10 Essential Keyboard Shortcuts for Your Everyday Time

Discover in this article 10 essential keyboard shortcuts to save time in your daily life and make it more practical!

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Essential Keyboard Shortcuts for Your Everyday Time

In today's fast-paced world, every second saved makes a difference, and when it comes to computer productivity, keyboard shortcuts emerge as powerful allies.

Although many still rely on the mouse or graphical interface to perform everyday actions.

Using key combinations can save precious minutes that add up to hours of efficiency.

Also, keyboard shortcuts aren't just about speed.

But they also promote better ergonomics and can reduce physical fatigue.

If you still don't explore this feature to the fullest, this article will present 10 essential keyboard shortcuts to revolutionize your daily life.

Keyboard shortcuts are a perfect example of how small changes can make a big impact.

By mastering the right combinations, you can navigate between tasks, perform repetitive actions in seconds, and even decrease your dependence on the mouse.

This way, you avoid that constant hand movement that seems harmless, but can compromise your posture over time.

Additionally, learning shortcuts provides a positive cognitive challenge, as it improves your memory and ability to solve problems quickly.

See below:

1. Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V: The Dynamic Duo of Productivity

Starting with the basics, “Ctrl + C” (Copy) and “Ctrl + V” (Paste) are shortcuts that many already know, but few explore to their full potential.

These two simple key combinations are responsible for one of the most repeated tasks on the desktop.

That is, copy and paste information.

When you think about how many times this feature is used in a single day, it makes perfect sense to optimize it.

Copying and pasting isn't just limited to text; you can use these shortcuts to copy images, files, folders, and even formatted content between different applications.

For example, if you are writing a document in Word and need to insert information from an Excel spreadsheet.

Using “Ctrl + C” to copy the cell and “Ctrl + V” to paste it saves you the effort of using the mouse.

The workflow is not interrupted, and productivity remains constant.

Another significant benefit is consistency.

Using keyboard shortcuts prevents common mistakes like accidentally pasting in the wrong places when using the mouse.

Also, especially for those who work with design or video editing.

In short, the copy and paste function also applies to visual objects, saving a lot of time in precise comparisons and adjustments.

2. Keyboard Shortcuts: Alt + Tab: Teleporting Between Windows

If you often work with multiple windows open, “Alt + Tab” is your shortcut to productivity.

This combination allows you to quickly switch between open programs, working as a digital “teleportation”.

Instead of using your mouse to click each icon on the taskbar, you can press “Alt” and then repeatedly tap “Tab” to navigate between all active windows.

“Alt + Tab” is particularly useful for those who multitask.

If you're writing a report while researching in different browser tabs, using this shortcut makes switching between tasks almost instantaneous.

There's no time wasted searching for the right window on the taskbar, and the work rhythm flows more naturally.

Additionally, for those using smaller monitors or laptops, this shortcut helps manage the lack of visual space.

You can keep multiple programs open without having to manually minimize or rearrange windows.

This type of efficiency becomes even more evident in meeting contexts, where it is common to switch between presentations, documents and notes quickly and accurately.

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3. Ctrl + Z: The Undo Button

To err is human, but correcting mistakes quickly is essential. The shortcut “Ctrl + Z”, or the “Undo” command, is one of the most powerful when it comes to avoiding rework.

This combination allows you to undo the last action performed, be it typing text, deleting a file or even moving an object in the design.

In addition to saving time, “Ctrl + Z” reduces the stress of errors.

If you accidentally deleted a paragraph or moved an image to the wrong place, instead of trying to recreate everything from scratch, a simple “Ctrl + Z” restores the previous action.

It is an essential tool for anyone dealing with large volumes of information or working on creative projects, where rapid changes are common.

Furthermore, the “Undo” function can be applied consecutively.

This means you can undo multiple actions, going back as many steps as necessary.

This level of control offers a margin of safety for the user, who does not need to fear making mistakes when performing complex or repetitive actions.

4. Keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl + F: The Information Hunter

Searching for specific information in a large document or web page can be a daunting task, but “Ctrl + F” solves this brilliantly.

This shortcut opens a search bar in the application you are using, allowing you to quickly find exact words or phrases.

Whether you're reviewing a long report or trying to locate a specific quote in an article, “Ctrl + F” is a huge time saver.

Instead of flipping through multiple pages, you can enter your keyword and be taken directly to the right spot.

It is a valuable resource for students, writers, and any professional who deals with large amounts of text.

“Ctrl + F” is not limited to text documents.

It can be used in browsers to search for specific terms on web pages or in spreadsheets to quickly locate a cell with a certain value.

This makes this shortcut an indispensable tool for anyone who needs to navigate efficiently in complex information environments.

5. Windows + D: The Desktop Overview

How many times have you found yourself with a ton of windows open and wished you could quickly see your desktop?

