What is a Keyboard Shortcut?
A keyboard shortcut is one or more keys used to perform a menu function or other common functions in a program or operating system. Keyboard shortcuts usually are not as intuitive as point-and-click mouse actions. However, they can be used by novice users in frequently used programs to get to locations much faster than using the mouse.
Why should I use and learn keyboard shortcuts?
Below are a few of the reasons you should learn and memorize keyboard shortcuts.
Makes the computer easier to use.
Allows you to be faster and more productive on the computer.
Keeps your hands on the keyboard and reduces the stress caused by you moving your hand between the mouse and keyboard.
Can perform tasks difficult for some to perform using the mouse.
Keyboard shortcuts can be used with programs like AutoHotkey to automate common tasks.
For example, to copy paste all text in an e-mail to a Microsoft Word document without keyboard shortcuts, you’d do the following steps.
Highlight all of the text with the mouse.
Right-click the highlighted text and click Copy.
Use the mouse to navigate to Microsoft Word.
Right-click in Microsoft Word and click Paste.