Learn iPad keyboard shortcuts

If you have an external keyboard connected to your iPad, you can use keyboard shortcuts to do things that normally need a mouse, trackpad, or other input device.

See keyboard shortcuts in the menu bar

To see a list of shortcuts that you can use with an app, swipe down from the middle of the top edge of the iPad screen, then select a menu. If you have a mouse or trackpad, you can also move your pointer to the top edge to show the menu bar.

see keyboard shortcuts

If you don't see the menu bar, make sure Windowed Apps or Stage Manager is on.

Use common keyboard shortcuts

Most iPad keyboard shortcuts use the Command ⌘ key, like on a Mac. If you're more familiar with a PC keyboard, the Command ⌘ key does the same thing as the Control key on a PC. Keyboards from Apple also have a Globe key which offer additional functions.

Editing

  • Command-A: Select all items.

  • Command-X: Cut the selected item and copy it to the clipboard.

  • Command-C: Copy the selected item to the clipboard.

  • Command-V: Paste contents of the clipboard.

  • Command-Z: Undo previous action.

  • Shift-Command-Z: Redo to reverse undo command.

  • Globe or Globe-E: Show Emoji.

  • Globe-D: Start Dictation.

  • Command-B: Boldface the selected text, or turn boldfacing on or off.

  • Command-I: Italicize the selected text, or turn italics on or off.

  • Command-K: Add a web link.

  • Command-U: Underline the selected text, or turn underlining on or off.

System commands

  • Globe-A: Show or hide the Dock.

  • Globe-Shift-A: Show or hide App Library.

  • Globe-C: Show Control Center.

  • Globe-H: Go to the Home Screen.

  • Globe-M: Show Menu Bar.

  • Globe-N: Show Lock Screen.

  • Command-Space bar: Show or hide Spotlight.

  • Command-Shift-3: Take a screenshot.

  • Command-Shift-4: Take a screenshot and immediately open Markup to view or edit it.

Window management

  • Command-W: Close a window.

  • Command-M: Minimize a window.

  • Globe-F: Enter or exit full screen.

  • Command-Tab: Switch to the next most recently used app among your open apps.

  • Control-Globe-Arrow: Tile the current window to half the screen in the direction of the pressed arrow.

  • Control-Shift-Globe-Arrow: Arrange the current and most recent windows in two halves of the screen, with the active window placed in the half of the screen in the direction of the pressed arrow.

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