Confluence Keyboard Shortcuts

Windows Ctrl is the modifier throughout: Ctrl+Alt+C to comment, Ctrl+B/I/U for text formatting. A few shortcuts (toggling the sidebar, panels, comments) use Ctrl on Windows too, avoiding a clash with browser shortcuts.

Mac Cmd covers most actions, but several use Ctrl instead to dodge macOS and Safari shortcuts, and text formatting (bold, italic, underline) uses Option rather than Cmd.

Global navigation. Jump Home, open recent or starred pages, or search, all from a modifier chord that works on any Confluence screen.

Page and comment actions. Create a page, publish, comment, watch, or share, without leaving the keyboard.

Formatting. Headings, lists, quotes, links, and tables while editing a page or live doc.

Autocomplete and markdown. Type "/" for quick insert, "@" to mention someone, or start a line with "# " or "* " to format it directly, no menu required.

Whiteboards. A separate set of tool, edit, and navigation shortcuts for Confluence's whiteboard canvas.

A printable PDF of Confluence shortcuts is available for each platform. The markdown-typing shortcuts and the comment/publish chords are the ones worth learning first.

These apps sit near Confluence because teams that document and plan work in Confluence typically track issues, chat, and design work in the same set of tools. They are related by how teams actually work together, not because they duplicate Confluence's own function.

Are Confluence's keyboard shortcuts the same on Windows and Mac?

Mostly, but not entirely. Most shortcuts swap Ctrl for Cmd as expected, but some (like Enter presenter mode, Quick search, and text formatting) use different keys entirely on Mac, and several stick with Ctrl on both platforms to avoid clashing with browser shortcuts.

How do I quickly add a heading or list without using a toolbar in Confluence?

Start a new line by typing "# " for a heading or "* " for a bullet list. Confluence converts the typed markdown into formatting as soon as you press the space.

What does the slash command do in Confluence?

Typing "/" opens a menu with everything you'd otherwise reach from the toolbar: formatting, tables, links, macros, and custom apps, filtered as you keep typing.

This section lists official sources and documentation for Confluence. Use these references to verify shortcut behavior instead of trusting old notes, screenshots, or memory.