Posted on: Tuesday, October 3, 2006
Browsers a breeze with shortcut
By Kim Komando
Do you want to use the Web more efficiently? Start using the keyboard. Every browser has its own shortcut keys.
These keystrokes are similar to those used in popular software programs. In many cases, keystrokes do the same thing in different programs. But browsers have unique keystrokes, too. Here's a selection of handy shortcuts for Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Apple Safari.
INTERNET EXPLORER AND FIREFOX
Arrow keys: Scroll the page up and down or horizontally.
Page Up: Scrolls the page up one screen.
Page Down: Scrolls the page down one screen.
Home: Takes you to the top of the page.
End: Takes you to the bottom of the page.
Ctrl + F: Searches the page.
Ctrl + R: Reloads the page.
Esc: Stops loading the page.
Ctrl + P: Prints the page.
Alt + right arrow: Takes you forward a page.
Alt + left arrow: Takes you back a page.
Alt + Home: Takes you to your starting page.
Ctrl + D: Adds page to your Favorites or Bookmarks.
Ctrl + S: Saves the page.
Ctrl + C: Copies selected items.
Ctrl + A: Selects all content on the page.
Ctrl + H: Shows history.
Ctrl + N: Opens a new window.
Ctrl + W: Closes window.
Alt: Allows you to navigate the menu with the arrow keys.
INTERNET EXPLORER ONLY
Alt + D: Lets you use the address bar.
Ctrl + I: Shows Favorites.
FIREFOX ONLY
Ctrl + +: Increases text size.
Ctrl + -: Decreases text size.
Ctrl + 0: Makes text default size.
Ctrl + B: Shows Bookmarks.
Ctrl + Shift + D: Adds all tabs to your Bookmarks.
One of the best features in Firefox is the tabbed browsing. It allows you to have several Web pages open in the same window. Firefox has shortcuts to help you manage tabs and navigate between them.
Ctrl + T: Opens a new tab.
Ctrl + W: Closes tab.
Ctrl + Tab: Moves to the next tab.
Ctrl + Shift + Tab: Moves to the previous tab.
SAFARI
Arrow keys: Scrolls up and down or horizontally.
Space bar: Scrolls down a screen.
Shift + Space bar: Scrolls up a screen.
Ctrl + click link: Opens link in a new window.
Cmd + F: Searches within the current page.
Cmd + D: Bookmarks page.
Cmd + B: Shows Bookmarks.
Cmd + P: Prints the current window.
Cmd + A: Selects the contents of the entire page.
Cmd + C: Copies selected text.
Cmd + S: Saves the current page.
Cmd + R: Reloads page.
Cmd + N: Opens a new window.
Cmd + W: Closes window.
Cmd + Q: Closes Safari.
Cmd + , : Opens Safari preferences.
Cmd + /: Displays the status bar.
For cheat sheets listing shortcut keys for Firefox and Internet Explorer, visit my Web site at www.komando.com/news. Print them out and consult them while you're learning the keystrokes.
