Editing Shortcuts

Compare Editing keyboard shortcuts across Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, with actions, key combinations, and usage notes.

How to use this reference

Use this category reference to compare the same kind of task across your devices. Start with the section for your operating system, read the action and description, and try the shortcut in an appropriate application. Keys joined with a plus sign are held together; alternatives let you choose the combination that works on your keyboard. A gesture requires a compatible touchpad or touch screen rather than a physical keyboard.

Before practicing, check which window has focus. Text fields, browser tabs, terminal sessions, and system dialogs can interpret the same keys differently. Save any open work before testing commands that close a window, delete content, or change system settings. Accessibility commands may need to be enabled in settings first, and a laptop may require the Fn key for function keys. If a combination is intercepted by an application or a custom keymap, consult its built-in help and your operating system settings. Follow the full platform guide for related commands and additional context.

Windows 11

View full Windows 11 guide

Action	Shortcut	Description
Cut	`Ctrl` + `X`	Cut the selected item to the clipboard
Copy	`Ctrl` + `C`	Copy the selected item to the clipboard
Paste	`Ctrl` + `V`	Paste the clipboard contents at the cursor
Paste as Plain Text	`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `V`	Paste without formatting (app-dependent)
Undo	`Ctrl` + `Z`	Undo the last action
Redo	`Ctrl` + `Y`	Redo the previously undone action
Select All	`Ctrl` + `A`	Select all items or text in the current context
Delete	`Delete`	Delete the selected item or character after cursor
Delete Word Left	`Ctrl` + `Backspace`	Delete the word to the left of the cursor
Delete Word Right	`Ctrl` + `Delete`	Delete the word to the right of the cursor
Bold	`Ctrl` + `B`	Toggle bold formatting on selected text
Italic	`Ctrl` + `I`	Toggle italic formatting on selected text
Underline	`Ctrl` + `U`	Toggle underline formatting on selected text

macOS

View full macOS guide

Action	Shortcut	Description
Cut	`Cmd` + `X`	Cut the selected item to the clipboard
Copy	`Cmd` + `C`	Copy the selected item to the clipboard
Paste	`Cmd` + `V`	Paste the clipboard contents at the cursor
Paste and Match Style	`Cmd` + `Option` + `Shift` + `V`	Paste and match the formatting of the surrounding text
Undo	`Cmd` + `Z`	Undo the last action
Redo	`Cmd` + `Shift` + `Z`	Redo the previously undone action
Select All	`Cmd` + `A`	Select all items or text in the current context
Delete (Backward)	`Delete`	Delete the character to the left of the cursor (Backspace)
Delete (Forward)	`Fn` + `Delete`	Delete the character to the right of the cursor
Delete Word Left	`Option` + `Delete`	Delete the word to the left of the cursor
Bold	`Cmd` + `B`	Toggle bold formatting on selected text
Italic	`Cmd` + `I`	Toggle italic formatting on selected text
Underline	`Cmd` + `U`	Toggle underline formatting on selected text

Ubuntu Linux

View full Ubuntu Linux guide

Action	Shortcut	Description
Cut	`Ctrl` + `X`	Cut the selected item to the clipboard
Copy	`Ctrl` + `C`	Copy the selected item to the clipboard
Paste	`Ctrl` + `V`	Paste the clipboard contents at the cursor
Undo	`Ctrl` + `Z`	Undo the last action
Redo	`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `Z`	Redo the previously undone action
Select All	`Ctrl` + `A`	Select all items or text in the current context
Delete	`Delete`	Delete the selected item or character after cursor
Delete Word Left	`Ctrl` + `Backspace`	Delete the word to the left of the cursor
Bold	`Ctrl` + `B`	Toggle bold formatting in text editors
Italic	`Ctrl` + `I`	Toggle italic formatting in text editors
Underline	`Ctrl` + `U`	Toggle underline formatting in text editors
Copy (Terminal)	`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `C`	Copy selected text in the terminal
Paste (Terminal)	`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `V`	Paste text in the terminal

ChromeOS

View full ChromeOS guide

Action	Shortcut	Description
Cut	`Ctrl` + `X`	Cut the selected item to the clipboard
Copy	`Ctrl` + `C`	Copy the selected item to the clipboard
Paste	`Ctrl` + `V`	Paste the clipboard contents at the cursor
Paste as Plain Text	`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `V`	Paste without any formatting
Undo	`Ctrl` + `Z`	Undo the last action
Redo	`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `Z`	Redo the previously undone action
Select All	`Ctrl` + `A`	Select all items or text
Delete (Forward)	`Alt` + `Backspace`	Delete the character to the right of the cursor (ChromeOS has no dedicated Delete key)
Bold	`Ctrl` + `B`	Toggle bold formatting
Italic	`Ctrl` + `I`	Toggle italic formatting
Underline	`Ctrl` + `U`	Toggle underline formatting

Windows 10

View full Windows 10 guide

Action	Shortcut	Description
Cut	`Ctrl` + `X`	Cut the selected item to the clipboard
Copy	`Ctrl` + `C`	Copy the selected item to the clipboard
Paste	`Ctrl` + `V`	Paste the clipboard contents at the cursor
Undo	`Ctrl` + `Z`	Undo the last action
Redo	`Ctrl` + `Y`	Redo the previously undone action
Select All	`Ctrl` + `A`	Select all items or text in the current context
Delete	`Delete`	Delete the selected item or character after cursor
Bold	`Ctrl` + `B`	Toggle bold formatting
Italic	`Ctrl` + `I`	Toggle italic formatting
Underline	`Ctrl` + `U`	Toggle underline formatting