Select All Keyboard Shortcut
Select All applies to the focused editable area, page, object collection or spreadsheet region, not necessarily everything on the screen.
- In Google Docs on Windows: Ctrl + A — Select All
- On a Mac: Cmd + A — Select All
Recorded actions and binding evidence
Windows
Google Docs · Editing
Select All — Select all text in the document
Ctrl + A
· Source: Google Docs keyboard shortcuts
Microsoft Excel · Navigation & Selection
Select All — Select all cells in the current data region, then all cells
Ctrl + A
Windows · Common editing
Select All — Select all items or text in the current context
Ctrl + A
· Source: Microsoft Support — Windows keyboard shortcuts
2 matching shortcut entries
Grouped by application, platform and context.
macOS
macOS · Common editing
Select All — Select all items or text in the current context
Cmd + A
· Source: Apple Support — Mac keyboard shortcuts
Microsoft Excel · Navigation & Selection
Select All — Select all cells in the current data region, then all cells
Cmd + A
Linux
Ubuntu Linux · Common editing
Select All — Select all items or text in the current context
Ctrl + A
· Source: GNOME Help — Useful keyboard shortcuts
Ubuntu Linux · Files App (Nautilus)
Select All — Select all files in the current folder
Ctrl + A
· Source: GNOME Help — Useful keyboard shortcuts
Also works in: Adobe After Effects, Adobe Lightroom, Canva, ChromeOS, Google Slides, Notepad++, Photoshop, Android, iPhone / iOS, Microsoft PowerPoint, Miro, Notion.
Context
Select All applies to the focused editable area, page, object collection or spreadsheet region, not necessarily everything on the screen. Excel selection can expand with repeated commands, while a text editor may select its document. A dialog or search field can receive the keys instead when it has focus.
Use the binding for your application and platform. Custom keymaps, keyboard layouts and intercepted system keys can change the behavior you observe.
Practical checks
- Click the intended document or region first.
- Inspect the selected area before deleting or replacing it.
- Read spreadsheet region notes before applying bulk changes.
Continue your task
- What does Ctrl+A do?
- Google Docs shortcuts
- Microsoft Excel shortcuts
- Adobe After Effects shortcuts
- Microsoft Excel: Windows to Mac
- macOS shortcuts
- Ubuntu Linux shortcuts
Build a shortcut list for the apps you actually use.
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