Windows Notepad Keyboard Shortcuts

Windows Notepad — is a simple but popular text editor that comes with the Windows operating system. It's often used for creating notes, storing text information, editing scripts and configuration files.

Despite its simplicity, Notepad supports keyboard shortcuts that allow you to:

• Quickly perform operations with files and text.
• Speed up document navigation.
• Work without constantly using the mouse.

Learning Notepad keyboard shortcuts becomes especially effective when combined with mastering shortcuts for other programs — many users simultaneously study Outlook keyboard shortcuts for comprehensive work with text and email. Additionally, regular practice through special exercises, including typing speed test, significantly improves overall keyboard efficiency and work with any text editors. Below is a complete list of key combinations, grouped by function.

File Management

• Ctrl + N — create new document.
• Ctrl + O — open existing file.
• Ctrl + S — save current document.
• F12 — save as…
• Ctrl + P — print.
• Alt + F4 — close Notepad.

Text Editing

• Ctrl + Z — undo last action.
• Ctrl + Y — redo undone action.
• Ctrl + X — cut selected text.
• Ctrl + C — copy selected text.
• Ctrl + V — paste text from clipboard.
• Delete — delete selected text.
• Ctrl + A — select all text.

Text Formatting and Parameters

Although Notepad lacks advanced formatting, basic settings are available:

• F5 — insert current date and time.
• Alt + O, F — enable or disable word wrap.
• Ctrl + mouse wheel — change text display zoom (in new Windows 11 versions).
• Ctrl + 0 — reset zoom.

Text Navigation

• Arrow keys — move by characters and lines.
• Home — go to beginning of line.
• End — go to end of line.
• Ctrl + Home — go to beginning of document.
• Ctrl + End — go to end of document.
• Page Up / Page Down — move screen up/down.

Find and Replace

• Ctrl + F — find text.
• F3 — find next occurrence.
• Shift + F3 — find previous occurrence (in newer versions).
• Ctrl + H — replace text.
• Ctrl + G — go to specified line (when line numbering is enabled).

Window Management

• Alt + Spacebar — open window system menu (minimize, maximize, move).
• Alt + Tab — switch between application windows.
• Ctrl + Tab — switch between tabs (in Notepad versions with tab support, Windows 11).
• Ctrl + Shift + T — restore closed tab (new feature in Windows 11).

Special Features

• F1 — open help (or Microsoft support page in browser).
• Ctrl + Shift + N — create new Notepad in separate window (Windows 11).
• Ctrl + W — close current tab (Windows 11).
• Alt + Shift + left/right arrow — move tab (Windows 11).

Conclusion

Windows Notepad — is a minimalist tool valued for its speed and simplicity. Despite the lack of complex formatting, knowledge of keyboard shortcuts allows you to:

1. Quickly manage files.
2. Edit text without mouse.
3. Efficiently navigate document and find needed information.

If you frequently use Notepad, I recommend learning at least the basic combinations (Ctrl + S, Ctrl + F, F5), then gradually mastering the advanced features of the latest Windows 11 versions with tab support and zoom functionality.