What are some keyboard shortcuts for the Rich-Text Editor?

You can operate the Rich-Text Editor using a computer keyboard with the shortcuts and hotkeys below.  For a full list of keyboard commands in the Rich-Text Editor, you may also refer to the CKEditor list of shortcut keys.

Keyboard navigation to the editing area

From your course/project site, tab or arrow down into the editor's text box to place focus in the text box and edit content. When you are done, you can tab or arrow down out of the editor.

Accessibility Help for the Rich-Text Editor

Alt + 0 opens the Accessibility Instructions dialog for the Rich-Text Editor.

Hotkeys inside the editing text box

Formatting shortcut keys

When focus is in the editor, you can use formatting shortcut keys similar to those used in most word processors, such as Microsoft Word.  Some examples include:

  • Bold - Ctrl + B (in Windows) or Command + B (on a Mac)
  • Italics - Ctrl + I (in Windows) or Command + I (on a Mac)
  • Underline - Ctrl + U (in Windows) or Command + U (on a Mac)

In the example pictured above, bold text was added.

Navigate away from the editing text box to the list of formatting elements

Type Alt + F11 to navigate to the list of formatting elements and styles that have been used in the text where your cursor was positioned.

Navigate away from the editing text box to the Editor toolbar

Type Alt + F10 to select the first button in the editor toolbar (i.e. Source) and begin using the toolbar.

When focus is in the Editor toolbar, you can navigate it as follows:

  • Tab and Shift + Tab – move focus forward and backward among the toolbar button groups.
  • Left Arrow and Right Arrow – move focus forward and backward among the toolbar buttons within a group, respectively.
  • Enter and Space – activates a selected toolbar feature.
  • Escape – puts the focus back to the editing area without executing any commands.