Google Docs Keyboard Shortcuts: Complete List for Windows, Mac & Chrome OS (2026)

Google Docs has over 200 built-in keyboard shortcuts and most people use fewer than five. Every time you reach for the mouse to bold text, insert a link, or find a word, you’re losing seconds. Those seconds add up to hours every week.

This guide covers 100+ Google Docs keyboard shortcuts for Windows, Mac, and Chrome OS organized by category so you can find exactly what you need fast. Whether you’re a student formatting an essay or a professional editing a report, these shortcuts will cut the time you spend on repetitive tasks immediately.

What you’ll find in this guide:

• The 20 most-used shortcuts (start here if you’re new)
• Formatting, navigation, and text selection shortcuts
• Collaboration shortcuts for comments and suggestions
• Image, footnote, and document tool shortcuts
• Mac (⌘ Command) and Chrome OS equivalents for every shortcut
• A free downloadable PDF cheat sheet

Want everything on one page? Download the free Google Docs Shortcuts PDF print it or keep it on your desktop. To see every shortcut available directly inside Google Docs, press Ctrl+/ on Windows or ⌘+/ on Mac.

What Are Google Docs Keyboard Shortcuts?

Google Docs keyboard shortcuts are key combinations that perform specific actions such as formatting text, navigating a document, or inserting elements without using a mouse or menu bar.

On Windows and Chrome OS, most shortcuts use the Ctrl key. On Mac, they use the ⌘ (Command) key, with Alt replaced by Option.

For example:

• Ctrl+B (Windows) / ⌘+B (Mac) – Bold text
• Ctrl+K (Windows) / ⌘+K (Mac) – Insert a link
• Ctrl+Z (Windows) / ⌘+Z (Mac) – Undo last action

Keyboard shortcuts work across all modern browsers including Google Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge.

Most Used Google Docs Shortcuts

Text & Paragraph Formatting Shortcuts

Text Selection Shortcuts

Document Navigation Shortcuts in Google Docs

Navigating long documents with a mouse wastes time. These shortcuts let you jump to any part of your document instantly without scrolling.

Pro tip: Press Ctrl+Alt+H (Windows) or Ctrl+⌘+H (Mac) to open the document outline a quick-access panel that shows all your headings and lets you jump between sections in one click.

Image Shortcuts

Tools & Other Shortcuts

Collaboration Shortcuts for Google Docs

Google Docs is built for teamwork. These shortcuts speed up commenting, reviewing suggestions, and working with collaborators in real time.

Press Ctrl+Alt+Shift+X (Windows) or ⌘+Option+Shift+X (Mac) to switch into Suggesting mode instantly all your edits become tracked suggestions instead of direct changes, which is essential when collaborating on shared documents.

Google Gemini AI Shortcuts in Google Docs

Google Docs now integrates Gemini AI directly into the editor available to Google Workspace users. These shortcuts and commands let you access AI writing assistance without leaving your document.

How to use Gemini in Google Docs:

1. Open any Google Doc in your browser
2. Click the Gemini star icon in the top-right toolbar to open the side panel
3. Type your request for example: “Summarize this document” or “Rewrite this paragraph in a more professional tone”
4. Press Enter to generate the response
5. Click Insert to add it to your document, or Regenerate for a new version

What Gemini can do inside Google Docs:

• Summarize long documents in seconds
• Rewrite selected text in a different tone or style
• Generate first drafts from a short prompt
• Answer questions about the content of your document
• Translate selected text into another language

Note: Gemini features in Google Docs are available to Google Workspace Individual, Business, and Education subscribers. Some features may vary by plan and region.

Start Using Google Docs Shortcuts Today

Keyboard shortcuts are one of the simplest ways to get more done in less time. You don’t need to memorize all 100+ shortcuts at once start with the ones you use most, practice them for a week, and they’ll become second nature.

Here’s a simple way to start:

1. Pick 5 shortcuts from the Most Used section above
2. Write them on a sticky note and keep it next to your keyboard
3. Force yourself to use them for the next 7 days avoid the mouse for those actions
4. Add 5 more shortcuts the following week

Within a month, you’ll be navigating, formatting, and collaborating in Google Docs significantly faster than before.

If you want a quick reference you can print or keep on your desk, download the free Google Docs Shortcuts PDF using the link below it covers all the shortcuts in this guide on a single page.
Have a shortcut we missed? Drop it in the comments and we’ll add it to the list.

Frequently Asked Questions About Google Docs Shortcuts

How do I see all keyboard shortcuts in Google Docs?

Press Ctrl+/ on Windows and Chrome OS, or ⌘+/ on Mac. This opens the full built-in shortcut reference list directly inside Google Docs.

What is the shortcut to insert a footnote in Google Docs?

Press Ctrl+Alt+F on Windows or ⌘+Option+F on Mac to insert a footnote at your cursor position.

What is the find and replace shortcut in Google Docs?

Press Ctrl+H on Windows or ⌘+H on Mac to open the Find and Replace dialog. To simply find text without replacing, use Ctrl+F (Windows) or ⌘+F (Mac).

What is the page break shortcut in Google Docs?

Press Ctrl+Enter on Windows and Chrome OS, or ⌘+Enter on Mac to insert a page break at your cursor position.

Is there a shortcut to download a Google Doc?

There is no single keyboard shortcut to download a Google Doc directly. To download, go to File > Download and choose your format (PDF, Word, plain text, etc.). The quickest way to reach the File menu with your keyboard is Alt+F on Windows.

Are Google Docs shortcuts the same on Mac?

Most shortcuts are the same but use different modifier keys. Replace Ctrl with ⌘ (Command) and Alt with Option for the majority of shortcuts. A small number of shortcuts such as strikethrough (Alt+Shift+5 on Windows vs ⌘+Shift+X on Mac) differ entirely.

What is the shortcut to bold text in Google Docs?

Press Ctrl+B on Windows and Chrome OS, or ⌘+B on Mac. Select the text first, then apply the shortcut.

What is the repeat last action shortcut in Google Docs?

Press Ctrl+Y on Windows to repeat the last action. On Mac, use ⌘+Y. This is useful for applying the same formatting or inserting the same element multiple times.

What is the shortcut for strikethrough in Google Docs?

Press Alt+Shift+5 on Windows or ⌘+Shift+X on Mac to apply strikethrough formatting to selected text.

Can I create custom keyboard shortcuts in Google Docs?

Yes. Go to Tools > Keyboard shortcuts and enable custom shortcuts. You can assign any shortcut to a specific action not already mapped by default.

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