Google Docs Keyboard Shortcuts: 24 Essentials and Free PDF

The Google Docs shortcuts you'll use every day: Ctrl + Alt + 1 for a heading, Ctrl + Shift + V to paste without formatting, Ctrl + Alt + M for a comment and Ctrl + Shift + C for the word count. All 24 come from Google's official list for Docs on a PC, sorted by task, with the Mac versions at the end.

Text formatting

• Ctrl + B - Bold
• Ctrl + I - Italic
• Ctrl + U - Underline
• Alt + Shift + 5 - Strikethrough
• Ctrl + \ - Clear formatting
• Ctrl + K - Insert or edit link

Paragraphs

• Ctrl + Alt + 1 - Heading 1
• Ctrl + Alt + 2 - Heading 2
• Ctrl + Alt + 0 - Normal text
• Ctrl + Shift + 8 - Bulleted list
• Ctrl + Shift + 7 - Numbered list
• Ctrl + Shift + E - Center

Editing

• Ctrl + Shift + V - Paste without formatting
• Ctrl + F - Find
• Ctrl + H - Find and replace
• Ctrl + Z - Undo
• Ctrl + Shift + Z - Redo
• Ctrl + Alt + M - Insert comment

Tools

• Ctrl + Shift + C - Word count
• Ctrl + Shift + S - Voice typing (Chrome)
• Ctrl + / - Show keyboard shortcuts
• Ctrl + Alt + Shift + X - Switch to suggesting
• Alt + / - Tool finder
• Ctrl + Enter - Page break

Mac

• Cmd + B - Bold
• Cmd + Shift + X - Strikethrough
• Cmd + \ - Clear formatting
• Cmd + Option + 1 - Heading 1
• Cmd + Option + 0 - Normal text
• Cmd + Shift + V - Paste without formatting
• Cmd + Shift + H - Find and replace
• Cmd + Option + M - Insert comment
• Cmd + Shift + C - Word count
• Cmd + Enter - Page break

Pro tip

Headings are the quiet time saver: Ctrl + Alt + 1 and Ctrl + Alt + 2 build an outline you can jump through. Forgot a shortcut? Ctrl + / shows the list right inside Docs. Shortcuts for your whole computer are on the Windows shortcuts sheet.

FAQ

What is the shortcut for strikethrough in Google Docs?

Alt + Shift + 5 on a PC, Cmd + Shift + X on a Mac.

How do I check the word count in Google Docs?

Ctrl + Shift + C on a PC, Cmd + Shift + C on a Mac.

How do I paste without formatting in Google Docs?

Ctrl + Shift + V on a PC, Cmd + Shift + V on a Mac. The text takes on the style of your document.

How do I clear formatting in Google Docs?

Select the text and press Ctrl + \ on a PC or Cmd + \ on a Mac.

Next step

Shortcuts save clicks. Touch typing saves time on every word you write. Measure your typing speed in one minute, then see how the touch typing guide closes the gap.

Matching sheets

Working in Microsoft Office too? See the Word keyboard shortcuts. For email in Google's world, there are the Gmail keyboard shortcuts.

Sources

• Google Docs Editors Help: Keyboard shortcuts for Google Docs - PC and Mac sections.