It’s November, a time for family, food, hoodies, cuddling up in a warm blanket, but most of all, it’s a time for gratefulness. Here at Harbor Computer Services, we are grateful for many things, most of all, YOU, our customers! But there are plenty more things that we are grateful for, and want to share some of them with you. So, we decided that our theme for November will be Grateful November!
Shortcuts are little helpful ways to get through life a little easier, or a little faster. Microsoft has done an excellent job of developing standard shortcuts to help users accomplish things more efficiently and faster! We are grateful for shortcuts.
What is the WinKey?
Before we list some shortcuts, it is important to define the WinKey. This is also called the Windows Key. You may have noticed it before, but most (non-Apple) keyboards have a WinKey. Though it is often overlooked, it is very helpful when using shortcuts. Usually located on the bottom row, to the left between the Ctrl and the Alt keys, sometimes there is a 2nd one on the right side as well.
Pressing the WinKey by itself will bring up your start menu, where you can find your applications, settings, and controls. There are also a lot of shortcuts that use the WinKey.
Using the WinKey to Snap Windows
This is really more of a Windows thing, as opposed to Office 365, but with Windows 7, Snap was introduced. Snap is used to easily move multiple windows to specific sections of your screen. Try this:
| WinKey + Left Arrow | Snap current window to the left half of the screen |
| WinKey + Right Arrow | Snap current window to the right half of the screen |
| WinKey + Up Arrow | Snap current window to the top half of the screen |
| WinKey + Down Arrow | Snap current window to the bottom half of the screen |
Universal Shortcuts in Office 365
Microsoft has designated several shortcut keys that work throughout all their products. Here are some useful shortcuts:
| Ctrl + A | Select All |
| Ctrl + B | Makes selected text bold |
| Ctrl + U | Makes selected text underlined |
| Ctrl + I | Makes selected text in italics |
| Ctrl + P | Print your current screen |
| Ctrl + C | Copy selected |
| Ctrl + V | Paste selected |
| Ctrl + X | Cut selected |
| Ctrl + Y |
Undo last action |
Microsoft Word Keyboard Shortcuts
Many of us have been using Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for many years. There are so many features that it’s impossible to know it all for most of us. It’s not surprising that there are some good keyboard shortcuts that you may not know, and just might find useful. Here are a few that you may like:
| F7 | Opens Spelling and Grammar |
| Shift + F3 | Toggle between all Caps, Lower case, and Title case |
| Ctrl + Shift + F9 | Turn off hyperlinks for selected text |
| Ctrl + Space | Paste text without formatting |
| Ctrl + [ | Decrease font size |
| Ctrl + ] | Increase font size |
Microsoft Excel Keyboard Shortcuts
There are several shortcuts in Excel that will help you be more efficient. Here are a few:
| Ctrl + Page Up | Scroll through tabs in a workbook |
| Ctrl + Page Down | Scroll through tabs in a workbook |
| Alt + Enter | Enter text as a new line within a cell |
| Ctrl + ; | Enter the current date |
| Ctrl + 1 | Open formatting for the current cell |
| F2 | Open the formula box |
| Esc | Deselect |
| Ctrl + 0 | Hide Column |
| Ctrl + 9 | Hide Row |
| Ctrl + Shift + 0 | Unhide Column |
| Ctrl + Shift + 9 | Unhide Row |
Tons of Shortcuts
Both Harbor Computer Services and Microsoft are dedicated to helping you work more efficiently. Shortcuts are just one way that you can work smarter, and not harder. Stay tuned to our blog for more shortcut posts!
About Harbor Computer Services
Harbor Computer Services is an IT firm servicing Southeastern Michigan. We work exclusively under contract with our clients to provide technology direction and either become the IT department or provide assistance to the internal IT they already have. We have won many awards for our work over the years, including the worldwide Microsoft Partner of the Year in 2010. We’re the smallest firm to have ever won this most prestigious award. Most recently we were recognized as one of the top 20 visionaries in small business IT by ChannelPro Magazine (2015). And in 2016 as the top Michigan IT firm for Manufacturing. There are a few simple things that make Harbor Computer Services the best choice for your business. •We are Professionals •We are Responsible •We are Concerned About The Success of Your Business
