Microsoft Word is a powerful tool that allows users to create and format documents with ease. However, formatting can be time-consuming if you don’t know the right shortcuts. Whether you’re a student, professional, or writer, mastering keyboard shortcuts is essential to save time and boost productivity. In this blog, we’ll cover the decrease indent shortcut and highlight over 20 other useful Microsoft Word shortcuts to help you save hours of formatting time.
Additionally, we’ll dive into how to open WordPerfect files (.WPD) in Microsoft Word and update all fields in your Word documents to ensure your files stay accurate and up-to-date.
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What is the Decrease Indent Shortcut in Microsoft Word?
One of the most common formatting tasks in Word is adjusting the indentations of paragraphs. When you want to decrease the indent of a paragraph, you can use a keyboard shortcut instead of manually adjusting the settings through the Ribbon.
The shortcut to decrease indent in Microsoft Word is:
- Ctrl + Shift + M (Windows)
- Cmd + Shift + M (Mac)
This shortcut will move the selected paragraph back toward the left margin by one level. It’s particularly useful when you’re dealing with lists or nested items, such as bullet points or numbered lists.
20+ Microsoft Word Shortcuts to Save Hours of Formatting
Mastering keyboard shortcuts in Microsoft Word can drastically improve your efficiency. Below are more than 20 essential shortcuts to help you save time when formatting your documents.
1. Decrease Indent
- Windows:
Ctrl + Shift + M - Mac:
Cmd + Shift + M
2. Increase Indent
- Windows:
Ctrl + M - Mac:
Cmd + M
3. Bold Text
- Windows:
Ctrl + B - Mac:
Cmd + B
4. Italicize Text
- Windows:
Ctrl + I - Mac:
Cmd + I
5. Underline Text
- Windows:
Ctrl + U - Mac:
Cmd + U
6. Copy Text
- Windows:
Ctrl + C - Mac:
Cmd + C
7. Cut Text
- Windows:
Ctrl + X - Mac:
Cmd + X
8. Paste Text
- Windows:
Ctrl + V - Mac:
Cmd + V
9. Select All
- Windows:
Ctrl + A - Mac:
Cmd + A
10. Undo
- Windows:
Ctrl + Z - Mac:
Cmd + Z
11. Redo
- Windows:
Ctrl + Y - Mac:
Cmd + Shift + Z
12. Insert Hyperlink
- Windows:
Ctrl + K - Mac:
Cmd + K
13. Open Document
- Windows:
Ctrl + O - Mac:
Cmd + O
14. Save Document
- Windows:
Ctrl + S - Mac:
Cmd + S
15. Find Text
- Windows:
Ctrl + F - Mac:
Cmd + F
16. Replace Text
- Windows:
Ctrl + H - Mac:
Cmd + H
17. Center Align Text
- Windows:
Ctrl + E - Mac:
Cmd + E
18. Left Align Text
- Windows:
Ctrl + L - Mac:
Cmd + L
19. Right Align Text
- Windows:
Ctrl + R - Mac:
Cmd + R
20. Add or Remove Bullet Points
- Windows:
Ctrl + Shift + L - Mac:
Cmd + Shift + L
21. Show or Hide Paragraph Marks
- Windows:
Ctrl + Shift + 8 - Mac:
Cmd + 8
22. Increase Font Size
- Windows:
Ctrl + Shift + > - Mac:
Cmd + Shift + >
23. Decrease Font Size
- Windows:
Ctrl + Shift + < - Mac:
Cmd + Shift + <
By learning and utilizing these shortcuts, you can significantly speed up the process of formatting and editing your documents. These shortcuts are especially useful for users working on long documents, like reports, academic papers, and more.
How to Open WordPerfect Files (.WPD) in Microsoft Word
If you’re dealing with WordPerfect files (.WPD), you may need to open them in Microsoft Word to make edits or conversions. Fortunately, Word supports opening .WPD files. Here’s how to open WordPerfect files in Microsoft Word:
Step 1: Open Microsoft Word
Start by opening Microsoft Word on your computer.
Step 2: Open the File
- Click on File in the top-left corner.
- Choose Open, then navigate to the location where your .WPD file is saved.
Step 3: Select the File
Make sure the file type filter is set to “All Files” so that you can view .WPD files. Click on the WordPerfect file and select Open.
Step 4: Word Converts the File
Word will attempt to convert the .WPD file to its own format. The process might take a few moments.
Step 5: Review and Save the Document
After opening the file, review the document to ensure formatting is correct. Save the file in .DOCX format for easy future editing.
How to Update All Fields in Microsoft Word
If you’ve opened a document with fields (such as page numbers, dates, or references), you might need to update them to reflect the most recent changes. Here’s how to update all fields:
Step 1: Select All Content
Press Ctrl + A (or Cmd + A on Mac) to select everything in the document.
Step 2: Update Fields
Press F9 on your keyboard to update all fields, or right-click and select Update Field.
Step 3: Save Your Document
Don’t forget to save your updated document by pressing Ctrl + S (or Cmd + S).
Conclusion
By mastering Microsoft Word shortcuts, including the decrease indent shortcut, you can significantly reduce the time you spend formatting your documents. Additionally, knowing how to open WordPerfect files and update fields ensures that your documents remain accurate and easy to work with. The combination of these strategies will make you more productive, whether you’re writing a report, a book, or just drafting a letter.
By incorporating these shortcuts into your workflow, you’ll have more time to focus on the content and less on manual formatting. Start practicing today and watch your productivity soar!
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