Ctrl+[

Updated: 05/01/2023 by Computer Hope
Ctrl+[ or Ctrl and open bracket keyboard shortcut

The Ctrl+[ keyboard shortcut is most commonly used in Microsoft Word and other text editors to decrease the font size of selected text. Below are other programs that use this keyboard shortcut and related information.

How to use the Ctrl+[

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

Ctrl+[ in Microsoft Word

Highlighting text in Microsoft Word and then pressing Ctrl+[ (Ctrl and open bracket) decreases the selected font by one point (-1pts).

Tip

Using the Ctrl+Shift+< shortcut can be faster if you need to increase more than 1pts at a time.

Ctrl+[ in Microsoft Excel

Pressing Ctrl+[ selects all cells referenced by formula in active cell. For example, if the active cell had the formula "=sum(A1:A10)" cells A1 through A10 would be highlighted when this shortcut is pressed.

Ctrl+[ in Microsoft PowerPoint

In Microsoft PowerPoint, Ctrl+[ decreases font size of selected text.

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

Bracket, Ctrl, Keyboard shortcut, Keyboard terms