What does Ctrl+Space do?
In Microsoft Word, Ctrl+Space means: Remove all manual formatting from the selection.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Word | Platform not independently verified | Remove all manual formatting from the selection Verification pending |
| Microsoft Excel | Windows | Select the entire column of the active cell Latest recorded check: 2026-10-04 · Source |
| Microsoft Excel | macOS | Select the entire column of the active cell Verification pending |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Platform not independently verified | Remove all character formatting from selection Verification pending |
| IntelliJ IDEA | Platform not independently verified | Show basic code completion suggestions Verification pending |
| Xcode | Platform not independently verified | Trigger code completion at the cursor Verification pending |
Full shortcut pages
Frequently asked questions
- What does Ctrl+Space do?
- In Microsoft Word, Ctrl+Space means: Remove all manual formatting from the selection.
- Does this shortcut work the same way in every app?
- No. The listed contexts include Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, IntelliJ IDEA, Xcode. 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?
- Use a macOS binding shown in the table, if one is recorded for your task and application. This page does not assume that replacing Ctrl with Cmd produces a working Mac shortcut. When an equivalent has not been independently verified, open the linked application reference and check its documented context before relying on it.