Ctrl+F
Alternatively known as Control+F, ^f, and C-f, Ctrl+F is a keyboard shortcut most commonly used to open a find box to locate a specific character, word, or phrase in a document or web page. Below are other programs that use this keyboard shortcut and related information.
How to use the Ctrl+F keyboard shortcut
To use this keyboard shortcut, press and hold either Ctrl key, and while continuing to hold, press F.
Ctrl+F in an Internet browser
In all major Internet browsers (e.g., Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera), pressing Ctrl+F opens the find box that lets you search for characters, text, and phrases on the current page. This shortcut is extremely helpful when trying to find specific text in a long document or article.
Most browsers also support using the Ctrl+G shortcut to advance through found matches. Use Ctrl+Shift+G to go the opposite direction through the matches.
Ctrl+F in Excel and other spreadsheet programs
In spreadsheet programs, pressing Ctrl+F opens the find box that lets you search for characters, text, and phrases within a spreadsheet. In Excel specifically, this shortcut opens the Find and Replace window to replace found text with other text.
To directly open the Replace option, use the Ctrl+H shortcut.
Ctrl+F in Outlook
In Microsoft Outlook, pressing Ctrl+F forwards an e-mail.
Ctrl+F in Microsoft PowerPoint
In Microsoft PowerPoint, Ctrl+F opens the find window.
Ctrl+F in Word and other word processors
In Microsoft Word, and other word processors and text editors, Ctrl+F opens a find box that lets you search for characters, text, and phrases in the current document. In Word specifically, Ctrl+F opens a search box in the Navigation task pane.
Related keyboard shortcuts and keys
Below are links to related keyboard shortcuts and individual key pages.