What does Ctrl+A do?
In Windows 11, Ctrl+A means: Select all items or text in the current context.
Last verified: 2026-10-04 (latest recorded check on at least one row; rows without their own date remain pending).
Where this shortcut applies
| App | Platform | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 11 | Windows | Select all items or text in the current context Latest recorded check: 2026-10-04 · Source |
| macOS Sonoma | macOS | Move cursor to the beginning of the command line Verification pending |
| Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS | Linux | Select all items or text in the current context Latest recorded check: 2026-10-04 · Source |
| Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS | Linux | Move cursor to the beginning of the command line Verification pending |
| Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS | Linux | Select all files in the current folder Latest recorded check: 2026-10-04 · Source |
| ChromeOS Flex / Stable | ChromeOS | Select all items or text Verification pending |
| ChromeOS Flex / Stable | ChromeOS | Move cursor to the beginning of the current command Verification pending |
| Windows 10 | Windows | Select all items or text in the current context Latest recorded check: 2026-10-04 · Source |
| Microsoft Excel | Windows | Select all cells in the current data region, then all cells Latest recorded check: 2026-10-04 · Source |
| Photoshop | Platform not independently verified | Select the entire canvas Verification pending |
| Notion | Platform not independently verified | Select all blocks on the current page Verification pending |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Platform not independently verified | Select all objects on the current slide Verification pending |
| Google Docs | Windows | Select all text in the document Latest recorded check: 2026-10-04 · Source |
| Adobe After Effects | Platform not independently verified | Select all layers in the composition Verification pending |
| Blender | Platform not independently verified | Open Apply menu to bake transforms into the mesh Verification pending |
| Adobe Lightroom | Platform not independently verified | Select all photos in the current view Verification pending |
| Canva | Platform not independently verified | Select all elements on the page Verification pending |
| Mozilla Firefox | Platform not independently verified | Select all tabs (in the tab context menu) Verification pending |
| Google Slides | Platform not independently verified | Select all objects on the slide Verification pending |
| Notepad++ | Platform not independently verified | Select all text in the document Verification pending |
| Miro | Platform not independently verified | Select every item on the current board 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
- Windows 11 shortcuts
- macOS Sonoma shortcuts
- Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS shortcuts
- ChromeOS Flex / Stable shortcuts
- Windows 10 shortcuts
- Microsoft Excel shortcuts
- Photoshop shortcuts
- Notion shortcuts
- Microsoft PowerPoint shortcuts
- Google Docs shortcuts
- Adobe After Effects shortcuts
- Blender shortcuts
- Adobe Lightroom shortcuts
- Canva shortcuts
- Mozilla Firefox shortcuts
- Google Slides shortcuts
- Notepad++ shortcuts
- Miro shortcuts
Frequently asked questions
- What does Ctrl+A do?
- In Windows 11, Ctrl+A means: Select all items or text in the current context.
- Does this shortcut work the same way in every app?
- No. The listed contexts include Windows 11, macOS Sonoma, Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS, ChromeOS Flex / Stable, Windows 10, Microsoft Excel, Photoshop, Notion, Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Docs, Adobe After Effects, Blender, Adobe Lightroom, Canva, Mozilla Firefox, Google Slides, Notepad++, Miro. 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.