Our Ergo Works team in Palo Alto, CA is always thinking of strategies to improve the ergonomic health of heavy computer users. Your mouse can take more time and be more painful to use than your keyboard. Shortcuts are a great way to use your mouse less often. We compiled the following keyboard shortcuts from Apple Support and Windows Support. We hope these shortcuts help you avoid aches and pains while working.

Mac Keyboard Shortcuts:

• Command-X: Cut and copy.
• Command-C: Copy. This shortcut works for files in Finder as well.
• Command-V: Paste the items that you’ve cut or copied. This shortcut works for files in Finder as well.
• Command-Z: Undo.
• Shift-Command-Z: Redo reverses the undo command.
• Command-A: Select all.
• Command-F: Find. Either within the open document or open the Find window.
• Command-G: Find the next instance of the item previously found.
• Shift-Command-G: To find the previous instance.
• Command-H: Hide the window that you’re using.
• Command-M: Minimize the window that you’re using.
• Command-O: Open. Either an item that you’ve already selected or an option to select a file to open.
• Command-P: Print.
• Command-S: Save.
• Command-T: Open a new tab.
• Command-W: Close the window that you’re using.
• Option-Command-Esc: Force quit an app.
• Command–Space bar: Show or hide the Spotlight search bar.
• Control–Command–Space bar: Show the Character Viewer. Here you can choose symbols like emoji.
• Control-Command-F: Use the app in full screen, if possible.
• Space bar: Preview the selected item with Quick look.
• Command-Tab: Switch to your next most recently used app.
• Shift-Command-5: In macOS Mojave, take a screenshot or make a screen recording. Use Shift-Command-3 or Shift-Command-4 to take screenshots on earlier macOS versions.
• Shift-Command-N: Create a new folder in the Finder.
• Command-Comma (,): Open preferences for the app you’re using.

Windows Keyboard Shortcuts:

• Ctrl + X: Cut.
• Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert): Copy.
• Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert): Paste.
• Ctrl + Z: Undo.
• Alt + Tab: Switch to other open apps.
• Alt + F4: Close the app that you’re currently using.
• Windows logo key + L: Lock your PC.
• Windows logo key + D: Display and hide the desktop.
• F2: Rename the selected item.
• F3: Search in File Explorer.
• F4: View the address bar in File Explorer.
• F5: Refresh the window you’re using.
• F6: Cycle through screen elements.
• F10: Activate the Menu bar in the app you’re using.
• Alt + F8: Show your password as you’re signing in.
• Alt + Esc: Cycle through apps and documents in the order that you used them.
• Alt + underlined letter: Perform the command for that letter.
• Alt + Enter: Display properties for the selected document or app.
• Alt + Spacebar: Open the shortcut menu for the window you’re using
• Alt + Left arrow: Go back.
• Alt + Right arrow: Go forward.
• Alt + Page Up: Move up one screen.
• Alt + Page Down: Move down one screen.
• Ctrl + F4: Close the document you’re on.
• Ctrl + A: Select all in a document or window.

Ergo Works® in Palo Alto, CA is your ergonomic expert. To learn more about strategies to improve your ergonomic health, contact us. We can help you create a safe and healthy work environment. Our team was developed to combat ergonomic concerns among heavy computer users. Schedule any of our three levels of Ergonomic Evaluations to begin your ergonomic health journey.