Apple Pages Keyboard Shortcuts (Mac, iPad & iPhone): Complete List
Quick answer: The most-used Apple Pages keyboard shortcuts are Command-N (new document), Command-S (save), Command-B (bold), Command-F (find), and Option-Shift-Command-S (Save As). Apple Pages supports 100+ keyboard shortcuts across formatting, navigation, tables, objects, and charts. Press all keys in a shortcut at the same time.
What Are Apple Pages Keyboard Shortcuts?
Apple Pages keyboard shortcuts are combinations of keys you press together to trigger an action like saving, formatting, or navigating without reaching for the menu bar or mouse. Pages is Apple’s word processor, included free with macOS, iPadOS, and iOS, and also available in any browser through iCloud. Learning even a dozen of these shortcuts builds muscle memory that makes document editing noticeably faster.
Apple Pages Shortcut Symbol Guide (⌘ ⌥ ⇧ ⌃)
Apple uses symbols instead of key names in some menus. Here’s what each one means:
| Symbol | Key | Also called |
| ⌘ | Command | Cmd |
| ⌥ | Option | Alt |
| ⇧ | Shift | — |
| ⌃ | Control | Ctrl |
| ⇪ | Caps Lock | — |
| Fn | Function | Globe key on newer Macs |
| ↩ | Return | Enter |
| ⌫ | Delete | Backspace |
| ⎋ | Escape | Esc |
Most-Used Apple Pages Shortcuts (Mac)
These are the everyday document and window commands you’ll reach for most.
| Action | Shortcut |
| Create a new document (template chooser) | Command-N |
| Open the template chooser with Language menu | Option-Command-N |
| Open an existing document | Command-O |
| Save a document | Command-S |
| Save As | Option-Shift-Command-S |
| Duplicate a document | Shift-Command-S |
| Print a document | Command-P |
| Open the Page Setup window | Shift-Command-P |
| Open the Pages User Guide | Shift-Command-? |
| Close a window | Command-W |
| Close all windows | Option-Command-W |
| Minimize a window | Command-M |
| Minimize all windows | Option-Command-M |
| Enter full-screen view | Control-Command-F |
| Open Pages settings | Command-comma (,) |
| Hide Pages | Command-H |
| Hide windows of other apps | Option-Command-H |
| Undo the last action | Command-Z |
| Redo the last action | Shift-Command-Z |
| Start dictation | Fn-D |
| Quit Pages | Command-Q |
| Quit Pages and keep windows open | Option-Command-Q |
View, Zoom & Window Shortcuts
| Action | Shortcut |
| Increase text size | Command-Plus (+) |
| Decrease text size | Command-Minus (-) |
| Zoom in | Shift-Command-Right Angle Bracket (>) |
| Zoom out | Shift-Command-Left Angle Bracket (<) |
| Zoom to selection | Shift-Command-0 |
| Return to actual size | Command-0 |
| Show or hide the ruler | Command-R |
| Show or hide layout boundaries | Shift-Command-L |
| Show formatting characters (invisibles) | Shift-Command-I |
| Show the Colors window | Shift-Command-C |
| Hide or show the toolbar | Option-Command-T |
| Hide or show the right-side sidebars | Option-Command-I |
| Open the next sidebar tab | Control-Accent Grave (`) |
| Open the previous sidebar tab | Shift-Control-Accent Grave (`) |
Text Formatting Shortcuts
| Action | Shortcut |
| Show the Fonts window | Command-T |
| Apply bold | Command-B |
| Apply italic | Command-I |
| Apply underline | Command-U |
| Make font size bigger | Command-Plus (+) |
| Make font size smaller | Command-Minus (-) |
| Make text superscript | Control-Command-Plus (+) |
| Make text subscript | Control-Command-Minus (-) |
| Decrease space between characters | Option-Command-Left Bracket ([) |
| Increase space between characters | Option-Command-Right Bracket (]) |
| Align text flush left | Command-Left Brace ({) |
| Center text | Command-Vertical Bar (|) |
| Align text flush right | Command-Right Brace (}) |
| Justify text | Option-Command-Vertical Bar (|) |
| Decrease indent level of a block/list | Command-Left Bracket ([) |
| Increase indent level of a block/list | Command-Right Bracket (]) |
| Decrease indent level of a list item | Shift-Tab |
| Increase indent level of a list item | Tab |
| Turn text or object into a link | Command-K |
| Add a bookmark | Option-Command-B |
| Insert a nonbreaking space | Option-Space bar |
| Insert a line break (soft return) | Shift-Return |
| Insert a paragraph break | Return |
| Insert a page break | Command-Return |
| Enter special characters | Control-Command-Space bar |
Copy, Paste & Style Shortcuts
| Action | Shortcut |
| Cut the selection | Command-X |
| Copy the selection | Command-C |
| Paste the selection | Command-V |
| Copy the paragraph (or graphic) style | Option-Command-C |
| Paste the paragraph (or graphic) style | Option-Command-V |
| Paste and match destination style | Option-Shift-Command-V |
| Choose a file or object to insert | Shift-Command-V |
| Transpose characters around the cursor | Control-T |
Text Selection Shortcuts
| Action | Shortcut |
| Select all objects and text | Command-A |
| Deselect all | Shift-Command-A |
| Extend selection one character right | Shift-Right Arrow |
| Extend selection one character left | Shift-Left Arrow |
| Extend selection to end of word(s) | Option-Shift-Right Arrow |
