What does Ctrl+U do?
In Windows 11, Ctrl+U means: Toggle underline formatting on selected text.
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 | Toggle underline formatting on selected text Latest recorded check: 2026-10-04 · Source |
| macOS Sonoma | macOS | Delete everything from cursor to the start of the line Verification pending |
| Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS | Linux | Toggle underline formatting in text editors Verification pending |
| Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS | Linux | Delete everything from cursor back to line start Verification pending |
| ChromeOS Flex / Stable | ChromeOS | Toggle underline formatting Verification pending |
| ChromeOS Flex / Stable | ChromeOS | View the source code of the current page Latest recorded check: 2026-10-10 · Source |
| ChromeOS Flex / Stable | ChromeOS | Delete all text from the cursor to the start of the line Verification pending |
| Windows 10 | Windows | Toggle underline formatting Latest recorded check: 2026-10-04 · Source |
| Google Chrome | Platform not independently verified | View the HTML source code of the current page Verification pending |
| Microsoft Word | Windows | Toggle underline on the selected text Latest recorded check: 2026-10-04 · Source |
| Microsoft Excel | Windows | Toggle underline on the selected cells Latest recorded check: 2026-10-04 · Source |
| Gmail | Platform not independently verified | Toggle underline formatting on selected text Verification pending |
| Figma | Platform not independently verified | Toggle underline on selected text Verification pending |
| Notion | Platform not independently verified | Toggle underline formatting on selected text Verification pending |
| Slack | Platform not independently verified | Open the file picker to upload a file Verification pending |
| Vim | Platform not independently verified | Scroll half a page up Verification pending |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Platform not independently verified | Toggle underline formatting on selected text Verification pending |
| Google Docs | Platform not independently verified | Toggle underline on selected text Verification pending |
| Google Sheets | Platform not independently verified | Toggle underline on selected cells Verification pending |
| Microsoft Outlook | Platform not independently verified | Mark selected message as unread Verification pending |
| Adobe Lightroom | Platform not independently verified | Apply automatic tone adjustments Verification pending |
| Canva | Platform not independently verified | Underline selected text Verification pending |
| Obsidian | Platform not independently verified | Underline selected text — requires the 'Underline' community plugin Verification pending |
| Mozilla Firefox | Platform not independently verified | View the HTML source of the current page Verification pending |
| Microsoft Edge | Platform not independently verified | View the HTML source of the current page Verification pending |
| Google Slides | Platform not independently verified | Toggle underline on selected text Verification pending |
| Notepad++ | Platform not independently verified | Convert selected text to lowercase Verification pending |
Mac equivalent
On Mac, use Cmd+U in Microsoft Word; Cmd+U 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
- Google Chrome 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
- Microsoft Outlook shortcuts
- Adobe Lightroom shortcuts
- Canva shortcuts
- Obsidian shortcuts
- Mozilla Firefox shortcuts
- Microsoft Edge shortcuts
- Google Slides shortcuts
- Notepad++ shortcuts
Frequently asked questions
- What does Ctrl+U do?
- In Windows 11, Ctrl+U means: Toggle underline formatting on selected text.
- 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, Google Chrome, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Gmail, Figma, Notion, Slack, Vim, Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Microsoft Outlook, Adobe Lightroom, Canva, Obsidian, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Google Slides, Notepad++. 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+U in Microsoft Word; Cmd+U in Microsoft Excel. These are documented equivalents for those specific contexts, not a universal Ctrl-to-Cmd substitution.