Ctrl+A
Alternatively known as Control+A, ^a, and C-a, Ctrl+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.
How to use the Ctrl+A keyboard shortcut
To use this keyboard shortcut, press and hold either Ctrl key, and while continuing to hold, press A.
Ctrl+A in Excel and other spreadsheet programs
In Microsoft Excel and all other spreadsheet programs, pressing Ctrl+A selects all cells in the spreadsheet.
If you're editing the contents of a cell and press Ctrl+A, nothing will happen.
Ctrl+A in Microsoft PowerPoint
In Microsoft PowerPoint, Ctrl+A has the following functions.
- In the Normal view, select all contents of the slide.
- In the Slide Sorter view, select all slides.
- In the Slide Show view, change the pen tool to the normal cursor.
Ctrl+A in Microsoft Word
In Microsoft Word and other word processors, pressing Ctrl+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.
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.
Ctrl+A in Google Docs
Pressing Ctrl+A in Google Docs selects all the text in a document.
Using Ctrl+A in an Internet browser
All major Internet browsers (e.g., Chrome, Edge, Firefox) pressing Ctrl+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 select only what you want.
Using Ctrl+A in Linux bash shell
While at a bash shell in Linux, pressing Ctrl+A moves to the beginning of the line currently being typed.
Using Ctrl+A in PuTTY
With PuTTY Ctrl+A moves to the beginning of the line currently being typed.
Related keyboard shortcuts and keys
Below are links to related keyboard shortcuts and individual key pages.