Microsoft Windows Clipboard Tips

I am always surprised by the number of people who are not aware of the many shortcuts which are available to the user through the Microsoft Windows system. Many of these Shortcuts can be executed by pressing two keys simultaneously on the keyboard. Achieving the same act with your mouse often needs three or more clicks. If you are a heavy user, or somebody who is disabled, these Shortcuts can often be a more efficient use of time and motion. I am all about efficiency. Economy of motion.

So without any further delay or hype, here we go. These Windows Clipboard Shortcuts work in virtually every Windows Program you use from Notepad, to your Word Processor, to the browser you are reading this page in - and almost everything in between.

Control + A: Pressing these two key together will select, or highlight, all of the content on your active window. An easy way to remember this is "A" for All.

Control + X: Pressing these two keys together will cut all of the text and which you have selected or highlighted. If your selected content includes images this shortcut will cut them as well. An easy way to remember this is that the "X" looks like a pair of scissors which we all know are used to cut things.

Control + C: Pressing these two keys does the same thing as pressing Control + X except, instead of cutting the data, pressing these two keys together will copy all of the text and, or images, which you have selected or highlighted. An easy way to remember this is "C" for Copy.

Control + V: Pressing these two keys together will paste the contents your clipboard into another location of your choice. Simply place your cursor where you want the Cut or Copied text or images to be placed and then press these two keys together. An easy way to remember this is "V" doesn't resemble anything.

I could not quite resist that one. The theory is that these four Keyboard Shortcuts go back to the dim history of Computers and were originally chosen because of their location on the QWERTY keyboard. In any case, they are easy to use, and very easy to access. Let us add just a few more then we will call it a day.

Control + Z: Pressing these two keys together can be a life saver. They provide you with a way to Undo whatever you last did. Say you have just written the next Great American Novel. Ready to save it and go down in history, you have selected all your text to copy and send an email to somebody. Except, instead of copying, you accidentally push the wrong key and your masterpiece is replaced with a Capitol C. pushing Control Z will thankfully undo this error for you.

Shift + Delete: Personally I prefer this to Control X. It does the same thing, I just find these two keys to be easier to push. Either sequence works, it just comes down to preference.

Shift + Insert: Personally I prefer this to Control V. It does the same thing, I just find these two keys to be easier to push. Either sequence works, it just comes down to preference. It also has the added benefit of Inserting has a better connection for the memory to Pasting the just "V".

A note to remember: You cannot cut text or images on a document which you do not have the right to edit. For example, if you push Control "A" and then Control "X" here on this web site it will not do anything. At least, not unless you're running some form of clipboard enhancer which I can't be aware of.

What you Can do though is Control "C" to copy, then Control "V" to paste.

As I say, these seven key combinations are almost universal in all Microsoft Windows Applications, and can greatly enhance your day-to-day productivity efficiency.

(In the key combinations listed above like the "+" is used as and, not as a key to press. All seven of these key combinations are two keys only. They can be executed by pressing the designated keys at the same time, or by holding down the Control or Shift, and then pressing the second key in the sequence.)