Select All Shortcut Key (Windows, Mac, Chromebook)
For select all in Windows 11, use Ctrl+A: Select all items or text in the current context. The tables below list the recorded alternatives by operating system and application; there is no single key combination that works everywhere.
Last verified: 2026-10-04 (latest recorded check on at least one row; rows without their own date remain pending).
Operating system shortcuts
| App | Platform | Keys | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChromeOS Flex / Stable | ChromeOS | Ctrl+A | Select all items or text Verification pending |
| iPhone iOS 18 | iOS | Cmd+A | Select all text or items in the current context Verification pending |
| macOS Sonoma | macOS | Cmd+A | Select all items or text in the current context Latest recorded check: 2026-10-04 · Source |
| Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS | Linux | Ctrl+A | Select all items or text in the current context Latest recorded check: 2026-10-04 · Source |
| Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS | Linux | Ctrl+A | Select all files in the current folder Latest recorded check: 2026-10-04 · Source |
| Windows 10 | Windows | Ctrl+A | Select all items or text in the current context Latest recorded check: 2026-10-04 · Source |
| Windows 11 | Windows | Ctrl+A | Select all items or text in the current context Latest recorded check: 2026-10-04 · Source |
Application shortcuts
| App | Platform | Keys | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe After Effects | Platform not independently verified | Ctrl+A | Select all layers in the composition Verification pending |
| Adobe Lightroom | Platform not independently verified | Ctrl+A | Select all photos in the current view Verification pending |
| Canva | Platform not independently verified | Ctrl+A | Select all elements on the page Verification pending |
| Google Docs | Windows | Ctrl+A | Select all text in the document Latest recorded check: 2026-10-04 · Source |
| Google Slides | Platform not independently verified | Ctrl+A | Select all objects on the slide Verification pending |
| Microsoft Excel | Windows | Ctrl+A | Select all cells in the current data region, then all cells Latest recorded check: 2026-10-04 · Source |
| Microsoft Excel | macOS | Cmd+A | Select all cells in the current data region, then all cells Latest recorded check: 2026-10-04 · Source |
| Miro | Platform not independently verified | Ctrl+A | Select every item on the current board Verification pending |
| Miro | Platform not independently verified | Cmd+A | Select every item on the current board Verification pending |
| Notepad++ | Platform not independently verified | Ctrl+A | Select all text in the document Verification pending |
| Photoshop | Platform not independently verified | Ctrl+A | Select the entire canvas Verification pending |
Mac equivalent
On Mac, use Cmd+A in macOS Sonoma; Cmd+A in Microsoft Excel. These are documented equivalents for those specific contexts, not a universal Ctrl-to-Cmd substitution.
Full shortcut pages
- ChromeOS Flex / Stable shortcuts
- iPhone iOS 18 shortcuts
- macOS Sonoma shortcuts
- Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS shortcuts
- Windows 10 shortcuts
- Windows 11 shortcuts
- Adobe After Effects shortcuts
- Adobe Lightroom shortcuts
- Canva shortcuts
- Google Docs shortcuts
- Google Slides shortcuts
- Microsoft Excel shortcuts
- Miro shortcuts
- Notepad++ shortcuts
- Photoshop shortcuts
Frequently asked questions
- Select All Shortcut Key (Windows, Mac, Chromebook)
- For select all in Windows 11, use Ctrl+A: Select all items or text in the current context. The tables below list the recorded alternatives by operating system and application; there is no single key combination that works everywhere.
- Does this shortcut work the same way in every app?
- No. The listed contexts include ChromeOS Flex / Stable, iPhone iOS 18, macOS Sonoma, Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS, Windows 10, Windows 11, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Lightroom, Canva, Google Docs, Google Slides, Microsoft Excel, Miro, Notepad++, Photoshop. Check the table for each application and platform: the active window, keyboard layout and application settings determine which command receives the key press. An application being available on an operating system is not evidence that this exact binding works there.
- What should I use on a Mac?
- On Mac, use Cmd+A in macOS Sonoma; Cmd+A in Microsoft Excel. These are documented equivalents for those specific contexts, not a universal Ctrl-to-Cmd substitution.