WordPad Shortcut Keys – Complete Keyboard Shortcuts
WordPad Shortcut Keys help you perform common tasks like formatting text, saving files, copying content, and navigating documents much faster without constantly using the mouse.
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WordPad is a lightweight text editor built into Windows, often used for quick notes, basic documents, and simple formatting tasks. While it’s simpler than Microsoft Word, using WordPad keyboard shortcuts can significantly improve your speed and productivity, especially for everyday editing work.
In this guide, you’ll find a complete list of essential WordPad shortcuts, neatly organized so you can quickly find the keys you need. Whether you’re a beginner or someone who uses WordPad occasionally, these shortcuts will help you work more efficiently.
Top 10 Most Useful WordPad Shortcut Keys
Here are the most commonly used WordPad keyboard shortcuts that help you work faster and avoid repetitive mouse actions:
- Ctrl + N – Create a new document
- Ctrl + O – Open an existing document
- Ctrl + S – Save the current document
- Ctrl + P – Print the document
- Ctrl + C – Copy selected text
- Ctrl + X – Cut selected text
- Ctrl + V – Paste copied or cut content
- Ctrl + B – Make selected text bold
- Ctrl + Z – Undo the last action
- Ctrl + A – Select the entire document
Tip: Memorizing just these 10 WordPad shortcuts can handle most everyday editing tasks without touching the mouse.
Prefer offline access? Download the WordPad shortcut keys PDF for quick reference.
Basic WordPad Shortcut Keys
| Action | Shortcuts |
|---|---|
| Create a New document | Ctrl + N |
| Open an Existing document | Ctrl + O |
| Save | Ctrl + S |
| Save As | F12 |
| Ctrl + P | |
| Close | Alt + F4 |
| Undo | Ctrl + Z |
| Redo | Ctrl + Y |
Editing Shortcut Keys in WordPad
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Select the entire document | Ctrl + A |
| Copy | Ctrl + C |
| Cut | Ctrl + X |
| Paste | Ctrl + V |
| Find the text | Ctrl + F |
| Find the next instance of the text | F3 |
| Replace the text | Ctrl + H |
| Delete the next word | Ctrl + Delete |
Formatting Shortcut Keys in WordPad
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Make selected text bold | Ctrl + B |
| Italicize selected text | Ctrl + I |
| Underline selected text | Ctrl + U |
| Make selected text subscript | Ctrl + + |
| Make selected text superscript | Ctrl + Shift + + |
| Align text left | Ctrl + L |
| Align text center | Ctrl + E |
| Align text right | Ctrl + R |
| Justify text | Ctrl + J |
| Set single-line spacing | Ctrl + 1 |
| Set double-line spacing | Ctrl + 2 |
| Set line spacing to 1.5 | Ctrl + 5 |
| Increase the font size | Ctrl + Shift + > |
| Decrease the font size | Ctrl + Shift + < |
| Change characters to all capitals | Ctrl + Shift + A |
| Change the bullet style | Ctrl + Shift + L |
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Move the cursor one word to the left | Ctrl + Left Arrow key |
| Move the cursor one word to the right | Ctrl + Right Arrow key |
| Move the cursor to the line above | Ctrl + Up Arrow key |
| Move the cursor to the line below | Ctrl + Down Arrow key |
| Move to the beginning of the document | Ctrl + Home |
| Move to the end of the document | Ctrl + End |
| Move up one page | Ctrl + Page Up |
| Move down one page | Ctrl + Page Down |
Insert, Help & Miscellaneous Shortcuts
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Insert a Microsoft Paint drawing | Ctrl + D |
| Show the current shortcut menu | Shift + F10 |
| Open WordPad Help | F1 |
| Display key tips | F10 |
Using WordPad shortcut keys is one of the easiest ways to work faster when creating or editing simple documents on Windows. Once you get used to these keyboard shortcuts, everyday tasks like formatting text and navigating files become much more efficient. If you ever need more advanced features, exploring other WordPad alternatives can help you find a tool that better fits your workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions About WordPad Shortcut Keys
The most important WordPad shortcut keys include Ctrl + N (New document), Ctrl + S (Save), Ctrl + C (Copy), Ctrl + V (Paste), and Ctrl + Z (Undo). These shortcuts cover most basic editing and file tasks.
Many WordPad keyboard shortcuts are similar to Microsoft Word, especially for basic actions like copy, paste, save, and formatting. However, WordPad has fewer advanced shortcuts because it is a simpler text editor.
No, WordPad does not support custom keyboard shortcuts. Users must rely on the default shortcut keys provided by Windows.
WordPad is included in most versions of Windows, but Microsoft has started phasing it out in newer Windows releases. Availability may vary depending on your Windows version.
WordPad is suitable for basic documents and quick edits, but it lacks advanced features found in professional tools like Microsoft Word. It’s best used for lightweight writing tasks.
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