The Ultimate Guide for Computer Shortcut Keys for Competitive Exams
Whether you are preparing for SSC CGL, CHSL, IBPS PO, RRB NTPC, or JKSSB, the Computer Awareness section is often the tie-breaker. Examiners love asking about confusing keys. This guide covers most of the shortcuts and essential formulas asked in recent papers.
Note: In this blog Shortcuts like Ctrl + L/R/E means it is Ctrl+L, Ctrl+R and Ctrl+E . They are grouped together for faster memorization.
1. The "Universal" Basics (Works Everywhere)
These are the foundational keys that work across Windows, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. You likely know these, but ensure you don't confuse them.
| Shortcut Key | Function | Memory Trick |
|---|---|---|
Ctrl + A | Select All | A for All |
Ctrl + C | Copy | C for Copy |
Ctrl + X | Cut | X looks like scissors ✂️ |
Ctrl + V | Paste | V points down (Insert here) |
Ctrl + Z | Undo | Zig-zag back in time |
Ctrl + Y | Redo | Re-do the action |
Ctrl + S | Save | S for Save |
Ctrl + P | P for Print | |
Ctrl + F | Find | F for Find |
Ctrl + N | New File/Document | N for New |
Ctrl + O | Open Options/File | O for Open |
Ctrl + W | Close Document | W for Withdraw/Close |
Delete | Move to Recycle Bin | Temporary Delete |
Shift + Delete | Permanent Delete Exam Fav | Bypasses Recycle Bin |
2. Function Keys (F1 - F12) Decoding
This is the most unstructured part in most books. Here is exactly what each key does across different platforms.
| Key | Primary Function | Specific Use Cases |
|---|---|---|
| F1 | Help | Opens Help menu in almost every software. |
| F2 | Rename / Edit | Renames file (Windows); Edits active cell (Excel). |
| F3 | Search | Opens search bar in Explorer/Browsers. |
| F4 | Repeat / Close | Repeat action (Word); Alt + F4: Closes active window. |
| F5 | Refresh / Go To | Refreshes Page; Go to cell (Excel); Starts PPT Slideshow. |
| F6 | Address Bar | Highlights URL bar in browsers. |
| F7 | Spelling & Grammar | Checks spelling in Word/Excel. |
| F8 | Safe Mode | Used during Boot (Startup). |
| F9 | Recalculate | Refreshes formulas in Excel. |
| F10 | Menu Bar | Shift + F10: Same as Right-Click. |
| F11 | Full Screen / Chart | Full screen (Browsers); Create Chart (Excel). |
| F12 | Save As | Opens "Save As" dialog box in Word/Excel. |
3. Microsoft Word: Editing & Formatting
Examiners focus on how to move text and change styles without using the mouse.
Alignment & Paragraphs
| Shortcut | Function |
|---|---|
Ctrl + L / R / E | Align Left, Right, Center |
Ctrl + J | Justify (Align both sides evenly) |
Ctrl + M | Indent Paragraph |
Ctrl + T | Hanging Indent |
Ctrl + 1 / 2 / 5 | Single / Double / 1.5 Line Spacing |
Ctrl + 0 | Add/Remove 12pt space before paragraph |
Ctrl + Space | Reset/Clear Formatting to default font |
Ctrl + Shift + * | Show/Hide Non-printing characters |
Advanced Styling & Navigation Must Know
- Ctrl + B / I / U: Bold, Italic, Underline.
- Ctrl + D: Open Font Options window.
- Ctrl + K: Insert Hyperlink (K for Link).
- Shift + F3: Change Case (Toggle between UPPER, lower, and Sentence case).
- Ctrl + G / H: Find and Replace options.
- Ctrl + Enter: Page Break (Start new page instantly).
- Ctrl + Shift + > / < : Increase/Decrease Font Size.
- Ctrl + [ / ] : Decrease/Increase Font Size (+1 point).
- Ctrl + = : Subscript (e.g., CO2).
- Ctrl + Shift + + : Superscript (e.g., X2).
- Ctrl + Alt + 1 / 2 / 3: Change text to Heading 1, 2, or 3.
- Ctrl + Home / End: Move to Beginning / End of document.
- Ctrl + ← / →: Move one word left/right.
- Ctrl + ↑ / ↓: Move to beginning / end of paragraph.
- Alt + Shift + D: Insert Current Date.
- Ctrl + Shift + C / V: Format Painter (Copy/Paste Formatting).
