When it comes to commands on Word, some prefer to hit keys on their keyboard, such as Ctrl + S to save a document. Others prefer to move the mouse pointer to an icon on their toolbar and click.

I am one of the latter, but I am becoming one of the former.

Using keyboard shortcuts undoubtedly saves time and is more efficient, and what editor does not want to be more efficient in their work? I have gotten into the habit of pressing Ctrl + S when I want to save a document and Ctrl + N when I want to start a new document, for example. Standard built-in Word commands are also incredibly helpful for placing text in bold, italic, and underline, and especially for copying (or cutting) and pasting. (I won’t bore you by listing all of keyboard shortcuts for those actions. Besides, you probably know them all.)

The habit I am trying to break involves using my mouse to navigate the pointer to the command icon and then clicking on the left button on the mouse. This is a habit worth breaking because it uses more time and is hard on the wrist. I have heard of people developing wrist pain from using a mouse over time. I am in no way saying that a mouse should never be used; it is a very necessary tool. (Unless you are using the touchpad on your laptop and if you are, I say, “Better you than me.”)

One of the many reasons why I took the EFA’s class in macros last year is so that I could learn keyboard shortcut commands for different actions in Word. These keyboard shortcuts have proven to be wonderfully useful. For example, I can change the words “two hundred” to the numeral “200” simply by placing the cursor anywhere before “two hundred” and pressing Ctrl + Alt + T. I can also place the article “the” before a word by placing the cursor in the word and pressing Ctrl + Alt + A. Can you imagine how much I would have to move the mouse around in order to perform these actions?

Are you a mouse person or a keyboard person? Why?