MS Word Keyboard Shortcuts!

MS Word Keyboard Shortcuts!

By Suparna Das

What is Microsoft Word?

Microsoft Word is a popular word-processing program developed by Microsoft Corporation. It is part of the Microsoft Office suite of software applications and is used to create, edit, format, and print documents such as letters, reports, resumes, and more. With Microsoft Word, users can easily add text, images, tables, charts, and other elements to their documents, and they can also use a variety of formatting tools to make their documents look more professional and visually appealing. Word also offers features such as spell-check, grammar-check, and thesaurus to help users improve the quality of their written work.

Most Important Uses of MS Word

Microsoft Word is a versatile word-processing software that has numerous uses in various fields. Some of the common uses of MS Word are:

  1. Creating and formatting documents: Word is used for creating, editing, and formatting various types of documents, such as letters, memos, reports, essays, resumes, and more.

  2. Writing and editing: Word has a range of features that help users write and edit their documents, including spell-check, grammar-check, thesaurus, and more.

  3. Creating tables and charts: Word can be used to create tables and charts to represent data and information in a visual format.

  4. Designing and formatting: Word offers various formatting and design tools to help users create professional-looking documents. Users can choose from a range of fonts, colors, and styles to enhance the appearance of their documents.

  5. Collaboration: Word also enables users to collaborate on documents with other users in real time. Multiple users can work on the same document simultaneously, and changes made by one user can be seen by others in real time.

  6. Printing and sharing: Word documents can be easily printed or shared electronically through email or other digital platforms.

  7. Creating templates: Users can create templates in Word to save time and effort when creating new documents. Templates can be customized to suit the specific needs of the user or organization.

Need of MS Word Shortcut Keys

Microsoft Word shortcuts can be a valuable tool for users for several reasons, including:

  1. Increased productivity: Using keyboard shortcuts in Microsoft Word can save time and help users work more efficiently. Shortcuts can allow users to perform tasks more quickly than if they were using the mouse to navigate through menus and options.

  2. Ease of use: Memorizing and using shortcuts can help users navigate Word more easily, particularly for those who use the program frequently. This can also be helpful for users with mobility or accessibility issues who may have difficulty using a mouse.

  3. Consistency: Keyboard shortcuts are consistent across all versions of Microsoft Word, which means that once a user learns a shortcut, they can use it regardless of the version of Word they are using.

  4. Better Focus: Using keyboard shortcuts can help users stay focused on their work by reducing the need to switch back and forth between the mouse and keyboard.

  5. Health Benefits: Using shortcuts instead of using the mouse can reduce strain on the hand and wrist, which can be particularly helpful for those who use Word for long periods.

Few Important Shortcuts in Word

  1. How to make a word/sentence bold?

    Select the words and press CTRL + B for making the text bold.

  2. How to open the font preference window?

    Press CTRL + D to open the font preference window which is used to adjust the font, style, size, color etc.

  3. How to align text in MS Word?

    Select the sentence and press CTRL + E for aligning the text.

  4. How to make a word/sentence italic?

    Select the sentence and press CTRL + I for converting the text into italics.

  5. How to justify text to the right side?

    Select the text and press CTRL + R for justifying the text to the right side of the page.

  6. How to justify text to the left side?

    Select the text and press CTRL + L for justifying the text to the left side of the page.

  7. How to indent a paragraph in MS Word?

    Select the paragraph and press CTRL + M to indent it.

  8. How to insert a hyperlink in MS Word?

    Press CTRL + K to insert a hyperlink.

  9. How to set the chosen text to a superscript?

    Select the text and press CTRL + SHIFT + = to convert it into a superscript.

  10. How to set the chosen text to a subscript?

    Select the text and press CTRL + = to convert it into a subscript.

By using MS Word shortcut keys, users can save time and increase productivity. They can work more efficiently and quickly, without interrupting their thought process or workflow. This is especially important for those who work with Microsoft Word on a regular basis, such as writers, editors, and office workers.

In addition, MS Word shortcut keys can also improve accessibility and reduce physical strain. For individuals with mobility impairments, using a mouse can be difficult or even impossible. By relying on keyboard shortcuts, they can access all the features of Microsoft Word without having to use a mouse.

In summary, MS Word shortcut keys are crucial because they provide a faster, more efficient, and more accessible way to work with Microsoft Word. By mastering these keyboard shortcuts, users can become more productive and achieve better results in less time. Happy shortcutting!