SharePoint Keyboard Shortcuts: Complete List for SharePoint Online, Server & Mac

Quick answer: The most useful SharePoint Online shortcuts are Alt + S to jump to search, Shift + F10 to open the menu for a selected file, Ctrl + K to insert a link while editing a page, Shift + F11 to jump to the web part toolbox, Tab / Shift + Tab to move between areas, and Esc to close a pane or dialog. SharePoint Server (on-premises) uses a different set, covered further down.

SharePoint shortcuts let you search, open files, edit pages and format text without reaching for the mouse. They are also an essential accessibility feature for people who rely on a keyboard or a screen reader.

Before you use any list, check which SharePoint you have. SharePoint Online (part of Microsoft 365) and SharePoint Server (2016, 2019 and Subscription Edition, hosted by your company) use different shortcuts. Many older lists online, including the earlier version of this page, mix both. This guide keeps them separate.

What does “SharePoint shortcuts” mean? The term has two meanings:

1. Keyboard shortcuts: key combinations that perform actions in SharePoint, such as Alt + S for search.
2. Folder shortcuts: the “Add shortcut to My files” option, which places a SharePoint library or folder inside your OneDrive so it appears in File Explorer or Finder.

This guide covers both. Jump to the folder shortcut steps if that is what you need.

Most Used SharePoint Shortcuts (Top 10)

These ten keys cover most daily work in SharePoint Online. Learn these first.

Tip: Alt + S has two jobs. On most pages it jumps to search. Inside a document library with a file selected, it opens the Share dialog.

SharePoint Online Keyboard Shortcuts (Microsoft 365)

These shortcuts work in SharePoint Online, the version included with Microsoft 365 business and enterprise plans. They refer to the US keyboard layout. A plus sign (+) means press the keys together; a comma means press them in order.

General navigation and search

Document library and list shortcuts

Example: To upload a report without the mouse, open the document library, press Alt + U, choose your file in the dialog, then press Enter.

Editing modern pages and web parts

Text web part formatting shortcuts

Auto-format shortcuts (type as you write)

The Text web part also recognizes a few typed patterns, similar to Markdown:

Example: To format a news post fast, type – then Space to start a bullet list, select a phrase and press Ctrl + B to bold it, then press Ctrl + K to link it to a related page.

SharePoint Shortcuts on Mac

SharePoint runs in your web browser, so on a Mac the text editing keys swap Ctrl for Command (Cmd). Microsoft does not publish a separate Mac list for SharePoint Online, so use this table as a mapping guide and test each key in your browser.

Two Mac rules to remember:

1. Ctrl becomes Cmd for text editing and formatting.
2. Alt-based commands depend on your browser. Chrome, Edge, Safari and Firefox handle Alt (Option) keys differently on macOS. If an Option key types a special character instead of running a command, try Control + Option with the same letter.

If Tab skips buttons on your Mac, turn on System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard navigation so Tab moves between buttons and links in your browser. Safari also needs Settings > Advanced > Press Tab to highlight each item on a webpage turned on.

SharePoint Server / On-Premises Shortcuts (2016, 2019, Subscription Edition)

Use this section if your company hosts SharePoint on its own servers. Microsoft states that these shortcuts differ from SharePoint in Microsoft 365.

Frequently used and page editing

Lists and libraries

SharePoint 2016 document library commands

SharePoint Server 2016 added Alt shortcuts that match the first letter of each library command.

Classic ribbon shortcuts (SharePoint 2010 and 2013)

Why older lists conflict: In classic SharePoint, the same Alt key meant different things on different screens. For example, Alt + N could mean New, Respond to Survey or Next Page. If a shortcut from an old list does nothing, it probably belongs to a classic page you are not using.

Browser Shortcuts That Work Inside SharePoint

Because SharePoint runs in Edge, Chrome, Safari or Firefox, your browser’s own shortcuts work on every SharePoint page.

