<info> <name>Shaun McCance</name> <email>shaunm@gnome.org</email> <years>2012</years> <name>Michael Hill</name> <email>mdhillca@gmail.com</email> <name>Ekaterina Gerasimova</name> <email>kittykat3756@gmail.com</email> <desc>Get around the desktop using the keyboard.</desc> </info>

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
<keyseq><key>Alt</key><key>F1</key></keyseq> or the Super key | Switch between the <gui>Activities</gui> overview and desktop. In the overview, start typing to instantly search your applications, contacts, and documents.
<keyseq><key>Alt<key>F2</keyseq> | Pop up command window (for quickly running commands)
<keyseq><key>Super<key>Tab</keyseq> | Quickly switch between windows. Hold down <key>Shift for reverse order.
<keyseq><key>Super<key>`</keyseq> | Switch between windows from the same application, or from the selected application after <keyseq><key>Super<key>Tab</keyseq>. This shortcut uses <key>` on US keyboards, where the <key>` key is above <key>Tab. On all other keyboards, the shortcut is <key>Super plus the key above <key>Tab.
<keyseq><key>Alt<key>Esc</keyseq> | Switch between windows in the current workspace. Hold down <key>Shift for reverse order.
<keyseq><key>Ctrl<key>Alt<key>Tab</keyseq> | Give keyboard focus to the top bar. In the <gui>Activities</gui> overview, switch keyboard focus between the top bar, dash, windows overview, applications list, and search field. Use the arrow keys to navigate.
<keyseq><key>Super<key>A</keyseq> | Show the list of applications.
<keyseq><key>Super<key>Page Up</keyseq> and <keyseq><key>Super<key>Page Down</keyseq> | Switch between workspaces.
<keyseq><key>Shift<key>Super<key>Page Up</keyseq> and <keyseq><key>Shift<key>Super<key>Page Down</keyseq> | Move the current window to a different workspace.
<keyseq><key>Shift<key>Super<key>←</keyseq> | Move the current window one monitor to the left.
<keyseq><key>Shift<key>Super<key>→</keyseq> | Move the current window one monitor to the right.
<keyseq><key>Ctrl<key>Alt<key>Delete</keyseq> | Log Out.
<keyseq><key>Super<key>L</keyseq> | Lock the screen.
<keyseq><key>Super<key>M</keyseq> or <keyseq><key>Super<key>V</keyseq> | Open the message tray. Press <keyseq><key>Super<key>M</keyseq> or <keyseq><key>Super<key>V</keyseq> again or <key>Esc to close.

Common editing shortcuts
<keyseq><key>Ctrl<key>A</keyseq> | Select all text or items in a list.
<keyseq><key>Ctrl<key>X</keyseq> | Cut (remove) selected text or items and place it on the clipboard.
<keyseq><key>Ctrl<key>C</keyseq> | Copy selected text or items to the clipboard.
<keyseq><key>Ctrl<key>V</keyseq> | Paste the contents of the clipboard.
<keyseq><key>Ctrl<key>Z</keyseq> | Undo the last action.

Capturing from the screen
<key>Prnt Scrn | Take a screenshot.
<keyseq><key>Alt<key>Prnt Scrn</keyseq> | Take a screenshot of a window.
<keyseq><key>Shift<key>Prnt Scrn</keyseq> | Take a screenshot of an area of the screen. The pointer changes to a crosshair. Click and drag to select an area.
<keyseq><key>Ctrl<key>Alt<key>Shift<key>R</keyseq> | Start and end screencast recording.