Google Docs borrows the Word keymap for basics and then adds its own bindings for headings, comments and the things that only make sense in a shared document. Because it runs in the browser, a few shortcuts collide with browser defaults; the notes below say which ones. On a Mac, use Cmd where the table says Ctrl, except where noted.
Basic Editing10
Text Formatting13
Headings & Styles7
Navigation & Insert7
Formatting without the toolbar
Ctrl + Alt + 1 through Ctrl + Alt + 6 apply heading levels and Ctrl + Alt + 0 returns a paragraph to normal text — the fastest way to build an outline that the document sidebar can navigate. Ctrl + Space clears character formatting from the selection, which is what you want after pasting from a web page; Ctrl + Shift + V avoids the problem by pasting as plain text in the first place. Alt + Shift + 5 is strikethrough, one of the few Docs bindings that does not use Ctrl.
Collaboration shortcuts
Ctrl + Alt + M inserts a comment anchored to the selection, and once you are in a comment thread, Enter with Ctrl posts it. Ctrl + Shift + C opens the word count with a live option that keeps it visible while you type. Ctrl + K inserts or edits a link and searches your Drive as you type, so linking to another document does not require finding its URL first. Ctrl + Shift + Y shows the dictionary definition of the selected word in the side panel.
Browser collisions
Ctrl + F opens the Docs find bar rather than the browser's once the document has focus, and Ctrl + H opens Find and Replace — in a plain browser tab it would open History. Ctrl + P prints through Docs' own dialog, which renders page breaks correctly. Ctrl + Enter inserts a page break; the same key in Google Sheets commits a formula, which trips up people moving between the two.
Frequently asked questions
How do I paste without formatting in Google Docs?
Ctrl + Shift + V pastes plain text. Ctrl + Space on a selection strips formatting after the fact.
What is the shortcut for a heading?
Ctrl + Alt + 1 to 6 for heading levels one to six, and Ctrl + Alt + 0 for normal text.
Why does Ctrl + H not open Find and Replace?
It does once the document editor has focus. If the cursor is not in the document, the browser intercepts the key and opens History.
Do these shortcuts work in Google Docs on an iPad or Android?
Only with an external keyboard, and a smaller set. The full list applies to the desktop browser version.