Understanding and mastering keyboard shortcuts

The keyboard is extremely important if you want to get the best out of your computer. You can use the built‑in keyboard on your PC, or add a wired or wireless external keyboard. As well as allowing you to type, this component offers many other features. Combining several keys lets you save time and gives you more control. But how do you master them? Find out here.

How to make good use of a computer keyboard

The keyboard is a component that allows you to communicate with your computer. Its layout and design can vary from one machine to another. In all cases, it generally includes:

• Function keys,
• Number keys and special characters
• A block of letter keys
• Punctuation marks
• Controls for lower case and upper case
• An “Enter” key
• Arrow keys for up, down, left and right,
• A numeric keypad.

On French keyboards, the top left letters start with A, Z, E, R, T and Y. These initials give this type of keyboard its name. The English‑language layout is known as QWERTY, as those letters are placed on the first row of the keyboard. These different letter layouts are inherited from old mechanical typewriters. They were designed to make typing easier and less time‑consuming. The position of each letter depends on how often it is used. The most common letters are separated from each other by less frequently used letters. This way, your hands can move more freely even when they are working hard.

For greater efficiency, it is recommended that you use both hands to operate the keyboard. When typing, only your fingers should move. Your hands can then remain in a fixed position, which places less strain on your joints. This helps you adopt an ergonomic posture and reduce the risk of fatigue.

Each key is also assigned to a specific finger on one of your two hands. This guidance is based on how easy it is to reach each key. For example, the letters at the far left are pressed with the left little finger. This logic continues across the keyboard towards the centre so that every finger is used in the most efficient way.

In the centre, the space bar is easily accessible with both thumbs. When you are just starting out, using both hands like this is not always easy. However, it will become more natural as you practise.

Although this specific method is the most widely recommended, you can still use your keyboard in the way that suits you best. Your habits and your dexterity are key factors in defining the right way for you to use the keys. For example, if you find it very difficult to use your little finger, you might choose to operate the keyboard with your other four fingers. Whatever you decide, the aim is comfortable use.

Why and how should you use keyboard shortcuts?

Keyboard shortcuts are combinations of two or more keys. They let you carry out certain commands without using a mouse. The keys involved are pressed at the same time.

They are easy to use and very practical. You can do away with repetitive actions such as saving, copying, pasting and so on. What is more, mastering shortcuts does not require any prior IT knowledge.

At first, using shortcuts may seem more difficult than using the mouse. Remembering what each one does is not always straightforward. However, they can save you a lot of time. The mouse equivalent of a keyboard shortcut is often a fairly long sequence of actions.

You can now access all kinds of commands without leaving what is currently displayed on your screen, such as:

• Printing a document,
• Saving a file,
• Opening the context menu,
• Managing formatting,
• Showing downloads or history in your browser,
• Switching from one application to another,
• etc.

To help you get used to these functions, bear in mind that they can be grouped according to the commands they perform. The most commonly used modifier keys are Ctrl, Windows and Alt. You can also set aside a specific amount of time to practise. For example, over the course of a week, you might get into the habit of using combinations with “Ctrl”:

• Ctrl+C to copy,
• Ctrl+X to cut,
• Ctrl+V to paste,
• Ctrl+Z to undo the last action,
• Ctrl+Y to restore the action undone by Ctrl+Z,
• Ctrl+S to save,
• Ctrl+F to open the Find function,
• Ctrl+B or Ctrl+G to apply bold formatting, etc.

There is one important point to bear in mind: keyboard shortcuts vary from one operating system to another. Some functions are only available in certain updated versions of systems. Below are a few essential shortcuts.