Using keyboard shortcuts in WordPress will save you lot of time during content editing and comments moderation. This is also an easy way to format your content faster rather than selecting the options from toolbar icons, especially in distraction free mode where the toolbar is restricted to a few. There are also shortcuts which do not have equivalent icons resulting in not using that function if you are not aware of the keyboard shortcut.
Here is a complete guide of WordPress keyboard shortcuts for Windows / Linux based PCs and macOS.
1. Shortcuts Help in Classic Editor
When you use the classic editor, you can view the list of shortcut keys by clicking the “?” icon available under “Kitchen Sink” toolbar in your WordPress post editor as shown below.
You can also open this shortcuts help by pressing “Alt + Shift + h” in Windows and “Option + Shift + h” in Mac.
1.1. Shortcuts for Content Editing
Below is the complete list of keyboard shortcuts for WordPress editor in Windows and Mac.
- + sign indicates holding previous key and then pressing next key in the sequence. You need not to press + key in the keyboard.
- In Mac “Option” button is same as “Alt” button.
Windows Keyboard Shortcut | Mac Keyboard Shortcut | Function |
---|---|---|
Ctrl + Z | Command + Z | Undo |
Ctrl + Y | Command + Y | Redo |
Ctrl + X | Command + X | Cut |
Ctrl + V | Command + V | Paste |
Ctrl + U | Command + U | Underline |
Ctrl + P | Command + P | |
Ctrl + L | Command + K | Insert or edit link |
Ctrl + I | Command + I | Italic |
Ctrl + Home | Command + Up Arrow | Top of document |
Ctrl + End | Command + Down Arrow | End of document |
Ctrl + C | Command + C | Copy |
Ctrl + B | Command + B | Bold |
Ctrl + A | Command + A | Select all content |
Ctrl + 9 | Command + 9 | Address format |
Ctrl + 6 | Command + 6 | Heading 6 (H6) |
Ctrl + 5 | Command + 5 | Heading 5 (H5) |
Ctrl + 4 | Command + 4 | Heading 4 (H4) |
Ctrl + 3 | Command + 3 | Heading 3 (H3) |
Ctrl + 2 | Command + 2 | Heading 2 (H2) |
Ctrl + 1 | Command + 1 | Heading 1 (H1) |
Alt + Shift + Z | Option + Shift + Z | Show or hide Kitchen Sink toolbar options |
Alt + Shift + X | Option + Shift + X | Add or remove code tag |
Alt + Shift + W | Option + Shift + W | Distraction free writing mode |
Alt + Shift + U | Option + Shift + U | Unordered list |
Alt + Shift + T | Option + Shift + T | Insert more tag |
Alt + Shift + S | Option + Shift + S | Remove link |
Alt + Shift + R | Option + Shift + R | Align right |
Alt + Shift + Q | Option + Shift + Q | Block quote |
Alt + Shift + P | Option + Shift + P | Insert page break |
Alt + Shift + O | Option + Shift + O | Numbered list |
Alt + Shift + N | Option + Shift + N | Spelling check (if spelling check is activated) |
Alt + Shift + M | Option + Shift + M | Insert media |
Alt + Shift + L | Option + Shift + L | Align left |
Alt + Shift + J | Option + Shift + J | Align justify text |
Alt + Shift + H | Option + Shift + H | Keyboard shortcuts help |
Alt + Shift + D | Option + Shift + D | Strikethrough of selected text |
Alt + Shift + C | Option + Shift + C | Align center |
Alt + Shift + A | Option + Shift + A | Insert or edit link |
1.1.1. Adjusting Distraction Free Writing
You can adjust the distraction free writing using the below shortcuts.
Windows Keyboard Shortcut | Mac Keyboard Shortcut | Function |
---|---|---|
Ctrl + + | Command + + | Expanding editor width |
Ctrl + - | Command + - | Contracting editor width |
Ctrl + 0 | Command + 0 | Reset editor to default width |
2. Activate Shortcuts for Comments Moderation
Unlike visual editor shortcuts, comments shortcuts in WordPress need to be activated in your admin dashboard under “Users > Your Profile”.
2.1. Shortcuts for Comments Moderation
There are two types of comments shortcuts available in WordPress.
- Individual Comment Actions
- Bulk Comments Actions
2.1.1. Individual Comment Actions Shortcuts:
Keyboard Shortcut | Function |
---|---|
j | Select comment or move down |
k | Select comment or move up |
a | Approve |
s | Marking as spam |
d | Delete |
z | Restore deleted comment from trash |
u | Unapprove and move comment back to moderation |
r | Reply inline |
q | Quick edit inline |
e | Navigate to edit screen |
2.1.2. Bulk Comments Actions Shortcuts:
Keyboard Shortcut | Function |
---|---|
x | Select comment for bulk action when it is highlighted or select all comments |
Shift + x | Toggle select or deselect comments |
Shift + a | Approve selected comments |
Shift + s | Mark as spam all selected comments |
Shift + d | Delete all selected comments |
Shift + u | Unapprove all selected comments and move back to pending for moderation |
Shift + t | Delete selected comments |
Shift + z | Restore selected comments from trash |
Remember, when you use browser extensions the extension shortcuts may clash with the WordPress editor shortcuts. For example, Mozilla Firefox browser offers various extensions like Keyconfig, Mouseless, Nostagy, etc., to define your own shortcuts. This may overwrite the hotkeys used in WordPress editor.
3. Shortcuts Help in Gutenberg Editor
WordPress introduced a new Gutenberg editor with the release of version 5.0. Gutenberg editor has new shortcuts and you can access the help by clicking on the setting icon and then choosing “Keyboard Shortcuts” option.
Alternatively, you can press “Control + Option + H” keys to open the shortcuts help in Gutenberg editor.
Gutenberg Keyboard Shortcuts
As Gutenberg is a block editor, it has different shortcuts compared to the previous classic editor.
Gutenberg Mac Shortcuts | Description |
---|---|
Control + Option + H | Open shortcuts help. |
Command + S | Save changes. |
Command + Z | Undo |
Shift + Command + Z | Redo |
Shift + Command + , | Toggle sidebar settings. |
Control + Option + O | Open navigation block menu. |
Control + ` (or) Control + Option + N | Navigate next part of the editor. |
Control + Shift + ` (or) Control + Option + P | Navigate to previous part of editor. |
Option + F10 | Navigate to nearest toolbar. |
Shift + Option + Command + M | Toggle code and visual editors. |
Command + A | Select selection. |
Escape | Clear selection. |
Shift + Command + D | Duplicate selected blocks. |
Control + Option + Z | Delete selected blocks. |
Option + Command + T | Insert new block before. |
Option + Command + Y | Insert new block after. |
Change block type after adding new paragraph | / |
Command + B | Bold |
Command + I | Italic |
Command + U | Underline |
Command + K | Convert text to link. |
Shift + Command + K | Remove link. |
Control + Option + D | Strikethrough |
Control + Option + X | Change monospace font. |
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