Microsoft Word is the world's most widely used word processor, offering comprehensive document creation, formatting, collaboration, and review tools. Available as a desktop application and web app through Microsoft 365, Word supports styles, templates, mail merge, macros, and extensive formatting controls. Its keyboard shortcuts span text editing, formatting, navigation, and review workflows.
This reference covers 28 essential Microsoft Word keyboard shortcuts organized across 6 categories: Formatting, Insert, Navigation, and more. Each shortcut lists both macOS and Windows/Linux key combinations where applicable, making it easy to find the right key combo regardless of your operating system.
Learning keyboard shortcuts is one of the highest-leverage investments you can make in your daily workflow. Studies show that developers and designers who rely on keyboard shortcuts are measurably faster at common tasks. Rather than memorizing every shortcut at once, focus on the ones you use most frequently and gradually expand your repertoire.
Bookmark this page for quick reference whenever you need to look up a Microsoft Word shortcut. The categorized layout makes it easy to find shortcuts by their function, whether you need navigation, editing, or specialized commands.