The Best Shortcuts to Maximize Your Productivity

I'm obsessed with being hyper productive. We only have a short time on this wonderful planet and I want to get as much done as possible so I can get back to what matters the most to me, my family.

To make the most of my time, I employ a wide range of tools ranging from Grammarly, ChatGPT, Gemini, and the world's best productivity mouse. Here is my list of go-to shortcuts for the most productive day ever.

Keyboard Shortcut to Cut a Cell Value

If you're on Windows, select the cell that contains your target data, then click the CTRL key and the X key. For Mac users,the correct keyboard shortcut to cut a cell value is the Command and X key.

If you find yourself working in Excel a lot, consider mapping this key binding to your mouse. Doing so will save you time and help stave off the ever present threat of carpal tunnel by reducing your keystrokes.

Shortcut to Open Snipping Tool

To open the Windows snipping tool press the Windows Key + Shift + S. This is a great way to capture snippets of dynamic fields that either disappear or change once you click anywhere on the screen.

Reopen Recently Closed Tab Shortcut

To open a tab you've accidently closed in Chrome, press the CTRL + Shift + T keys. This will open up the tabs you've closed one at a time in order of when you closed it.

Keep in mind that this won't work if you've closed a tab that you had in Incognito mode. This can be a bad or good thing depending on what site you were visiting.

The Saving Shortcut

Within most spreadsheet and word processing programs, the saving shortcut is found by pressing the CTRL and S key for Windows and Command and S key for Mac users. If you'd rather not worrying about manually saving your work, consider using a continuous backup method like OneDrive.

With OneDrive, you can work in Excel or Word on the Desktop without having to worrry about compulsively spamming CTRL + S every time you type a sentence. Keep in mind that you'll need a steady, strong Internet connection to use this feature especially if you're working on a large file.

Alternatively, if you prefer to use a web based tool, both Microsoft and Google over productivity apps that constantly sync to the cloud.

Undo Shortcut in Excel

To undo in Excel press the CTRL + Z key combination in Windows and the Command + Z combinations on Mac. Now, if only they could make one of these for life.

Make Text Bold Shortcut

To make text bold, highlight the target text and press CTRL + B in Windows or Command + B in Mac. You can also start your text in bold at any point by pressing this key combination and turn it off by pressing it again.

Quickly Launch Incognito Mode

The keyboard for launching private browsing mode or Incognito mode in Chrome and Edge is CTRL + Shift + N for Windows and Command + Shift + N in the Mac world.

Open Task Manager Shortcut

Bypass the intermediate step and open the Task Manager directly by pressing CTRL + Shift + Esc on Windows. This shortcut is a swift way to access system monitoring or close unresponsive applications without going through the CTRL + ALT + DEL screen.

Switch Between Virtual Desktops Shortcut

For those who love organizing their work on different virtual desktops, you can switch between them seamlessly on Windows by pressing CTRL + Windows Key + Left or Right Arrow. This helps maintain a clutter-free workspace and enhances focus.

Instantly Lock Your Computer

Secure your workstation in a flash by pressing Windows Key + L on Windows. This shortcut is essential for quickly locking your screen before stepping away, ensuring your work remains private.

Access Emoji Keyboard on Windows Shortcut

Emojis aren't just for phones; you can access an emoji keyboard on Windows 10 and later by pressing Windows Key + . (period). This feature adds a fun and expressive twist to your digital communications.

Access Windows Search Shortcut

On Windows, pressing Windows Key + S opens the search bar, allowing you to quickly look up files, applications, or web queries. It's a fast way to access information or launch applications without navigating through menus.

Open File Explorer or Finder Shortcut

Access your files easily by pressing Windows Key + E on Windows to open File Explorer. On Mac, pressing Command + N while Finder is active brings up a new Finder window, helping you navigate your files efficiently.

Duplicate Tab Shortcut

To duplicate a tab in Chrome, Opera, and Safari, right click the tab and select the 'Duplicate'. This great for CRM admins and anyone working in a web app as it allows you to mirror a page without having to navigate to it.

Take those shortcuts in life

Whether you're running a business, working your 9 to 5, or chasing your dreams some other way, shortcuts make life easier. Be sure to bookmark this site and share it with a colleague to help boost the productivity of your network.

Matt Irving is the CEO of Super Easy Tech, LLC.

Matt is the CEO of Super Easy Tech and creator of Super Easy CRM. He is a passionate software engineer, tech blogger, and gamer. Feel free to connect on any of the platforms listed below.

Posted by: Matt Irving on 3/11/2024