Useful keyboard shortcuts

Shaun McCance shaunm@gnome.org 2012 Michael Hill mdhillca@gmail.com Ekaterina Gerasimova kittykat3756@gmail.com Get around the desktop using the keyboard. Useful keyboard shortcuts

This page provides an overview of keyboard shortcuts that can help you use your desktop and applications more efficiently. If you cannot use a mouse or pointing device at all, see for more information on navigating user interfaces with only the keyboard.

Getting around the desktop

AltF1 or the Super key	Switch between the Activities overview and desktop. In the overview, start typing to instantly search your applications, contacts, and documents.
AltF2	Pop up command window (for quickly running commands). Use the arrow keys to quickly access previously run commands.
SuperTab	Quickly switch between windows. Hold down Shift for reverse order.
Super`	Switch between windows from the same application, or from the selected application after SuperTab. This shortcut uses ` on US keyboards, where the ` key is above Tab. On all other keyboards, the shortcut is Super plus the key above Tab.
AltEsc	Switch between windows in the current workspace. Hold down Shift for reverse order.
CtrlAltTab	Give keyboard focus to the top bar. In the Activities overview, switch keyboard focus between the top bar, dash, windows overview, applications list, and search field. Use the arrow keys to navigate.
CtrlAltT	Open a Terminal.
CtrlShiftT	Open new terminal tab on same window.
CtrlShiftN	Open new a new terminal window. To use this shortcut, you should already be on a terminal window.
SuperA	Show the list of applications.
SuperPage Up CtrlAlt→ and SuperPage Down CtrlAlt←	Switch between workspaces.
ShiftSuperPage Up ShiftCtrlAlt→ and ShiftSuperPage Down ShiftCtrlAlt←	Move the current window to a different workspace.
ShiftSuper←	Move the current window one monitor to the left.
ShiftSuper→	Move the current window one monitor to the right.
CtrlAltDelete	Show the Power Off dialog.
SuperL	Lock the screen.
SuperV	Show the notification list. Press SuperV again or Esc to close.

Common editing shortcuts

CtrlA	Select all text or items in a list.
CtrlX	Cut (remove) selected text or items and place it on the clipboard.
CtrlC	Copy selected text or items to the clipboard.
CtrlV	Paste the contents of the clipboard.
CtrlZ	Undo the last action.
CtrlShiftC	Copy highlighted text or commands to the clipboard in the terminal.
CtrlShiftV	Paste the contents of the clipboard in the terminal.

Capturing from the screen

Print	Launch the screenshot tool.
AltPrint	Take a screenshot of a window.
ShiftPrint	Take a screenshot of the entire screen..
ShiftCtrlAltR	Start and stop screencast recording.