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 Keyboard navigation for more information on navigating user interfaces with only the keyboard.

Getting around the desktop

Alt+F1 or the

Super key

Switch between the Activities overview and desktop. In the overview, start typing to instantly search your applications, contacts, and documents.

Alt+F2

Pop up command window (for quickly running commands).

Use the arrow keys to quickly access previously run commands.

Super+Tab

Quickly switch between windows. Hold down Shift for reverse order.

Super+`

Switch between windows from the same application, or from the selected application after Super+Tab.

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.

Alt+Esc

Switch between windows in the current workspace. Hold down Shift for reverse order.

Ctrl+Alt+Tab

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.

Super+A

Show the list of applications.

Super+Page Up

and

Super+Page Down

Switch between workspaces.

Shift+Super+Page Up

and

Shift+Super+Page Down

Move the current window to a different workspace.

Shift+Super+

Move the current window one monitor to the left.

Shift+Super+

Move the current window one monitor to the right.

Ctrl+Alt+Delete

Show the Power Off dialog.

Super+L

Lock the screen.

Super+V

Show the notification list. Press Super+V again or Esc to close.

Common editing shortcuts

Ctrl+A

Select all text or items in a list.

Ctrl+X

Cut (remove) selected text or items and place it on the clipboard.

Ctrl+C

Copy selected text or items to the clipboard.

Ctrl+V

Paste the contents of the clipboard.

Ctrl+Z

Undo the last action.

Capturing from the screen

Print Screen

Take a screenshot.

Alt+Print Screen

Take a screenshot of a window.

Shift+Print Screen

Take a screenshot of an area of the screen. The pointer changes to a crosshair. Click and drag to select an area.

Ctrl+Alt+Shift+R

Start and stop screencast recording.