4. Microsoft Excel: Data, Navigation & Formatting
Worksheet Management
| Shortcut | Function |
|---|---|
Alt + Shift + F1 | Insert New Worksheet |
Ctrl + Page Up/Down | Move between Excel Worksheets |
Ctrl + Tab | Switch between open Excel Files |
Ctrl + F9 / F10 | Minimize / Maximize Window |
Data Entry & Formatting
- Ctrl + Space: Select Full Column.
- Shift + Space: Select Full Row.
- Ctrl + 9: Hide Row.
- Ctrl + 0: Hide Column.
- Ctrl + D: Fill Down (Duplicates cell above).
- Ctrl + ' : Insert value of cell above into current cell.
- Alt + = : AutoSum Formula.
- Ctrl + ; : Insert Current Date.
- Ctrl + Shift + : : Insert Current Time.
- Alt + Enter: Wrap Text (New line inside a cell).
- Ctrl + 1: Open "Format Cells" Dialog Box.
- Ctrl + ` : Show/Hide Formulas (Tilde key).
- Ctrl + shift + L : Used to apply and remove Filters
Special Formatting (Ctrl + Shift + ...)
- ! : Format as Number (Comma format).
- $ : Format as Currency.
- % : Format as Percentage.
- # : Format as Date.
- @ : Format as Time.
- ^ : Format as Scientific format.
5. Microsoft PowerPoint: Presentation Skills
⚠️ The "Trap" Question: Remember that Ctrl + N opens a new File/Blank Presentation, while Ctrl + M adds a new Slide in the current file.
- F5: Start Slideshow from Beginning.
- Shift + F5: Start Slideshow from Current Slide.
- Esc: End Slideshow.
- Ctrl + D: Duplicate current Slide or Object.
- Ctrl + G: Group Objects.
- Ctrl + Shift + G: Ungroup Objects.
6. Windows OS Shortcuts (System Level)
These are increasingly common in exams like SSC CGL.
| Shortcut | Function |
|---|---|
Alt + Tab | Switch between open apps |
Alt + Shift + Tab | Switch backwards between open apps |
Alt + Esc | Switch apps on taskbar (without opening window) |
Win + D | Show Desktop (Minimizes all windows) |
Win + M | Minimize all windows |
Win + L | Lock Computer |
Win + E | Open File Explorer (My Computer) |
Win + R | Open Run Command |
Win + U | Open Utility Manager (Ease of Access) |
Alt + Enter | Open Properties of selected item |
Alt + Print Screen | Screenshot of Active Window only |
Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Open Task Manager (Directly) |
Ctrl + Alt + Del | Reboot / Task Manager Options screen |
Shift + F10 | Simulate Right-Click |
Alt + F4 | Close Current Program |
Shift + Bootup | Boot Safe Mode / Bypass System Files |
Win + Shift + S | Take a Screenshot (Snipping Tool) |
7. Web Browser Shortcuts (Chrome/Edge)
- Ctrl + T: New Tab.
- Ctrl + N: New Window.
- Ctrl + Shift + N: New Incognito/Private Window.
- Ctrl + W: Close Current Tab.
- Ctrl + Shift + T: Reopen Closed Tab (Life Saver).
- Ctrl + Tab: Switch to next tab.
- Ctrl + D: Bookmark page.
- Ctrl + H: History.
- Ctrl + J: Open Downloads.
- Ctrl + Shift + Delete: Open "Clear Browsing Data" menu.
8. Vital Excel Formulas (Exam Focus)
Every formula MUST start with an equals sign =.
Math & Counts
=SUM(A1:A5): Adds numbers in the range.=AVERAGE(A1:A5): Finds the mean.=COUNT(Range): Counts cells with Numbers only.=COUNTA(Range): Counts cells that are Not Empty.=MOD(10, 3): Returns Remainder (1).=POWER(2, 3): Calculates 2 to the power of 3 (8).
Text & Logic
=LEN("Hello"): Counts characters (5).=TRIM(" Text "): Removes extra spaces ("Text").=CONCATENATE(A1, B1): Joins two strings together.=UPPER("text"): Converts to UPPERCASE.=NOW(): Returns Current Date & Time.=TODAY(): Returns Current Date only.
Rounding Rules
=ROUND(2.56, 1): Standard rounding (2.6).=CEILING(2.1, 1): Force Round UP (3).=FLOOR(2.9, 1): Force Round DOWN (2).
Did we miss any tricky shortcut? Let us know in the comments below and we will update the list!
