Ctrl + G is a keyboard shortcut that performs different functions depending on the application you are using. In this article, we will explore what Ctrl + G does across various programs and operating systems.
Ctrl + G in Microsoft Word
In Microsoft Word, pressing Ctrl + G opens the Find and Replace dialog box. This allows you to search for specific words or phrases in your document and replace them if needed.
The Find and Replace tool is useful for making changes to multiple instances of a word or phrase at once. For example, if you needed to change a character’s name throughout a novel or update a company name in a long report, you could use Ctrl + G to find and replace all occurrences efficiently.
Here are some of the things you can do with Find and Replace in Word:
- Search for words, phrases, or formatting
- Replace text, formatting, special characters
- Use wildcards and filters to refine searches
- Search in specific parts of a document
- Search forwards or backwards
- Match case or entire words only
The Find and Replace dialog box gives you a lot of options for powerful search and replace capabilities in Word documents.
Other Word Shortcuts with Ctrl + G
Here are some other functions you can perform with Ctrl + G in Microsoft Word:
- Go to a page – Brings up a dialog box to enter a specific page number to jump to
- Go to a section – Opens a menu to select a heading or section to navigate to
- Go to a footnote/endnote – Cycles between footnote or endnote references in the document
- Go to a comment – Moves the cursor to the next comment in the document
Ctrl + G in Google Docs
In Google Docs, Ctrl + G also opens the Find and Replace tool. This allows you to search within your Google Doc for words, phrases, or formatting and replace occurrences when needed.
Google Docs Find and Replace has similar capabilities to Word’s version, with options to:
- Search using matching parameters like case sensitivity
- Replace text, formatting, punctuation
- Find whole words only
- Use wildcards and regex
- Search forwards or backwards
- Replace all or review changes one by one
The Find and Replace tool is extremely helpful for editing long Google Docs efficiently. Other Google Docs keyboard shortcuts using Ctrl + G include:
- Select all find matches – Once you’ve performed a search, selects all matching results
- Go to header/footer – Jumps cursor between the main text and headers/footers
- Go to comment – Cycles between comments to navigate through them
Ctrl + G in Google Sheets
In Google Sheets, Ctrl + G opens the Find and Replace dialog box to search within the spreadsheet. You can use it to find:
- Cell contents – text, numbers, formulas
- Cell formatting – font, color, alignment
- Cell notes
With Find and Replace, you can update data, formatting, and notes quickly across large Google Sheets.
Other Google Sheets shortcuts with Ctrl + G include:
- Go to range – Opens a dialog box to jump to a specific cell range
- Go to note – Cycles between cell notes
Ctrl + G in Google Slides
Ctrl + G starts Find and Replace in Google Slides to search and replace:
- Text – in placeholders, headings, text boxes
- Formatting – font, size, alignment
- Placeholder types – text, images, charts
With Find and Replace, you can update presentations efficiently. Other Google Slides shortcuts with Ctrl + G include:
- Go to slide – Opens dialog box to select a specific slide number
- Group – Groups selected objects together
Ctrl + G in Gmail
In Gmail, Ctrl + G opens the Go to thread tool. This allows you to jump directly to a specific email thread by number.
This can be helpful for navigating long email chains and conversations spanning many replies. Just use Ctrl + G, enter the thread number, and you’ll go directly to that message.
Ctrl + G in Chrome and Firefox
In the Chrome and Firefox browsers, Ctrl + G opens the Find tool to search the current webpage for keywords, phrases, or text on the page.
This allows you to quickly jump to instances of a word on a long web page. It works the same as the Find function in your browser’s menu or toolbar.
Ctrl + G in Windows File Explorer
In the Windows File Explorer, Ctrl + G opens the Go To directory tool. This allows you to type in the path of a folder to quickly jump to it.
For example, you could hit Ctrl + G, then type “C:\Users\Documents” and it would navigate directly to your Documents folder. This helps bypass clicking through folders in the File Explorer.
Ctrl + G in Finder on Mac
On Mac computers, in the Finder app, Ctrl + G opens the Go to Folder tool. This works the same as the Windows version, allowing you to type in a folder path to navigate there directly.
For example, you could use Ctrl + G and enter “Applications” to jump right to your Applications folder.
Ctrl + G in Visual Studio Code
In Visual Studio Code, Ctrl + G opens the Source Control tab. This allows you to view and work with Git and source control in VS Code.
Some of the Source Control features include:
- Initialize Git repository
- View file changes
- Stage/revert changes
- Commit changes
- Push/pull changes
- Resolve merge conflicts
For developers using VS Code, Ctrl + G provides quick access to Git source control abilities.
Ctrl + G in Other Programs
Here are some other common uses for Ctrl + G across programs and operating systems:
| Program | Ctrl + G Function |
|---|---|
| Outlook | Go to folder |
| Excel | Go to cell range |
| PowerPoint | Group objects |
| Windows Explorer | Go to directory |
| Notepad++ | Find next |
| Eclipse IDE | Find next |
| Photoshop | Group layers |
| Illustrator | Group objects |
| Premiere Pro | Go to In point |
| After Effects | Go to Keyframe |
Conclusion
Ctrl + G is a handy keyboard shortcut across many applications and operating systems. Most commonly, it opens search and find tools or “go to” functions for quick navigation.
Knowing what Ctrl + G does in your most used programs can help boost your efficiency. You can instantly open find tools to search documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and more. Or quickly jump to specific sections, slides, cells, folders, and other locations.
Next time you’re working in Word, Chrome, Visual Studio Code or other applications, remember Ctrl + G for an easy way to search, find, and access exactly what you need faster.