Google Docs Keyboard Shortcuts

Mac Command (⌘) as the primary modifier. Cmd+/ opens a full shortcut list within Google Docs — a built-in reference you can access without leaving the document. Heading styles use Cmd+Option+1/2/3.

Windows Ctrl as the primary modifier. Ctrl+/ opens the shortcut list within Docs. Heading styles use Ctrl+Alt+1/2/3. The Alt key gives menu bar access to every Docs feature.

ChromeOS Ctrl as the primary modifier — the same as Windows. Google Docs is a primary application on Chromebooks and gets specific coverage for the Chromebook keyboard layout, including the Search/Launcher key. This is the most complete Google Docs context for Chromebook users.

iPhone Requires an external keyboard. The shortcut set is smaller — focused on text formatting and navigation. Command modifier following iOS convention.

Android Requires a Bluetooth keyboard. Coverage similar to iPhone. Ctrl modifier following Android convention.

Text formatting. Bold, italic, underline, strikethrough, heading styles, lists, alignment, and paragraph spacing. The heading style shortcuts (Cmd+Option or Ctrl+Alt with a number) are among the most-used for document structure.

Document navigation. Moving by word, sentence, and paragraph. Jumping to the start or end of the document. Navigating between headings and sections.

Find and Replace. Opening find, find-and-replace, and advanced search with regular expressions.

Suggesting mode. Google Docs' equivalent of tracked changes in Word. Switching between editing and suggesting modes, accepting and rejecting suggestions, and navigating between pending suggestions.

Comments. Inserting comments, opening the comment sidebar, and navigating between comment threads.

Built-in shortcut reference. Pressing Cmd+/ (Mac) or Ctrl+/ (Windows, ChromeOS) opens Google Docs' own keyboard shortcut panel — a searchable, categorized list of all shortcuts available in Docs.

A printable PDF of Google Docs shortcuts is available for each platform. The heading styles and suggesting mode sections are particularly worth having nearby during collaborative document work.

Google Sheets, Google Slides, Microsoft Word, Notion, and Todoist sit near Google Docs because writing work often connects documents, spreadsheets, slides, structured notes, and tasks. Google Sheets and Google Slides are part of the same Google Workspace flow, Microsoft Word is the closest desktop word processor comparison, Notion supports structured notes and project documentation, and Todoist helps turn document work into follow-up tasks. These apps are related by workflow and audience, not because every document needs all of them.

Does Google Docs have a built-in shortcut reference?

Yes. Pressing Ctrl+/ on Windows or ChromeOS, or Cmd+/ on Mac, opens a keyboard shortcut panel within Google Docs. It shows all available shortcuts organized by category and is searchable. This is the fastest way to find a specific shortcut without leaving the document.

Does Google Docs have the same shortcuts on Mac and Windows?

The actions are the same but the modifier keys differ. Mac uses Command; Windows and ChromeOS use Ctrl. Some shortcuts also use secondary modifiers: heading styles use Cmd+Option on Mac and Ctrl+Alt on Windows/ChromeOS.

What is Suggesting mode in Google Docs?

Suggesting mode is Google Docs' equivalent of Track Changes in Microsoft Word. When enabled, edits appear as suggestions attributed to the person making them, rather than being applied directly to the document. It can be toggled by keyboard and has shortcuts for accepting and rejecting individual suggestions. These are covered on each platform page.

This section lists official sources and documentation for Google Docs shortcuts:

These references are useful for checking platform-specific behaviors, understanding browser-dependent features, and troubleshooting conflicts caused by browser or system-level shortcuts. Use them as needed to verify exact key combinations, understand why a shortcut may not work on a specific keyboard layout or language.