| Extend selection to beginning of word | Option-Shift-Left Arrow |
| Extend selection to end of line | Shift-Command-Right Arrow |
| Extend selection to beginning of line | Shift-Command-Left Arrow |
| Extend selection to line above | Shift-Up Arrow |
| Extend selection to line below | Shift-Down Arrow |
| Extend selection to beginning of paragraph | Option-Shift-Up Arrow |
| Extend selection to end of paragraph | Option-Shift-Down Arrow |
| Extend selection to beginning of text | Shift-Command-Up Arrow |
| Extend selection to end of text | Shift-Command-Down Arrow |
Navigation Shortcuts
| Action | Shortcut |
| Move one character left / right | Left Arrow / Right Arrow |
| Move to the line above / below | Up Arrow / Down Arrow |
| Move to left edge of current word | Option-Left Arrow |
| Move to right edge of current word | Option-Right Arrow |
| Move to beginning of paragraph | Control-A or Option-Up Arrow |
| Move to end of paragraph | Control-E or Option-Down Arrow |
| Move to left edge of current line | Command-Left Arrow |
| Move to right edge of current line | Command-Right Arrow |
| Move to top of current text area | Command-Up Arrow |
| Move to bottom of current text area | Command-Down Arrow |
| Scroll up one page (cursor stays) | Fn-Up Arrow or Page Up |
| Scroll down one page (cursor stays) | Fn-Down Arrow or Page Down |
| Move to beginning of document | Home or Fn-Left Arrow |
| Move to end of document | End or Fn-Right Arrow |
| Go to a specific page | Control-Command-G |
Find, Comments & Spelling Shortcuts
| Action | Shortcut |
| Find | Command-F |
| Find next | Command-G |
| Find previous | Shift-Command-G |
| Put selected text in Find & Replace field | Command-E |
| Scroll to show the selected text | Command-J |
| Hide the Find window | Esc |
| Look up the word at the cursor | Control-Command-D |
| Check spelling and grammar | Command-Semicolon (;) |
| Show the Spelling and Grammar window | Shift-Command-Colon (:) |
| Highlight text | Shift-Command-H |
| Open a new comment | Shift-Command-K |
| Save a comment | Command-Return |
| Show the next comment | Option-Command-K |
| Show the previous comment | Option-Shift-Command-K |
| Accept a tracked change | Option-Command-A |
| Reject a tracked change | Option-Command-R |
| Show or hide word count | Shift-Command-W |
Object Shortcuts (Move, Group, Layer & Resize)
| Action | Shortcut |
| Select all objects | Command-A |
| Deselect all objects | Shift-Command-A |
| Move selected object one point | Arrow key |
| Move selected object ten points | Shift-Arrow key |
| Duplicate the object | Option-drag or Option-Arrow key |
| Send object to the back | Shift-Command-B |
| Send object one layer back | Option-Shift-Command-B |
| Bring object to the front | Shift-Command-F |
| Bring object one layer forward | Option-Shift-Command-F |
| Group selected objects | Option-Command-G |
| Ungroup selected objects | Option-Shift-Command-G |
| Lock selected objects | Command-L |
| Unlock selected objects | Option-Command-L |
| Mask or unmask an image | Shift-Command-M |
| Exit text editing and select the object | Command-Return |
| Constrain movement (H/V/45°) | Shift-drag |
| Rotate the object | Command-drag a handle |
Table Shortcuts
| Action | Shortcut |
| Add a row above selected cells | Option-Up Arrow |
| Add a row below selected cells | Option-Down Arrow |
| Add a column to the right | Option-Right Arrow |
| Add a column to the left | Option-Left Arrow |
| Insert a row at the bottom of the table | Option-Return |
| Select the next / previous cell | Tab / Shift-Tab |
| Begin editing a selected cell | Return or Enter |
| Insert a line break inside a cell | Shift-Return |
| Insert a tab inside a cell | Option-Tab |
| Merge selected cells | Control-Command-M |
| Unmerge selected cells | Control-Shift-Command-M |
| Delete selected rows | Option-Command-Delete |
| Delete selected columns | Control-Command-Delete |
| Open the Formula Editor for a cell | Equal Sign (=) |
| Turn on autofill mode | Command-Backslash () |
| Stop editing a cell and select it | Command-Return |
Chart Data Shortcuts
| Action | Shortcut |
| Show or hide the Chart Data editor | Shift-Command-D |
| Insert an equation | Option-Command-E |
| Complete a cell entry, move down | Return |
| Complete a cell entry, move up | Shift-Return |
| Complete a cell entry, move right | Tab |
| Complete a cell entry, move left | Shift-Tab |
| Move chart legend one point | Select legend, then Arrow key |
| Move chart legend ten points | Select legend, then Shift-Arrow key |
Apple Pages Shortcuts for iPad & iPhone
When you connect an external keyboard to your iPad or iPhone, most Mac shortcuts work the same way. To see every available shortcut for the current selection, press and hold the Command (⌘) key Pages displays an on-screen list tailored to whatever you’ve selected, such as text or a table. Core commands like Command-B (bold), Command-C (copy), Command-V (paste), Command-Z (undo), and Command-F (find) all carry over directly.