Tip: Press Ctrl + D on your team site’s home page to bookmark it. This is the quickest “SharePoint desktop shortcut” for a site you visit every day.

How to Add a SharePoint Folder Shortcut to OneDrive and File Explorer

To open a SharePoint folder from File Explorer or Finder, add it to your OneDrive with Add shortcut to My files. The shortcut then appears in OneDrive on the web, File Explorer, Finder, Teams and the OneDrive mobile apps.

1. Open the SharePoint site in your browser and go to the document library.
2. Select the folder you want, or select nothing to add the whole library.
3. Click Add shortcut to My files on the top menu (or right-click the folder and choose the same option).
4. Open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac). The folder now appears inside your OneDrive folder, as long as the OneDrive sync app is running.

Limits to know:

• Shortcuts work for folders and libraries only, not individual files.
• You can add up to 1,000 shortcuts in total, and up to 100 folder shortcuts from one person’s OneDrive or Teams site.
• Shortcuts do not use your own OneDrive storage. They count against the owner’s storage.
• You cannot add shortcuts to folders shared with external users.
• You may need edit access for the option to appear.

Download the SharePoint Shortcuts PDF

Get every shortcut on this page as a one-page printable cheat sheet, with separate columns for SharePoint Online, SharePoint Server and Mac.

Download SharePoint Shortcuts PDF

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the shortcut to search in SharePoint?

Press Alt + S in SharePoint Online to jump straight to the search box. Type your search and press Enter. Inside a document library with a file selected, Alt + S opens the Share dialog instead.

Do SharePoint shortcuts work on Mac?

Yes. SharePoint runs in your browser, so most shortcuts work on a Mac. Replace Ctrl with Cmd for text editing, such as Cmd + B for bold. Alt-based commands depend on your browser and often need Control + Option.

Are SharePoint Online and SharePoint 2019 shortcuts the same?

No. Microsoft documents separate shortcut lists for SharePoint in Microsoft 365 and SharePoint Server on-premises. Basic keys like Tab, Shift + F10 and Ctrl + C match, but page editing and library keys differ.

What does Alt + N do in SharePoint?

In a SharePoint Online document library, Alt + N creates a new document. To create a folder, press Alt + N, Tab to New Folder, then press Enter. In classic SharePoint, Alt + N also triggered other buttons on some pages.

How do I open the context menu with the keyboard?

Select the file or item, then press Shift + F10 or the Menu key on Windows. This opens the same menu you get with a right-click, including Open, Share, Download and Delete.

How do I add a SharePoint folder to File Explorer?

Open the library in your browser, select the folder, and click Add shortcut to My files. The folder then appears inside your OneDrive folder in File Explorer or Finder, as long as the OneDrive sync app is running.

Can I create a shortcut to a single file in SharePoint?

No. Add shortcut to My files works for folders and libraries only. For a single file, copy its link and share it, or keep it in a folder you add as a shortcut.

How do I create a desktop shortcut to a SharePoint site?

Open the site in Edge or Chrome and press Ctrl + D to bookmark it. To get a desktop icon, drag the padlock icon from the address bar onto your desktop. This creates a link that opens the site in your browser.

Why are my SharePoint shortcuts not working?

The most common causes are using a shortcut from an older SharePoint version, keyboard focus outside the page, a browser extension taking the key, or a non-US keyboard layout. See the six fixes above.

Is there a SharePoint shortcut cheat sheet PDF?

Yes. Use the download button above for a free one-page PDF of every shortcut in this guide, grouped by SharePoint Online, SharePoint Server and Mac.

Key Takeaways

• SharePoint Online and SharePoint Server use different shortcuts. Check your version first.
• The five keys worth learning first: Alt + S, Alt + N, Alt + U, Shift + F10 and Ctrl + K.
• On a Mac, swap Ctrl for Cmd when editing text.
• To see a SharePoint folder in File Explorer, use Add shortcut to My files, not a keyboard shortcut.
• If a shortcut fails, click into the page, select the item, and test without browser extensions.

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