• 3-minute read
  • 28th September 2019

A Guide to Shortcuts in Google Docs

Google Docs is a brilliant app for writing for formatting documents. And to make the most of this program, you’ll want to learn a few keyboard shortcuts.

These allow you to bypass the sometimes-tricky menu systems, making the writing process quicker and more efficient. With no further ado, then, here’s our guide to crucial shortcuts in Google Docs for PC and Mac computers.

Function Shortcuts in Google Docs

Some of the most useful shortcuts in Google Docs cover common actions, such as cutting and pasting text. These can save a lot of time if you use some commands more often than others. To use any of the shortcuts below, simply hold down the keys indicated all at once.

FunctionPC ShortcutMac Shortcut
UndoCtrl + ZCommand + Z
RedoCtrl + Shift + ZCommand + Shift + Z
CopyCtrl + CCommand + C
CutCtrl + XCommand + X
PasteCtrl + VCommand + V
Paste without formattingCtrl + Shift + VCommand + Shift + V
Copy formatting onlyCtrl + Alt + CCommand + Option + C
Paste formatting onlyCtrl + Alt + VCommand + Option + V
Clear formattingCtrl +Command +
Insert/edit linkCtrl + KCommand + K
Select allCtrl + ACommand + A
FindCtrl + FCommand + F
Find and replaceCtrl + HCommand + Shift + H
Open a saved documentCtrl + OCommand + O
Insert commentCtrl + Alt + MCommand + Option + A
Insert footnoteCtrl + Alt +FCommand + Option + F
Repeat last actionCtrl + YCommand + Y
See common shortcutsCtrl + /Command + /
Open revisions historyCtrl + Alt + Shift + HCommand + Option + Shift + H

Formatting Shortcuts

The formatting shortcuts in Google Docs control how text appears in a document. If you use any of the following options frequently (e.g. while working to a style guide), try to remember the shortcuts.

Formatting

PC Shortcut

Mac Shortcut

Bold

Ctrl + B

Command + B

Italics

Ctrl + I

Command + I

Underline

Ctrl + U

Command + U

Strikethrough

Alt + Shift + 5

Command + Shift + X

Superscript

Ctrl + .

Command + .

Subscript

Ctrl + ,

Command + ,

Increase font size

Ctrl + >

Command + Shift + >

Decrease font size

Ctrl + <

Command + Shift + <

Centre align

Ctrl + Shift + E

Command + Shift + E

Left align

Ctrl + Shift + L

Command + Shift + L

Right align

Ctrl + Shift + R

Command + Shift + R

Justify text

Ctrl + Shift + J

Command + Shift + J

Increase indentation

Ctrl + ]

Command + ]

Decrease indentation

Ctrl + [

Command + [

Numbered list

Ctrl + Shift + 7

Command + Shift + 7

Bullet points

Ctrl + Shift + 8

Command + Shift + 8

Apply Heading 1

Ctrl + Alt + 1

Command + Option + 1

Apply Heading 2

Ctrl + Alt + 2

Command + Option + 2

Apply Heading 3

Ctrl + Alt + 3

Command + Option + 3

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