italics (MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint) |
Ctrl + J |
Open the Download section in the Internet Browser |
Ctrl + K |
Insert Hyperlinks (MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint) |
Ctrl + L |
Text Justification (MS Word) |
Ctrl + M |
Create New Slides (MS PowerPoint) |
Ctrl + N |
Open New Application Window in Internet Browser |
Ctrl + O |
Open a File |
Ctrl + P |
Print (Document or Picture) |
Ctrl + Q |
Close MS PowerPoint |
Ctrl + R |
Reload the running Page in the Internet Browser |
Ctrl + S |
Save the Document |
Ctrl + T |
Open New Tab in Internet Browser |
Ctrl + U |
Underline the Text |
Ctrl + V |
Paste |
Ctrl + W |
Close a Program, Window, Tab or Document |
Ctrl + X |
Cut any Text, Image or Video |
Ctrl + Y |
Redo the Command |
Ctrl + Z |
Undo the Command |
Ctrl + ‘ |
Copy the Formula from the above cell (MS Excel) |
Ctrl + – |
Zoom out and Decrease the Font size of the Web Page in Internet Explorer |
Ctrl + = |
Zoom in and Increase the Font size of the Web Page in Internet Explorer |
Ctrl + [ |
Decrease Selected text Font size (MS Word and other text editors) |
Ctrl + ] |
Increase Selected text Font size (MS Word and other text editors) |
Ctrl + \ |
Active Cell (MS Excel) |
Ctrl + ; |
Insert Current Date (MS Excel) |
Ctrl + , |
Decrease Highlighted text Font size (MS Word) |
Ctrl + . |
Increase Highlighted text Font size (MS Word) |
Ctrl + / |
Locks and Unlock layers (Adobe Photoshop) |
Ctrl + 0 |
Restore the default Zoom level |
Ctrl + 1 |
Switch to the First tab in a browser |
Ctrl + 2 |
Switch to the Second tab in a browser |
Ctrl + 3 |
Switch to the Third tab in a browser |
Ctrl + 4 |
Switch to the Fourth tab in a browser |
Ctrl + 5 |
Switch to the Fifth tab in a browser |
Ctrl + 6 |
Switch to the Sixth tab in a browser |
Ctrl +7 |
Switch to the Seventh tab in a browser |
Ctrl + 8 |
Switch to the Eighth tab in a browser |
Ctrl + 9 |
Switch to the Last tab in a browser |
Ctrl + Del |
Delete the word to the right cursor |
Ctrl + End |
Moves cursor to the End of a page or document |
Ctrl + Enter |
Autocomplete a URL in an Address bar |
Ctrl + esc |
Open Windows Start menu |
Ctrl + F |
Open Find window |
Ctrl + F1 |
Show and Hide (MS Office programs) |
Ctrl + F2 |
Open Print Preview (MS Word and Excel) |
Ctrl + F3 |
Copy selected items into Spike (MS Word) |
Ctrl + F4 |
Close Active Tab or Window |
Ctrl + F5 |
Hard Refresh in a Browser Window |
Ctrl + F6 |
Go to Workbook (MS Excel) |
Ctrl + F7 |
Move a Window (MS Excel) |
Ctrl + F8 |
Resize Workbook window (MS Excel) |
Ctrl + F9 |
Create a new Field Code (MS Word) |
Ctrl + F10 |
Toggle between Minimized and Maximized Window (MS Excel) |
Ctrl + F11 |
Insert Macro Sheet (MS Excel) |
Ctrl + F12 |
Open a new Document in MS Office programs |
Ctrl + Home |
Moves Cursor to start a page |
Ctrl + Ins |
Copy a selected text |
Ctrl + Space |
Select the entire Column (MS Excel) |
Ctrl + Tab |
Switch between open tabs in the Browser |
Ctrl + ↓ |
Move to the Bottom or Last entry Datasheet |
Ctrl + ↑ |
Move to the Top or First entry Datasheet |
Ctrl + → |
Move one word to the right |
Ctrl + ← |
Move one word to the left |
Also Read
- Windows Shortcut Keys
- Top 100+ Computer Keyboard Shortcut Keys List (A to Z), PDF Available
- General Keyboard Shortcuts For Visual Studio Code
Conclusion
Some issues can occur when users press the wrong shortcut keys on the Windows system. Users can copy and paste text, start new tabs in a web browser, and save files and folders, among other tasks, by just pressing the Ctrl key shortcuts. Using Ctrl to create shortcuts can help to operate more efficiently on the system and save a ton of time.
FAQs on What is Ctrl and How do I use Ctrl
Can users use Ctrl to navigate through tabs in a web browser?
Yes, users can navigate across open tabs forward and backward using the keyboard shortcut keys Ctrl+Tab or Ctrl+Shift+Tab on the majority of online web browsers.
How do I use Ctrl key?
Users need to simply hold down the Ctrl key and tap another key at the same time to use. Users also can copy and paste text, start new tabs in web browser, and save files, among other tasks, by just pressing certain shortcut keys.
Can users create their custom shortcuts using the Ctrl key?
Users might be able to use the preferences or settings menu to make their own unique keyboard shortcuts, depending on the operating system and applications they’re using in the system. See if they can “customize shortcuts” or something like that it will help them to do further tasks.