Administrative Sparkle Blog

This is a back-to-basics hot-key tip.  I’m always amazed how many people still use the mouse to scroll through the menu bar to access the copy and paste functions.  These were probably the first of many shortcut keys that I learned when WordPerfect was running on DOS.  If I can get you hooked on the value of shortcut keys, or as I refer to them as hot-keys, it is the Ctrl-C (copy) and Ctrl-V (paste).  Another value in these keys is that they are used in nearly every other program, definitely in all of the Microsoft Suite programs.

Hot-Key: Ctrl-C
Just like when accessing the menu bar, select/highlight the text, information, graphic and with the Ctrl key pressed down, push the letter “C” key on your keyboard.  That’s it. Your information has been copied to the clipboard.  This information can be used over and over until you replace the information with the “copy” function.

Hot-Key: Ctrl-V
Now switch over to another program or location in the document you are working, placing the cursor where you want the information, and with the Ctrl key pressed down, push the letter “V” key.  There it is, pasted into your designated location.

Bonus Hot-Key: Ctrl-X
This is an alternate “copy” key.  It is refered to as “Cut” in the menu bar.  If you find that the information would be better placed in a different location, Ctrl-X will delete the selected/highlighted information, storing it in the clipboard to be used over and over until you replace the information with something else using the “cut” or “copy” functions.

Combination Key Tip Using Alt-Tab
Using the Alt-Key hot-key tip that I gave you last week is the perfect ensemble key combination you will find.  I use these four hot-key tips throughout my working day when manipulating data and information constantly.  You could say these are my “staple” shortcut keys.  Copying information and switching between programs and duplicating the information with these hot-key tips is a tremendous timesaver.  You will find your co-workers fascinated at watching you flip through programs, copying, and pasting without mousing around.

In a later blog I will explain how to quickly locate and select text without your mouse.  Soon you will find yourself maneuvering around your documents rarely having to mouse through your menu and scroll bars, completing work in half the time.

Now we’re making computing fun!

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