What does Ctrl+B do?
In Windows 11, Ctrl+B means: Toggle bold formatting on selected text.
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 | Toggle bold formatting on selected text Latest recorded check: 2026-10-04 · Source |
| Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS | Linux | Toggle bold formatting in text editors Verification pending |
| ChromeOS Flex / Stable | ChromeOS | Toggle bold formatting Verification pending |
| Windows 10 | Windows | Toggle bold formatting Latest recorded check: 2026-10-04 · Source |
| VS Code | Platform not independently verified | Show or hide the file explorer sidebar Verification pending |
| Microsoft Word | Windows | Toggle bold on the selected text Latest recorded check: 2026-10-04 · Source |
| Microsoft Excel | Windows | Toggle bold on the selected cells Latest recorded check: 2026-10-04 · Source |
| Gmail | Platform not independently verified | Toggle bold formatting on selected text Verification pending |
| Figma | Platform not independently verified | Toggle bold on selected text Verification pending |
| Notion | Platform not independently verified | Toggle bold formatting on selected text Verification pending |
| Slack | Platform not independently verified | Toggle bold formatting on selected text Verification pending |
| Vim | Platform not independently verified | Scroll one full page up Verification pending |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Platform not independently verified | Toggle bold formatting on selected text Verification pending |
| Google Docs | Platform not independently verified | Toggle bold on selected text Verification pending |
| Google Sheets | Platform not independently verified | Toggle bold on selected cells Verification pending |
| Blender | Platform not independently verified | Bevel selected edges; scroll to increase segments Verification pending |
| DaVinci Resolve | Platform not independently verified | Split the clip at the current playhead position Verification pending |
| Canva | Platform not independently verified | Make selected text bold Verification pending |
| IntelliJ IDEA | Platform not independently verified | Jump to the declaration of the symbol under cursor Verification pending |
| Cursor | Platform not independently verified | Show or hide the AI sidebar panel Verification pending |
| Cursor | Platform not independently verified | Show or hide the file explorer sidebar Verification pending |
| Discord | Platform not independently verified | Wrap selected text in bold markdown (**text**) Verification pending |
| Obsidian | Platform not independently verified | Wrap selected text with **bold** markdown Verification pending |
| Mozilla Firefox | Platform not independently verified | Toggle the bookmarks sidebar Verification pending |
| Google Slides | Platform not independently verified | Toggle bold on selected text Verification pending |
| Notepad++ | Platform not independently verified | Jump between matching parentheses or brackets Verification pending |
| Linear | Platform not independently verified | Bold the selected text in issue descriptions or comments Verification pending |
Mac equivalent
On Mac, use Cmd+B in Microsoft Word; Cmd+B in Microsoft Excel. These are documented equivalents for those specific contexts, not a universal Ctrl-to-Cmd substitution.
Full shortcut pages
- Windows 11 shortcuts
- Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS shortcuts
- ChromeOS Flex / Stable shortcuts
- Windows 10 shortcuts
- VS Code shortcuts
- Microsoft Word shortcuts
- Microsoft Excel shortcuts
- Gmail shortcuts
- Figma shortcuts
- Notion shortcuts
- Slack shortcuts
- Vim shortcuts
- Microsoft PowerPoint shortcuts
- Google Docs shortcuts
- Google Sheets shortcuts
- Blender shortcuts
- DaVinci Resolve shortcuts
- Canva shortcuts
- IntelliJ IDEA shortcuts
- Cursor shortcuts
- Discord shortcuts
- Obsidian shortcuts
- Mozilla Firefox shortcuts
- Google Slides shortcuts
- Notepad++ shortcuts
- Linear shortcuts
Frequently asked questions
- What does Ctrl+B do?
- In Windows 11, Ctrl+B means: Toggle bold formatting on selected text.
- Does this shortcut work the same way in every app?
- No. The listed contexts include Windows 11, Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS, ChromeOS Flex / Stable, Windows 10, VS Code, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Gmail, Figma, Notion, Slack, Vim, Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Blender, DaVinci Resolve, Canva, IntelliJ IDEA, Cursor, Discord, Obsidian, Mozilla Firefox, Google Slides, Notepad++, Linear. 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+B in Microsoft Word; Cmd+B in Microsoft Excel. These are documented equivalents for those specific contexts, not a universal Ctrl-to-Cmd substitution.