Loyola Support Documentation

What are some keyboard shortcuts for the Rich Text Editor?

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Some shortcuts and hotkeys on a computer keyboard can be used to operate the Rich Text Editor. For a full list of keyboard commands in the Rich Text Editor, refer to the CKEditor list of shortcut keys.

The images and shortcuts below refer to a PC keyboard. A Mac keyboard may vary in keyboard shortcuts from those referenced below.

Keyboard Navigation to the Editing Area

Cursor appears on RTE area with Tab called out on keyboard

Tab or arrow down through the browser window of your course/project site into the Rich Text Editor to place focus in the text box and edit content.

Accessibility Help for the Rich-Text Editor

(PC) Alt + 0 opens the Accessibility Instructions dialog for the Rich Text Editor.

Hotkeys Inside the Editing Text Box

Formatting Shortcut Keys

Bolded text in RTE; Ctrl and B called out on keyboard

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

  • 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.

Formatting elements highlighted in RTE; Alt + F11 called out on keyboard

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

Source highlighted on RTE toolbar with Alt + F10 called out on a keyboard

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

Rich Text Editor 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
  • Esc – puts the focus back to the editing area without executing any commands


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