Discovering the Dance of Keyboard Shortcuts

This morning I found myself using a few keyboard shortcuts as my fingers efficiently danced across the keyboard. It got me thinking—why not share them with you? 💻

Have you ever had one of those moments when you are doing something, and it just clicks? 

While I was using Ctrl + A to select all the text on a page, and it suddenly hit me—A for All! There was this graceful feeling that washed over me, as if my hands were dancing across the keyboard with ease. That is the magic of keyboard shortcuts—they aren’t just practical; they can transform the way you interact with your tech, making everything smoother and more intuitive.

With just a few keystrokes, you can create space, time, and flow in your day.

Let’s dive into some of the most useful keyboard shortcuts for both PC and Mac, designed to save you time, make life easier, and—if you are anything like me—add a little extra elegance to your day.

Copy & Paste with Ease

PC: Ctrl + C (Copy), Ctrl + V (Paste)

Mac: CMD + C (Copy), CMD + V (Paste)

We all know the trusty copy-and-paste combo, but if you aren’t using this on a daily basis, you are missing out on some serious time savings. This shortcut is an instant flow-booster when moving between documents, emails and web pages.

Select All the Things

PC: Ctrl + A

Mac: CMD + A

As I mentioned earlier, Ctrl + A (or CMD + A for those of you on Mac) selects everything on the page. Whether you are working on a long document or navigating a busy spreadsheet, this shortcut is a fast-track way to bring the “all” to “all-encompassing” with the press of just two keys.

Find It Fast

PC: Ctrl + F

Mac: CMD + F

When dealing with large chunks of text, Ctrl + F (or CMD + F) is your instant search assistant. Ctrl + F (or CMD + F) allows you to instantly locate the word or phrase you’re after, saving you from endless scrolling and letting you flow right into your next task.

Switch Between Tabs

PC: Ctrl + Tab

Mac: CMD + Tab (switch between applications)

For the multitaskers out there (yes I am a multitasker), switching between tabs or applications keeps your flow steady. Instead of moving your mouse and clicking around, with a quick click this command allows you to gracefully flow between your open windows with minimal effort.

Opening a New Tab

PC: Ctrl + T

Mac: CMD + T

Starting something fresh? Open a new tab in your browser with Ctrl + T (or CMD + T) and dive into your next adventure—whether that’s researching, shopping, planning your next big project or simply exploring.

Undo & Redo

PC: Ctrl + Z (Undo), Ctrl + Y (Redo)

Mac: CMD + Z (Undo), CMD + Shift + Z (Redo)

We all make mistakes—sometimes a simple undo can save you from having to redo an entire task. Ctrl + Z is your best friend when you need to backtrack, while Ctrl + Y (or CMD + Shift + Z) can redo any action you have reversed. These commands are powerful ways to keep moving forward with confidence.

Screenshot, Simplified

PC: Ctrl + PrtSc (Print Screen)

Mac: CMD + Shift + 4

Need to capture something on your screen? For PC users, the Print Screen button captures an image of your entire screen, while on a Mac, CMD + Shift + 4 lets you select the exact are you want to save by drawing a rectangle around it.

Quick Save

PC: Ctrl + S

Mac: CMD + S

We’ve all been there—deep in work, only to lose everything due to a glitch or power outage. But with Ctrl + S (or CMD + S on Mac), you can save your work in an instant. A habit worth cultivating, keeping your progress safe and flowing smoothly. That’s right S for Save!  Just like Ctrl + B (CMD + B) for Bold, and Ctrl + I (CMD + I) for Italics.

Lock Your Screen

PC: Windows Key + L

Mac: CMD + Control + Q

Want a quick way to protect your work when stepping away? With a simple key combo, you can lock your screen in seconds to keep your workspace secure, making sure everything is right where you left it when you are ready to dive back in.

Minimise All Windows

PC: Windows Key + D

Mac: CMD + F3

Need a clear desktop in seconds? Windows Key + D on PC or CMD + F3 on Mac minimises all open windows, letting you access your desktop quickly.

Task Manager / Force Quit

PC: Ctrl + Shift + Esc (opens Task Manager directly)

Mac: CMD + Option + Esc (opens Force Quit)

Sometimes an app simply does not want to cooperate. Ctrl + Shift + Esc (PC) or CMD + Option + Esc (Mac) brings up Task Manager or Force Quit, where you can close any unresponsive applications.

Show Desktop (Mac) / Peek at Desktop (PC)

PC: Windows Key + , (Peek at Desktop)

Mac: CMD + F3 (Show Desktop)

Quickly glancing at the desktop? On Mac, CMD + F3 clears your screen, while on PC, Windows Key + , lets you “peek” at your desktop without minimising open windows.

Open Emoji Keyboard

PC: Windows Key + .

Mac: CMD + Control + Space

Need a quick emoji? Open the emoji keyboard with Windows Key + . on PC or CMD + Control + Space on Mac to add a bit of personality to your messages.

Cycle Through Open Windows

PC: Alt + Tab

Mac: CMD + Tab

With Alt + Tab (PC) or CMD + Tab (Mac), you can cycle through all your open apps—perfect for keeping your multitasking flow.

Keep reading for some Specialty Shortcuts for Specific Programs…. Most applications or app has its own set of unique shortcuts that can enhance productivity and take your flow even deeper.

Google Docs:

PC & Mac: Ctrl + Shift + 7  will create a Numbered List

Ctrl + Shift + 8 will create a Bulleted List

Microsoft Excel:

PC & Mac: Ctrl + ; (Insert Today’s Date), Ctrl + Shift + + (Insert New Cell)

Zoom:

PC: Alt + A (Mute/Unmute), Alt + S (Share Screen)

Mac: CMD + Shift + A (Mute/Unmute), CMD + Shift + S (Share Screen)

Explore your favourite programs and see what shortcuts resonate with your personal workflow.

There are, of course, loads more shortcuts out there, and exploring your favourite programs can reveal more that suit your workflow. Whether it’s Excel, Zoom or Google Docs, each program offers its own shortcuts to add efficiency and rhythm to your day.

What I love about shortcuts is that they don’t just make your day smoother—they invite a sense of grace and ease into everything you do. With just a few keystrokes, you are creating space, time and flow. So whether you are a seasoned pro or just getting started, let these tips be a gateway to more effortless days.

Do you have any favourite keyboard shortcuts? Share them in the comments below—we would love to hear how your fingers flow on the keyboard!