Bill Detwiler: Microsoft Word has been a mainstay of business users for years, and whether you're an IT pro or an end user, word-processing is a part of daily life for many of us.
You probably have some favorite shortcuts to speed you along in Word already, but in today's episode of TR Dojo, I'll show you a few of the lesser-known shortcuts that could make you a Microsoft Word Master.
Before I get started, note that I'm using the Windows version of each shortcut's key combination. If you work on a Mac, you'll need to adjust the shortcut to reflect your OS. Luckily, this isn't too difficult. Simply substituting the Command key (also called the Apple key) when I specify the CTRL key usually works just fine.
With one notable exception. Using Command + Shift + Q on a Mac will log you out.
Now, our first set of shortcuts all deal with text formatting. You may be familiar with using CTRL + U or Command + U to underline text but using
- Control + Shift + D will add a Double underline to the selected text.
If you want to increase the font size without using the tool bar just use:
- Control + Right Bracket increases the size of the selected text by one point.
- Control + Left Bracket decreases the size of the selected text by one point.
Want to make the select text all caps but not retype it? Just use
- Control + Shift + A and you're all set.
You can also control superscript and subscript text through a keyboard shortcut. Just use
- Control + the Equals key to toggle subscripting for selected text.
- Control + Plus key toggles superscripting for selected text.
Our last set of shortcuts all deal with paragraph formatting. You can use:
- Control + Shift + N to apply the Normal style to current paragraph.
- Control + Alt + Numeral One applies Heading 1 style to the current paragraph.
- Control + Alt + Numeral Two applies Heading 2 style to the current paragraph.
- Control + Alt + Numeral Three applies Heading 3 style to the current paragraph.
- Control + Shift + L applies List Bullets. And finally
- Control + 0 (zero) applies or removes the space above the current paragraph.
Now, this list is only a small fraction of the time-saving tips and trick available in our downloads: "60 indispensable Microsoft Word tips" and "Microsoft Word 2003 keyboard shortcuts." I'll link to both documents in the blog notes.
Also, if you're a heavy shortcut user in Word, share your favorite tips and trick in TR Dojo blog.
And as always, for more teachings on your path to becoming an IT Ninja, visit trdojo.techrepublic.com, or you can follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/billdetwiler.
Thanks for visiting the TR Dojo.