“Windows + D” allows you to do exactly that.

With this combination, all windows are minimized, immediately displaying the desktop.

In this sense, if you need to open a file or access a specific shortcut on the desktop, this is the quickest way to do it.

This shortcut is particularly useful when you work with many programs open simultaneously.

Not only does it facilitate quick access to the desktop, it also visually organizes your desktop, preventing information overload.

Also, when you press “Windows + D” again, all the windows that were open return to the screen.

It is a feature that also brings benefits to those who prefer to keep their desktop clean.

You can organize your files into folders and access them conveniently, without wasting time searching through overlapping windows.

Once again, productivity and simplicity go hand in hand.

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6. Ctrl + Shift + T: The Closed Tabs Lifesaver

Closed a browser tab by mistake? Don’t worry, “Ctrl + Shift + T” is here to save the day.

This shortcut reopens the last closed tab, allowing you to instantly retrieve the content.

For those who work with many tabs open, or even for those who accidentally close an important page, this is an essential feature.

In addition to bringing back the last closed tab, you can press this combination repeatedly to bring back multiple tabs in the order they were closed.

This is especially useful during research or when you are browsing multiple websites and don't want to miss any important information.

The practicality of this shortcut is unquestionable.

With it, you don't waste time trying to remember the page address or searching through your browser history.

Tab recovery happens instantly, allowing you to pick up where you left off without interruption.

7. Keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl + S: Save Security

“Saving is living,” say digital productivity experts. And it’s no wonder. The shortcut “Ctrl + S” is essential to ensure that your work doesn’t get lost.

Even though many programs have automatic saving, the practice of pressing “Ctrl + S” periodically offers extra security.

If you've ever had the frustrating experience of losing hours of work because of a power outage or system crash, you know the value of saving frequently.

This shortcut creates a habit of preserving your progress and provides peace of mind while developing a project.

After all, losing a job through carelessness is one of the biggest pains in digital life.

Additionally, “Ctrl + S” is universally recognized, working in most applications, from word processors to design and video editing programs.

No matter what you're doing, saving regularly is a smart practice, and this shortcut is your faithful partner in the process.

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8. Ctrl + A: Full Selection

When the goal is to select all the content on a page or document, “Ctrl + A” comes into play.

This shortcut lets you select everything at once, whether it's a block of text, images, or even files in a folder.

For those who work with large volumes of data or need to copy and move a lot of information at once, this command is essential.

Imagine you are formatting a long document.

Instead of manually selecting each part, “Ctrl + A” speeds up the process and ensures you don’t miss anything.

This saves time, especially on repetitive tasks that require selecting large amounts of content.

Another scenario where this shortcut shines is when dealing with spreadsheets.

If you need to select the entire table to copy, format, or apply a formula, “Ctrl + A” does it quickly and efficiently.

This is a classic example of how keyboard shortcuts make work more precise and less stressful.

9. Ctrl + P: Easy Print

Although the world is increasingly digital, printing documents is still part of the daily lives of many professionals.

“Ctrl + P” makes it easier to access the printing function by directly opening the printer settings window.

It's a simple feature, but it saves you the time of navigating through menus to find the print option.

In addition to being useful in your day-to-day work, this shortcut is a great help in emergency situations, such as when you need to print a contract or important document in a hurry.

With a simple command, printing starts to be processed, without the need for multiple clicks or confusion with the settings.

“Ctrl + P” is also functional in virtually all applications that support printing, from browsers to design programs.

This means that no matter what software you are using, you can always rely on this shortcut to speed up the process.

10. Keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl + T: New Quick Tab

For those who frequently browse the web, “Ctrl + T” is an essential shortcut. With it, you can instantly open a new tab in your browser.

This is especially useful when you are researching and need to have multiple tabs open at once without having to click the “+” icon.

Instead of diverting your focus from your task to manually open a new tab, “Ctrl + T” lets you stay in the flow of work, keeping your focus on what really matters.

The speed with which this shortcut works becomes even more valuable in research contexts or when multiple sources of information are needed.

Plus, opening new tabs quickly also makes it easier to stay organized.

You can distribute your tasks and research across different tabs, keeping your work more organized and fluid. This way, you maximize your efficiency and minimize wasted time.

Conclusion

Keyboard shortcuts are powerful tools that can completely transform the way you work on your computer.

By mastering these combinations, you not only save time, but also reduce stress and optimize the fluidity of your daily activities.

From the most basic functions, like copy and paste, to commands that make it easier to navigate between windows and tabs, each shortcut has a direct impact on your productivity.

Implementing these shortcuts into your daily routine is a smart step for anyone who wants to make the most of their time on the computer.

After all, time is the most valuable resource we have.

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Andre Neri October 21, 2024