Computer Shortcut Keys for SSC Exams
Rahul Kumar
SSC Exam Expert & Content Editor
Updated 03 Oct 2026
In this note
Keyboard shortcuts are one of the most repeated topics in the computer section of SSC exams. Questions are direct, such as "Which key is used to save a document as a new file?" or "What is the shortcut for undo?". This note gives the complete list of important shortcut keys for Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint and web browsers in table format, followed by function key meanings, special keys and practice questions.
General Windows Shortcut Keys
| Shortcut | Function | Shortcut | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ctrl + C | Copy | Ctrl + X | Cut |
| Ctrl + V | Paste | Ctrl + Z | Undo |
| Ctrl + Y | Redo | Ctrl + A | Select all |
| Ctrl + S | Save | Ctrl + P | |
| Ctrl + N | New file or window | Ctrl + O | Open |
| Ctrl + W | Close the current window or tab | Ctrl + F | Find |
| Ctrl + Alt + Delete | Opens the security options screen (Task Manager, Lock, Sign out) | Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Opens Task Manager directly |
| Alt + Tab | Switch between open programs | Alt + F4 | Close the active program |
| Windows key | Open the Start menu | Ctrl + Esc | Open the Start menu |
| Windows + D | Show or hide the desktop | Windows + E | Open File Explorer |
| Windows + L | Lock the computer | Windows + R | Open the Run box |
| Windows + I | Open Settings | Windows + Tab | Task view (all open windows) |
| Print Screen | Copies a picture of the whole screen | Alt + Print Screen | Copies only the active window |
| Windows + Shift + S | Screen snip tool | Alt + Enter | Properties of the selected item |
| Delete | Send the selected file to the Recycle Bin | Shift + Delete | Delete permanently without the Recycle Bin |
| Ctrl + Shift + N | Create a new folder in File Explorer | F2 | Rename the selected file or folder |
MS Word Shortcut Keys
File and Editing
| Shortcut | Function | Shortcut | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ctrl + N | New document | Ctrl + O | Open a document |
| Ctrl + S | Save | F12 | Save As |
| Ctrl + F12 | Open dialog box | Ctrl + P | |
| Ctrl + H | Find and Replace | Ctrl + G | Go To (page, line, section) |
| Ctrl + K | Insert a hyperlink | Ctrl + Enter | Insert a page break |
| Ctrl + Home | Go to the start of the document | Ctrl + End | Go to the end of the document |
| Ctrl + Left / Right Arrow | Move one word left or right | Ctrl + Backspace | Delete the previous word |
| Ctrl + Shift + C | Copy formatting (Format Painter) | Ctrl + Shift + V | Paste copied formatting |
| F7 | Spelling and grammar check | Shift + F7 | Thesaurus |
| F4 | Repeat the last action | Shift + F3 | Change case of the selected text |
Formatting
| Shortcut | Function | Shortcut | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ctrl + B | Bold | Ctrl + I | Italic |
| Ctrl + U | Underline | Ctrl + D | Open the Font dialog box |
| Ctrl + E | Centre alignment | Ctrl + L | Left alignment |
| Ctrl + R | Right alignment | Ctrl + J | Justify |
| Ctrl + ] | Increase font size | Ctrl + [ | Decrease font size |
| Ctrl + = | Subscript | Ctrl + Shift + = | Superscript |
| Ctrl + 1 | Single line spacing | Ctrl + 2 | Double line spacing |
| Ctrl + 5 | 1.5 line spacing | Ctrl + Shift + L | Bullet list |
MS Excel Shortcut Keys
| Shortcut | Function | Shortcut | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| F2 | Edit the active cell | F4 | Toggle between relative and absolute reference |
| F9 | Calculate all worksheets | Alt + = | Insert AutoSum |
| Ctrl + Space | Select the entire column | Shift + Space | Select the entire row |
| Ctrl + ; | Insert the current date | Ctrl + Shift + ; | Insert the current time |
| Ctrl + 1 | Open Format Cells | Ctrl + Shift + L | Turn the filter on or off |
| Alt + Enter | Start a new line inside a cell | Shift + F11 | Insert a new worksheet |
| Ctrl + Page Up / Down | Move to the previous or next sheet | Ctrl + Home | Go to cell A1 |
| Ctrl + D | Fill down | Ctrl + R | Fill right |
