I’ve been using Word for years – decades even. I want to create content, not fix formatting errors, figure out how to add special text, or convince it to number the pages the way I want. There are many tips and tricks that keep Word from getting the better of me.
Keyboard shortcuts have been invaluable Here are some of my favorites (and work pretty much anywhere, not just Word):
- Copy: Control-C (Win), Command-C (Mac)
- Paste: Control-V (Win), Command-V (Mac)
- Cut: Control-X (Win), Command-X (Mac)
- Select All: Control-A (Win), Command-A (Mac)
- Undo: Control-Z (Win), Command-Z (Mac)
- Redo: Control-Y (Win), Command-Y (Mac)
- Save: Control-S (Win), Command-S (Mac)
- Find: Control-F (Win), Command-F (Mac)
This is just the start. Here are more examples of keyboard shortcuts.
Also, special to Mac users – you don’t have to use Command when you are using Word or any other Office program. You can use Control instead if you like.
A few more tips:
- You can easily save any Word document as a PDF (Mac and Windows).
- What’s the easiest way to edit a PDF document? Open it directly into Word. Learn more: Convert PDF to Word
- Need to change a text to the right case quickly? There’s a button in the home ribbon that will help you to change capitalization.
- Need to type §? Here’s another keyboard shortcut: Mac: option-6; Windows is a bit trickier.
And I just learned this one: You can convert text to small caps instantly – Mac: command-shift-K, Windows: control-shift-K. Stay tuned for the next installment of “Did You Know,” coming soon!