How to Boost Your Productivity? Essential Keyboard Shortcuts for iPad Users

If you ask longtime iPad users what makes a iPad so hard to give up, some might mention Apple’s ecosystem, others might point to the excellent development experience, and some might highlight the stunning display quality. But I bet few would mention keyboard shortcuts. Yes, shortcuts are like a double-edged sword: on one hand, they can simplify tasks, letting you zip through operations like a pro; on the other hand, they come with a steep learning curve that can intimidate many potential users. Some say using a iPad requires a guide—whether for system settings or mastering shortcuts, it takes some dedicated learning. So, this blog post will definitely meet most of your daily iPad usage needs!

Before you start learning, please first understand the four major keys

• Command + C: Copy
• Command + V: Paste
• Command + X: Cut Text
• Command + S: Save
• Command + O: Open File
• Command + Z: Undo
• Shift + Command + Z: Redo
• Command + F: Find
• Command + P: Print
• Command + Tab: Switch Between Apps

These iPad shortcuts perform essential Windows-equivalent functions for faster navigation, editing, and multitasking.

• Command + Window: Close
• Control + Command + F: Full Screen
• Fn + F: Full Screen
• Globe🌐+ ← / Globe + → : Switch applications in Split View
• Globe🌐+ ↑ : Display the multitasking interface
• Globe🌐+ ↓ : Display the Dock

These shortcuts help you efficiently manage windows on a iPad, including closing, minimizing, hiding, and entering full-screen mode.

• Globe🌐+ Shift + 3: Take a full-screen screenshot and edit
• Globe🌐+ Shift + 4: Take a screenshot of the selected area and edit

These shortcuts allow you to capture the full screen, a selected area, the Touch Bar, or access advanced screenshot options on a iPad.

• Command + B: Bold
• Command + I: Italic
• Command + U: Underline
• Option + Shift + Command + V: Paste the matching format

These shortcuts are used for text formatting, copying/pasting with or without formatting, and input method functions on a iPad.

• Command + ← / Command + →: Move cursor to beginning/end of line
• Command + ↑ / Command + ↓: Move cursor to beginning/end of document
• Shift + ← / Shift + →: Select one character forward/backward
• Shift + ↑ / Shift + ↓: Select one line of characters upward/downward
• Option + ← / Option + →: Move cursor forward/backward one word
• Shift + Command + ← / Shift + Command + →: Select all characters of the current line forward/backward
• Shift + Command + ↑ / Shift + Command + ↓:Select all characters before/after the cursor
• Option + Shift + ← / Option + Shift + →: Select one word forward/backward

These shortcuts allow precise cursor movement and text selection by character, word, line, or document on a iPad.

For iPad users aiming to boost efficiency and save time, mastering keyboard shortcuts is a game-changer. Here's where an iPad paired with a keyboard, like the CHESONA keyboard case, shines. Most iPad shortcuts work seamlessly on iPadOS, delivering the same productivity boost in a lighter, more portable package. Don't miss out on combining efficiency with convenience!

So, we've gone over a bunch of ways to make using your iPad faster with a keyboard. It might seem like a lot at first, but just picking a few to start with can really make a difference. Think about what you do most on your iPad – maybe it's writing papers or browsing the web – and focus on those shortcuts. Keep practicing, and soon enough, they’ll become second nature. It’s a pretty neat way to get more done without all the tapping.

Yes, you can! Many apps on your iPad have a special menu that shows all the keyboard shortcuts they support. Just hold down the Command key while using an app, and a small menu will pop up showing you the available shortcuts for that app.

Absolutely! You can create your own shortcuts for phrases or text you use a lot. Go to Settings, then General, then Keyboard, and tap on 'Text Replacement.' You can add your custom shortcuts there.

The Command key is super important for most shortcuts. Think of it as your main helper key. When you see 'Command + [letter],' you press and hold the Command key and then press the other letter key.