What does Ctrl+A do?

In Google Docs on Windows, Ctrl+A selects all content in the focused area. Use it when you want to select all in that application; other apps may assign the same keys differently.

Recorded actions and binding evidence

Windows

Google Docs · Editing

Select All — Select all text in the document

Ctrl + A
· Source: Google Docs keyboard shortcuts

See all Google Docs shortcuts
Microsoft Excel · Navigation & Selection

Select All — Select all cells in the current data region, then all cells

Ctrl + A
· Source: Microsoft Support — Keyboard shortcuts in Excel

See all Microsoft Excel shortcuts
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.
- Windows 10 · Editing
  · Source: Microsoft Support — Windows keyboard shortcuts
- Windows · Editing
  · Source: Microsoft Support — Windows keyboard shortcuts
See all Windows shortcuts

Linux

Ubuntu Linux · Common editing

Select All — Select all items or text in the current context

Ctrl + A
· Source: GNOME Help — Useful keyboard shortcuts

See all Ubuntu Linux shortcuts
Ubuntu Linux · Files App (Nautilus)

Select All — Select all files in the current folder

Ctrl + A
· Source: GNOME Help — Useful keyboard shortcuts

See all Ubuntu Linux shortcuts

Also works in: Adobe After Effects, Adobe Lightroom, Canva, ChromeOS, Google Slides, Notepad++, Photoshop, Blender, macOS, Ubuntu Linux, Microsoft PowerPoint, Miro, Mozilla Firefox, Notion.

Context

Select All follows focus and document scope. Windows text editing and Excel provide documented selection contexts. A spreadsheet selection may expand from its current region, whereas an input field selects its own text. Inspect the selection before deleting or replacing it.

Use the binding for your application and platform. Custom keymaps, keyboard layouts and intercepted system keys can change the behavior you observe.

Practical checks

Focus the application whose recorded action you intend to use.
Check whether a custom keymap, keyboard language, browser extension or remote session intercepts these keys.
Consult the application's shortcut settings and source links before choosing a platform equivalent.

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