Quickly Select Text in Google Docs Using a Mouse or Keyboard Shortcuts
by Avantix Learning Team | Updated September 26, 2020
Applies to: Google Docs® (Windows)
In Google Docs, you can save lots of time if you can quickly select characters, words, lines, paragraphs and blocks of text in your documents. You can use keyboard shortcuts or mouse shortcuts to select or highlight text. Keep in mind that a paragraph is anything with a hard return after it (you have pressed Return or Enter).
Recommended article: How to Create a Hanging Indent in Google Docs
1. Select an entire document
Click in the document and then press Ctrl + A to select the entire document.
2. Select a word
Double-click a word.
3. Select a paragraph
Triple-click in a paragraph.
4. Select a character to the right or left
Position the cursor where you want to start the selection and press Shift + right arrow or left arrow.
5. Select from the cursor to the end of the line
Position the cursor where you want to start the selection and press Shift + End to select from the cursor to the end of the line.
6. Select from the cursor to the beginning of the line
Position the cursor where you want to start the selection and press Shift + Home to select from the cursor to the beginning of the line.
7. Select from the cursor to the end of the document
Position the cursor where you want to start the selection and then press Ctrl + Shift + End to select to the end of the document.
8. Select from the cursor to the beginning of the document
Position the cursor where you want to start the selection and then press Ctrl + Shift + Home to select to the beginning of the document.
9. Select by word using arrow keys
Position the cursor where you want to start the selection and then press Ctrl + Shift + right arrow or Ctrl + Shift + left arrow.
9. Select by line using arrow keys
Position the cursor where you want to start the selection and then press Shift + down arrow or Shift + up arrow.
10. Select by paragraph using arrow keys
Position the cursor where you want to start the selection and then press Ctrl + Shift + down arrow or Ctrl + Shift + up arrow.
11. Select blocks of text by Shift-clicking
Position the cursor where you want to start the selection and then move or scroll to the location where you want to end the selection Shift-click.
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More resources
How to Strikethrough Text in Google Docs (with Shortcuts)
How to Convert PowerPoint to Google Slides (5 Ways)
How to Apply Superscript or Subscript in Microsoft Word
Related courses
Microsoft Word: Intermediate / Advanced
Microsoft Word: Accessible Word Documents
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