Ctrl+Alt+F2

Updated: 11/12/2023 by Computer Hope

Ctrl+Alt+F2 or Alt+Ctrl+F2 is a keyboard shortcut most commonly used to open a document in Microsoft Word. Below are other programs that use this keyboard shortcut and related information.

How to use the Ctrl+Alt+F2 keyboard shortcut

To use this keyboard shortcut, press and hold either Ctrl and Alt key, and while continuing to hold, press the F2 key.

Note

If you're using a laptop or keyboard with an fn key, you may need to press the fn key first or press Ctrl+Alt+Fn+F2 for this keyboard shortcut to work.

Ctrl+Alt+F2 in Linux

With some early variants of Linux, pressing Ctrl+Alt+F2 switches to the second/first open console window (virtual terminal).

Note

With recent versions of Linux, the GUI (graphical user interface) is loaded as the first virtual terminal instead of the seventh one.

Tip

Using Alt+← and Alt+→ is an easier method of navigating between virtual terminals.

Ctrl+Alt+F2 in Microsoft Word

In Microsoft Word, pressing Ctrl+Alt+F2 opens a document.

Microsoft Word keyboard shortcuts.

Ctrl+Alt+F2 in Microsoft PowerPoint

In Microsoft PowerPoint, Ctrl+Alt+F2 opens existing slide deck.

Full list of PowerPoint shortcuts.

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

Keyboard shortcut, Keyboard terms