What does Ctrl+F do?
In Windows 11, Ctrl+F means: Open the in-page search bar.
Last verified: 2026-10-10 (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 | Open the find/search dialog in the current app Verification pending |
| Windows 11 | Windows | Open the in-page search bar Verification pending |
| Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS | Linux | Open the search bar in the current application Verification pending |
| Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS | Linux | Focus the search in the Files app or current window Verification pending |
| Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS | Linux | Open the in-page search bar Verification pending |
| Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS | Linux | Open the search bar in Nautilus Verification pending |
| ChromeOS Flex / Stable | ChromeOS | Open the Find bar to search within the current page Latest recorded check: 2026-10-10 · Source |
| Windows 10 | Windows | Open the find/search dialog in the current app Verification pending |
| Windows 10 | Windows | Open the in-page search bar Verification pending |
| Google Chrome | Platform not independently verified | Open the in-page search bar Verification pending |
| Google Chrome | Platform not independently verified | Open the in-page search bar Verification pending |
| VS Code | Windows | Open find widget in the current file Latest recorded check: 2026-10-04 · Source |
| Microsoft Word | Windows | Open the Find pane to search the document Latest recorded check: 2026-10-04 · Source |
| Gmail | Platform not independently verified | Focus the search box to search your inbox Verification pending |
| Slack | Platform not independently verified | Move keyboard focus to the message input area Verification pending |
| Vim | Platform not independently verified | Scroll one full page down Verification pending |
| Zoom | Platform not independently verified | Search within the chat history Verification pending |
| Microsoft Teams | Platform not independently verified | Search within the current channel or chat Verification pending |
| Spotify | Platform not independently verified | Focus the search bar Verification pending |
| Google Docs | Windows | Open Find toolbar to search in the document Latest recorded check: 2026-10-04 · Source |
| Microsoft Outlook | Platform not independently verified | Forward the selected message Verification pending |
| Cursor | Platform not independently verified | Search within the current file Verification pending |
| Discord | Platform not independently verified | Search messages in the current channel or server Verification pending |
| Mozilla Firefox | Platform not independently verified | Open the find toolbar to search within the page Verification pending |
| Mozilla Firefox | Platform not independently verified | Open the find toolbar to search within the page Verification pending |
| Microsoft Edge | Platform not independently verified | Search for text on the current page Verification pending |
| Microsoft Edge | Platform not independently verified | Search for text on the current page Verification pending |
| Notepad++ | Platform not independently verified | Open the Find dialog Verification pending |
| Sublime Text | Platform not independently verified | Open inline find bar Verification pending |
| Adobe Acrobat | Platform not independently verified | Open the Find toolbar to search within the document Verification pending |
Mac equivalent
On Mac, use Cmd+F in Microsoft Word. 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
- Google Chrome shortcuts
- VS Code shortcuts
- Microsoft Word shortcuts
- Gmail shortcuts
- Slack shortcuts
- Vim shortcuts
- Zoom shortcuts
- Microsoft Teams shortcuts
- Spotify shortcuts
- Google Docs shortcuts
- Microsoft Outlook shortcuts
- Cursor shortcuts
- Discord shortcuts
- Mozilla Firefox shortcuts
- Microsoft Edge shortcuts
- Notepad++ shortcuts
- Sublime Text shortcuts
- Adobe Acrobat shortcuts
Frequently asked questions
- What does Ctrl+F do?
- In Windows 11, Ctrl+F means: Open the in-page search bar.
- 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, Google Chrome, VS Code, Microsoft Word, Gmail, Slack, Vim, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Spotify, Google Docs, Microsoft Outlook, Cursor, Discord, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Notepad++, Sublime Text, Adobe Acrobat. 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+F in Microsoft Word. These are documented equivalents for those specific contexts, not a universal Ctrl-to-Cmd substitution.