Command+A

Updated: 12/31/2020 by Computer Hope
Apple Command key, plus sign, and the letter A

Alternatively known as Cmd+A, Command+A is a keyboard shortcut most commonly used to select all text, files, pictures, or other objects while in a graphical user environment. Below are other programs that use this keyboard shortcut and related information.

Tip

On Windows computers, the keyboard shortcut to select all is Ctrl+A.

How to use the Command+A keyboard shortcut

To use this keyboard shortcut, press and hold either Command key, and while continuing to hold, press A.

Command+A in Excel and other spreadsheet programs

In Microsoft Excel and all other spreadsheet programs, pressing Command+A selects all cells in the spreadsheet.

Note

If you're editing the contents of a cell and press Command+A, nothing will happen.

Command+A in Word and other word processors

In Microsoft Word and other word processors, pressing Command+A selects all of the text in the document. If you're working with a document with multiple pages, this keyboard shortcut selects all text on all pages.

Tip

To select one page's text, highlight the text using the mouse or move the text cursor before the first word, hold down Shift, and click the end of the page.

Using Command+A in an Internet browser

In all major Internet browsers (e.g., Chrome, Edge, Firefox), pressing Command+A selects all text, images, and other objects on the page. If you do not want to select everything, it may be better to use the mouse to choose specific items.

Below are links to related keyboard shortcuts and individual key pages.

A, Cmd, Keyboard, Keyboard shortcut, Keyboard terms, Select all