WordPerfect Keyboard Shortcuts: Complete List for Windows & DOS (2026)

Quick answer: WordPerfect uses two shortcut systems the Windows (CUA) keyboard, which is the default in WordPerfect for Windows 7 and later, and the older DOS-compatible keyboard. On the default CUA keyboard, Ctrl + S saves a document, Alt + F3 toggles Reveal Codes, F9 opens the Font dialog, and F12 creates a table. The full verified list of 60+ WordPerfect shortcut keys is below, along with a free PDF download.

Keyboard shortcuts are the fastest way to work in Corel WordPerfect. More than almost any other word processor, WordPerfect is built around function keys layout, formatting, and editing tasks are nearly all mapped to the keyboard. Learn even a dozen of these and you’ll stop reaching for the menus.

This guide lists every common WordPerfect shortcut, verified against Corel’s official documentation, grouped so you can find what you need fast. It also explains the one thing that confuses most users: the difference between the CUA and DOS keyboards.

What Are WordPerfect Shortcut Keys? (CUA vs DOS)

WordPerfect ships with more than one keyboard definition, and the shortcuts you press depend on which one is active.

• CUA keyboard (Common User Access): The modern default. If you use WordPerfect for Windows 7, 8, 9, 10, or any recent version (X-series, WordPerfect 2021), you’re almost certainly on the CUA keyboard. It uses familiar Windows conventions like Ctrl + C to copy and Ctrl + S to save.
• DOS-compatible keyboard (WPDOS 6.1): Mirrors the classic DOS-era WordPerfect, where function keys did most of the work (for example, F7 to save and exit). Longtime users and many legal secretaries still prefer it.

To check or change your keyboard, go to Tools → Settings → Customize → Keyboards. The shortcuts in this article use the default CUA (WPWin) keyboard unless noted.

Good to know: Several actions have two valid shortcuts one Windows-style and one function-key style. For example, Save is both Ctrl + S and Shift + F3, and Open is both Ctrl + O and F4. Both work on the CUA keyboard.

Most-Used Corel WordPerfect Shortcuts

File & Document Shortcuts

Formatting & Text Shortcuts

Table & Merge Shortcuts

Reveal Codes, Navigation & Tools

What Is Reveal Codes? (The Signature WordPerfect Feature)

Reveal Codes (Alt + F3) is WordPerfect’s most distinctive feature. It opens a split panel at the bottom of the screen showing every hidden formatting code embedded in your document bold, font changes, margins, tabs, indents, and more displayed inline with your text.

This is why WordPerfect remains popular in law firms and government offices: when formatting goes wrong, you can see exactly which code is causing it and delete it directly, rather than guessing. No other mainstream word processor offers this level of transparent control.

To turn it off, press Alt + F3 again.

How to Create Custom Shortcut Keys in WordPerfect

You’re not limited to the defaults. WordPerfect lets you assign your own shortcut to any feature or macro:

1. Click Tools → Settings → Customize.
2. In the Customize Settings dialog box, click the Keyboards tab.
3. Choose a keyboard from the Available keyboards list, then click Edit.
4. In the Keyboard Shortcuts dialog box, pick a key combination from the Choose a shortcut key list.
5. On the Features tab, choose a category, then select the feature you want to assign.
6. Click Assign Feature to Key, then OK.

You can revert to the default WordPerfect keyboard at any time, and you can export your custom keyboard to a file to reuse on another machine.

WordPerfect Shortcuts PDF Download

Want a printable cheat sheet? Download the WordPerfect Keyboard Shortcuts PDF and keep it next to your desk.

WordPerfect vs Microsoft Word

WordPerfect’s main limitation is platform: Corel WordPerfect runs on Windows only, while Microsoft Word supports both Windows and macOS. If you need a cross-platform alternative, Word is the closest equivalent see our MS Word shortcut keys list. That said, for transparent formatting control via Reveal Codes, many longtime users still prefer WordPerfect.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the shortcut for Reveal Codes in WordPerfect?

Press Alt + F3 to toggle Reveal Codes on or off. It displays all hidden formatting codes inline with your text.

What is the difference between the CUA and DOS keyboards?

The CUA (Common User Access) keyboard is the modern Windows default and uses standard shortcuts like Ctrl + C and Ctrl + S. The DOS-compatible keyboard mirrors classic DOS-era WordPerfect, relying more heavily on function keys. You can switch between them under Tools → Settings → Customize → Keyboards.

Does WordPerfect work on Mac?

No. Corel WordPerfect is a Windows-only application. Mac users typically use Microsoft Word or Apple Pages instead.

How do I create a custom keyboard shortcut in WordPerfect?

Go to Tools → Settings → Customize → Keyboards, select a keyboard, click Edit, choose a key combination, pick the feature to assign, and click Assign Feature to Key.

Is there a WordPerfect shortcuts PDF?

Yes. You can download a printable cheat sheet of all common shortcuts using the download link above, or export your own list from Tools → Settings → Customize → Keyboards → Edit → Print Report.

Which WordPerfect version do these shortcuts apply to?

These are the default CUA keyboard shortcuts and apply to recent WordPerfect for Windows versions, including the X-series and WordPerfect Office 2021. Custom keyboards may differ.

Summary

WordPerfect is one of the most keyboard-driven word processors ever made. Memorize the most-used keys first Ctrl + S (Save), Ctrl + P (Print), Alt + F3 (Reveal Codes), F9 (Font), and F12 (Create Table) then layer in the formatting and table shortcuts as you go. Remember that you’re on the CUA keyboard by default, and that you can remap any key under Tools → Settings → Customize. Bookmark this page or grab the PDF, and you’ll be working faster in WordPerfect within a day.