Shortcut Keys
So, you thought the large plastic thing with keys all over it was for typing your email or chatting on a messenger service. What if I said you could do other things with it?
Many keyboards today do come with lots more buttons and features. Some of these are special ones you can configure and manage to your own tastes, like open Internet Explorer or quickly access your email program. However, many features of the keyboard have been there since the dusty days of Windows 95.
For instance, in most programs, pressing Ctrl and O is the same as using the mouse to click File|Open. Except, you have not had to leave the keyboard to do it. Below are a few more common tasks you can do within most Windows programs.
Ctrl + N = New, creates a new document.
Ctrl + S = Save, this will save the current document.
Ctrl + P = Print, this will open the Print Dialogue box.
Ctrl + F4 = Closes the current document, you may be prompted to save.
Alt + F4 = Closes the current program, you may be prompted to save.
ALT + Tab = This will allow you to move through the open programs quickly. Keep holding Alt and pressing Tab until you reach the desired program.
Look for other shortcuts often seen within Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer and many other software programs. For instance, when you click on a menu to get a list of the functions/operations you can perform in the program, you often see the function name and then ‘Ctrl+S’ or ‘Ctrl+Shift+Z’ to the right hand side, sometimes in brackets. These are shortcut keys you can use within that particular program to perform the function/operation you want instead of the grabbing the mouse.
Learning shortcuts may seem to be a hindrance, but this is only the learning curve. Once you get past this, you will find it much easier to dash your fingers across the keyboard. As you become more proficient, you may find your hands never have to fumble for the mouse again. As such, these keys can help people who find it difficult to use a mouse to point on things and click.
