In many computer programs and operating systems, pressing “Ctrl + L” on the keyboard can perform different functions depending on the context.
If you’re a computer user, you’re likely familiar with keyboard shortcuts. These handy combinations of keys can save time and effort by allowing you to perform tasks quickly and efficiently. One such shortcut is “Ctrl + L”, which can be found on most computer keyboards. But what does “Ctrl + L” actually do? Let’s take a closer look.
- Also referred to as Control L and C-l, Ctrl+L is a shortcut key that varies depending on the program being used. In Microsoft Word, Ctrl+L is used to left align a paragraph.Tip
- On Apple computers, the shortcut to copy is the Command key+L keys.How to use the Ctrl+L
- To use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+L, press and hold either Ctrl key on the keyboard and while continuing to hold, press the “l” key with either hand.Note
- On Apple computer keyboards, the Ctrl key is labeled as “control.”Ctrl+L in an Internet browser
- All major Internet browsers (e.g., Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera) pressing Ctrl+L brings the address bar (location bar / omnibox) into focus.Ctrl+L in Audacity
- In Audacity, the Ctrl+L shortcut key silents highlighted sections of an audio track.Ctrl+L in Excel and other spreadsheet programs
- In Microsoft Excel and all other spreadsheet programs, pressing Ctrl+L opens the Create Table dialog box.Note
- If you’re editing the contents of a cell and press Ctrl+L, nothing will happen.Ctrl+L in Microsoft PowerPoint
- In Microsoft PowerPoint, the Ctrl+L shortcut key aligns the line or selected text to the left side of the slide.Ctrl+L in Word and other word processors
- In Microsoft Word and other word processor programs, pressing Ctrl+L left aligns the current paragraph.Using Ctrl+L in PuTTY
- With PuTTY, the Ctrl+L keyboard shortcut clears the screen like the clear command.List of Common Control Key Shortcuts
- Ctrl+A These two keys will select all text or other objects.
- Ctrl+B Bold highlighted text.
- Ctrl+C Copy any selected text or another object.
- Ctrl+D Bookmark an open web page or open font window in Microsoft Word.
- Ctrl+E Center text.
- Ctrl+F Open find window.
- Ctrl+G Open Find in a browser and word processors.
- Ctrl+H Open the Find and Replace in Notepad, Microsoft Word, and WordPad
- Ctrl+I Italicize text.
- Ctrl+J View downloads in browsers and set justify alignment in Microsoft Word.
- Ctrl+K Create a hyperlink for the highlighted text in Microsoft Word and many HTML editors.
- Ctrl+L Select address bar in a browser or left align text in a word processor.
- Ctrl+M Indent selected text in word processors and other programs.
- Ctrl+N Create a new page or document.
- Ctrl+O Open a file in most programs.
- Ctrl+P Open a print window to print the page you’re viewing.
- Ctrl+R Reload page in browser or right align text in a word processor.
- Ctrl+S Save the document or file.
- Ctrl+T Create a new tab in an Internet browser or adjust tabs in word processors.
- Ctrl+U Underline selected text.
- Ctrl+V Paste any text or another object that has been copied.
- Ctrl+W Close open tab in a browser or close a document in Word.
- Ctrl+X Cut selected text or another object.
- Ctrl+Y These keys will redo any undo action.
- Ctrl+End Moves cursor to the end of a document instead of end of the line.
- Ctrl+Z Pressing these two keys will undo any action.
- Ctrl+Esc Open the Windows Start Menu.
- Ctrl+Tab Switch between open tabs in browsers or other tabbed programs.
- Ctrl+Shift+Tab Will go backwards (right to left).
- Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Z Redo
- [Ctrl+[] Decrease font size
- Ctrl+] Increase font size
- Ctrl+= Toggle font subscript
- Ctrl+⇧ Shift+= Toggle font superscript
- Ctrl+End Bottom(end of document or window)
- Ctrl+Home Top (start of document or window)
- Ctrl+Insert Copy
- Ctrl+PgDn Next tab
- Ctrl+PgUp Previous tab
- Ctrl+Tab ↹ Next window or tab
- Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Tab ↹ Previous window or tab
- Ctrl+← Previous word
- Ctrl+→ Next word
- Ctrl+Delete Delete next word
- Ctrl+←Backspace Delete previous word
- Ctrl+Alt+←Backspace Restart X11
- Ctrl+Alt+↑ Rotate screen right-side up
- Ctrl+Alt+↓ Rotate screen upside down
- Ctrl+Alt+← Rotate screen left
- Ctrl+Alt+→ Rotate screen right
- Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Esc Open task manager
- Ctrl+Alt+Del Reboot; Open task manager or session options20 Common Microsoft Word Shortcut Keys
- Ctrl+W → Close the active window / document.
- Ctrl+Z → Undo an action.
- Ctrl+Y → Redo the last action or repeat an action.
- Ctrl+S → Save a document.
- Ctrl+P → Print a document.
- Ctrl+K → Insert a hyperlink.
- Alt+Left → Arrow Go back one page.
- Alt+Right → Arrow Go forward one page.
- Ctrl+C → Copy selected text or graphics to the Office Clipboard.
- Ctrl+V → Paste the most recent addition to the Office Clipboard.
- Ctrl+Shift+A → Format all letters as capitals.
- Ctrl+B → Applies or removes bold formatting.
- Ctrl+I → Applies or removes italic formatting.
- Ctrl+= → Apply subscript formatting (automatic spacing).
- Alt, F, A → Save As.
- Alt, S, T, I → Insert Table of Contents.
- Alt, S, T, R → Remove Table of Contents.
- Alt, W, F → Full Screen Reading – View > Document Views > Full Screen Reading.
- Alt, W, R → Ruler. View > Show/Hide > Ruler.
- Alt, F, X → Exit Word.Other Common Keyboard Shortcuts → Action
Windows key → Open or close Start Menu.
Windows key + A → Open Action center.
Windows key + C → Open Cortana in listening mode.
Windows key + D → Display or hide the desktop.
Windows key + E → Open File Explorer.
Windows key + G → Open Game bar when a game is open.
Windows key + H → Open the Share charm.
Windows key + I → Open Settings.
Windows key + K → Open the Connect quick action.
Windows key + L → Lock your PC or switch accounts.
Windows key + M → Minimize all windows.
Windows key + R → Open Run dialog box.
Windows key + S → Open Search.
Windows key + U → Open Ease of Access Center.
Windows key + X → Open Quick Link menu.
Windows key + Number → Open the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
Windows key + Left arrow key → Snap app windows left.
Windows key + Right arrow key → Snap app windows right.
Windows key + Up arrow key → Maximize app windows.
Windows key + Down arrow key → Minimize app windows.
Windows key + Comma → Temporarily peek at the desktop.
Windows key + Ctrl + D → Add a virtual desktop.
Windows key + Ctrl + Left or Right arrow → Switch between virtual desktops.
Windows key + Ctrl + F4 → Close current virtual desktop.
Windows key + Enter → Open Narrator.
Windows key + Home → Minimize all but the active desktop window (restores all windows on second stroke).
Windows key + PrtScn → Capture a screenshot and save in Screenshots folder.
Windows key + Shift + Up arrow → Stretch the desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen.
Windows key + Tab → Open Task view.
Windows key + “+” key → Zoom in using the magnifier.
Windows key + “-” key → Zoom out using the magnifier.
Ctrl + Shift + Esc → Open Task Manager.
Alt + Tab → Switch between open apps.
Alt + Left arrow key → Go back.
Alt + Right arrow key → Go forward.
Alt + Page Up → Move up one screen.
Alt + Page down → Move down one screen.
Ctrl + Alt +Tab → View open apps
Ctrl + C → Copy selected items to clipboard.
Ctrl + X → Cut selected items.
Ctrl + V → Paste content from clipboard.
Ctrl + A → Select all content.
Ctrl + Z → Undo an action.
Ctrl + Y → Redo an action.
Ctrl + D → Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin.
Ctrl + Esc → Open the Start Menu.
Ctrl + Shift → Switch the keyboard layout.
Ctrl + Shift + Esc → Open Task Manager.
Ctrl + F4 → Close the active window.