| Ctrl + 9 | Hide the selected rows | Ctrl + 0 | Hide the selected columns |
| Ctrl + Shift + % | Apply percentage format | Ctrl + Shift + $ | Apply currency format |
MS PowerPoint Shortcut Keys
| Shortcut | Function |
|---|---|
| F5 | Start the slide show from the first slide |
| Shift + F5 | Start the slide show from the current slide |
| Esc | End the slide show |
| Ctrl + M | Insert a new slide |
| Ctrl + D | Duplicate the selected slide |
| N, Enter, Space or Right Arrow | Go to the next slide during a show |
| P, Backspace or Left Arrow | Go to the previous slide during a show |
| B | Show a black screen during a slide show |
| W | Show a white screen during a slide show |
| Ctrl + K | Insert a hyperlink |
Web Browser Shortcut Keys
| Shortcut | Function | Shortcut | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ctrl + T | Open a new tab | Ctrl + Shift + T | Reopen the last closed tab |
| Ctrl + N | Open a new window | Ctrl + Shift + N | Incognito window (Chrome) |
| Ctrl + Shift + P | Private window (Firefox) | Ctrl + Tab | Move to the next tab |
| Ctrl + L or F6 | Select the address bar | Ctrl + D | Bookmark the current page |
| Ctrl + H | Open history | Ctrl + J | Open downloads |
| F5 or Ctrl + R | Reload the page | Ctrl + Shift + Delete | Clear browsing data |
| F11 | Full screen | Ctrl + U | View page source |
| Ctrl + Plus / Minus | Zoom in or out | Ctrl + 0 | Reset zoom |
Function Keys (F1 to F12)
| Key | Common use |
|---|---|
| F1 | Help |
| F2 | Rename a file, or edit a cell in Excel |
| F3 | Search |
| F4 | Repeat the last action; Alt + F4 closes a window |
| F5 | Refresh or reload; start slide show in PowerPoint |
| F6 | Move between panes or the address bar |
| F7 | Spelling and grammar check |
| F8 | Extend selection (Word); safe mode during start-up |
| F9 | Update fields or recalculate |
| F10 | Activate the menu bar |
| F11 | Full screen |
| F12 | Save As |
Special Keys and Keyboard Facts
- Caps Lock types capital letters, Num Lock activates the numeric keypad, and Scroll Lock controls scrolling in some programs.
- Insert toggles between insert mode and overwrite mode.
- Home moves to the start of a line and End moves to the end of the line. Page Up and Page Down scroll one screen.
- Backspace deletes the character to the left of the cursor, and Delete deletes the character to the right.
- Shift, Ctrl, Alt are called modifier keys. Esc cancels the current operation.
- The most common keyboard layout is QWERTY, designed by Christopher Sholes. A standard keyboard has about 101 to 104 keys, including 12 function keys.
Tips to Remember Shortcuts
- Learn them in groups, for example all Ctrl + letter shortcuts for editing first.
- Use at least five new shortcuts every day while working on a computer.
- Link letters with meaning: B for Bold, I for Italic, U for Underline, S for Save, P for Print, F for Find and N for New.
- Revise the table before the exam, especially the ones that are close to each other, like Ctrl + H and Ctrl + G.
Practice Questions With Answers
- Which shortcut key is used to undo the last action? Answer: Ctrl + Z
- Which key is used for Save As? Answer: F12
- Which shortcut permanently deletes a file? Answer: Shift + Delete
- Which key starts a slide show from the beginning in PowerPoint? Answer: F5
- Which shortcut opens Task Manager directly? Answer: Ctrl + Shift + Esc
- Which shortcut is used to insert a page break in Word? Answer: Ctrl + Enter
- Which key is used to rename a file? Answer: F2
- Which shortcut inserts AutoSum in Excel? Answer: Alt + =
- Which shortcut reopens the last closed tab in a browser? Answer: Ctrl + Shift + T
- Which shortcut switches between open programs? Answer: Alt + Tab
For the complete theory, read the main Computer Knowledge Notes, and test yourself with our previous year papers.
About the Author
Rahul Kumar
SSC Exam Expert & Content Editor
Rahul is a senior SSC exam strategist with 8+ years of experience helping aspirants crack CGL, CHSL and MTS exams. He writes in-depth notification breakdowns, exam pattern guides and preparation strategies.