Apple Pages Shortcuts in iCloud (Browser)
Pages for iCloud runs in any web browser at iCloud.com and supports its own keyboard shortcuts. The familiar combinations still apply Command-B / Command-I / Command-U for bold, italic, and underline; Command-C / Command-V for copy and paste; and Command-F for find. On Windows, substitute the Control key for Command when using Pages for iCloud in a browser. (Most ⌘ shortcuts become Ctrl-based on a Windows keyboard.)
How to Create a Custom Keyboard Shortcut in Pages
Pages lets you assign your own shortcut keys (F1 through F8) to any paragraph, character, or list style perfect if you reuse a heading or highlight style constantly.
- Open a document and click any text.
- In the Format sidebar on the right, click the paragraph style name at the top (or open the Character Styles or Bullets & Lists menu).
- Move the pointer over the style you want, then click the arrow that appears.
- Choose a shortcut key (F1–F8) from the Shortcut menu.
- To apply it later, select your text and press Fn plus the assigned key (for example, Fn-F1).
To remove an assignment, repeat the steps and choose None from the Shortcut menu.
Apple Pages vs Microsoft Word Shortcuts
Most shortcuts map cleanly between the two apps swap Command (Mac/Pages) for Control (Windows/Word).
| Action | Apple Pages (Mac) | Microsoft Word (Windows) |
| New document | Command-N | Ctrl-N |
| Save | Command-S | Ctrl-S |
| Command-P | Ctrl-P | |
| Bold | Command-B | Ctrl-B |
| Italic | Command-I | Ctrl-I |
| Underline | Command-U | Ctrl-U |
| Find | Command-F | Ctrl-F |
| Undo | Command-Z | Ctrl-Z |
| Select all | Command-A | Ctrl-A |
| Insert page break | Command-Return | Ctrl-Enter |
For the full Word list, see our MS Word Shortcut Keys guide.
Download the Apple Pages Shortcuts PDF
Want an offline cheat sheet? Download the Apple Pages Shortcuts PDF and keep it next to your keyboard while the shortcuts become second nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I see all keyboard shortcuts in Pages?
On Mac, open the menu bar and browse each menu shortcuts appear beside commands. On iPad or iPhone with an external keyboard, press and hold the Command (⌘) key to display a live list of shortcuts for whatever you’ve selected.
Can I create custom keyboard shortcuts in Apple Pages?
Yes. You can assign F1–F8 keys to paragraph, character, or list styles through the Format sidebar, then apply them with Fn plus the key. Pages does not let you remap built-in command shortcuts, but some can be changed system-wide in macOS System Settings → Keyboard.
What is the shortcut to “Save As” in Pages?
Option-Shift-Command-S. Note that Shift-Command-S instead duplicates the document a common point of confusion.
Do Apple Pages shortcuts work on iPad?
Yes, when an external keyboard is connected. Most Mac shortcuts work identically, and holding Command (⌘) reveals the full on-screen list.
What’s the Pages shortcut for bold, italic, and underline?
Command-B for bold, Command-I for italic, and Command-U for underline.
How do I insert a page break in Pages?
Press Command-Return to insert a page break at the cursor.
Are Pages shortcuts the same as Microsoft Word shortcuts?
Largely yes replace Command with Control. Bold, italic, save, find, undo, and select-all all share the same letter keys across both apps.
What does ⌘⌥⇧ mean?
Those are the symbols for Command (⌘), Option (⌥), and Shift (⇧). When you see them together, press all three at once, plus whatever letter or key follows.
Final thoughts
Mastering Apple Pages keyboard shortcuts is one of the fastest ways to speed up your document work and you don’t need to memorize all 100+ at once. Start with the everyday commands like Command-S to save, Command-B to bold, and Command-F to find, then layer in navigation and table shortcuts as they become second nature. Within a week of daily use, the muscle memory sticks and you’ll rarely reach for the mouse again.
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