I realize there are many readers who will say, “Duh!” to this tip, but I’m going to reveal my technical “duh-ness” and share it anyway.
I’ve noticed several situations lately where I’m typing and can’t seem to paste. The right click on the mouse is gone to Tahiti. It seems like such a basic function, this confuses me. It could be that the software manufacturer wants me to upgrade to the paid account with bells and whistles.
But I’m not that kind of girl.
More likely, there’s an obscure button someplace that I’m supposed to use for pasting. Or maybe it’s smack dab in front of my face, but I can’t find it. That wouldn’t be the first time.
Anyway, I started messing around with keyboard shortcuts. I could have hacked the Secret Service interface with all the mis-keys I typed, holding down ctrl and another key. But after doing whoknowswhatkindofdamage to my computer, I found the right one.
Control-V
That’s keyboard-speak for “paste”.
So now I use it anytime the electronic powers-that-be won’t allow me to right click. In my Yahoo email account I’ll ctrl-V to paste an excerpt, or rearrange my message. And I’ll ctrl-V in MS Word because their dumb “insert hyperlink” gizmo doesn’t let me right click either. Like I’m going to transcribe a 200-character permalink.
So there. Please tell me I’m smart.
For more titillating tips, check out Rocks in My Dryer.
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1:17 am
awwww… did I tell you my husband teaches microsoft office.
word, excel, access, frontpage…etc
he’s always sharing those kind of tips with me and I just sort of forget them
I bet he’s very handy! My husband is a great fixer-of-things, but he doesn’t know much about the computer.
8:24 am
That was helpful to me to learn, too, courtesy of my techie son.
There are some situations where the right click just doesn’t register. You may already know these, but here are a couple more: Control-X = cut and Control-C = copy. I think there are more, but those are the ones I use most.
Thank you!! Great tips!
9:29 am
Don’t feel bad. I only learned to do this recently myself. We learn as we go!
10:39 am
I love “Control V”! I’ve just learned “Control Z” for those little goof ups too! Computers are amazing! You just have to
know what you are doing (unfortunately, I’m still learning!)!!
Thanks for the tip!
Tracy
12:48 pm
Here’s another tip for you. Hit Ctrl + Tab to switch between any programs you may have open on your computer.
12:48 pm
Sorry, that’s Alt + Tab!
12:49 pm
don’t feel bad about this – feel empowered that you learned it and are using it and sharing the knowledge! hot keys are your friends!
(also, control + s is save and control + p is print.)
1:03 pm
Okay – so I’m decidedly NOT smart about this, but I’m so glad I posted my “find” because you guys are teaching my so much! I never knew any of these shortcuts.
You ROCK!
4:30 pm
Ctrl+Alt+Delete for force quitting a program, when it is not responding. :O)
5:39 pm
I am clueless about this kind of stuff too. I did know that one, but my husband is constantly telling me why don’t you use this shortcut or that key ect. Glad to know I’m not the only one!
12:08 am
I’m sure there are tons of shortcuts that are out there just waiting for both of us to discover them!
10:41 am
See? Blogging is EDUCATIONAL. Not just a time sucker
.
11:16 am
AND YET NO ONE HAS TOLD ME I’M SMART!!!!!!
8:56 pm
You’re not smart – you’re brilliant. ;o) Imagine living with a programmer……LOL
Hugs,
Holly
Holly’s Corner
Hahahaha! Thanks, Holly;)
9:16 am
Very smart to find a shortcut, use it, and share it with others.
THANK YOU!!
I’m such a big baby;)