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“`html Common Commands – Computer Lab Notes

Common Computer Commands

Computer applications provide several commands that help users create, edit, save, print, and manage documents efficiently. Many commands can also be performed quickly using keyboard shortcuts.

1. File Commands

Command Shortcut Purpose
New Ctrl + N Creates a new file or document supported by the application.
Open Ctrl + O Opens an existing file.
Page Setup — Specifies page dimensions and other page settings before printing.
Print Preview Ctrl + F2 Shows how the document will look when printed.
Print Ctrl + P Starts the printing process.
Save Ctrl + S Saves a new file or saves modifications made to an existing file.
Save As Ctrl + Shift + S Saves an existing file with a different name, location, or format.
Example: If you are working on a document named ComputerNotes.docx and want to create another copy named ComputerNotes_Final.docx, use Ctrl + Shift + S and choose a new filename.

2. Selection and Editing Commands

Command Shortcut Purpose
Select All Ctrl + A Selects all the content in the current file or document.
Cut Ctrl + X Removes selected content and places it on the clipboard so it can be moved elsewhere.
Copy Ctrl + C Copies selected content to the clipboard without removing the original.
Paste Ctrl + V Inserts content from the clipboard at the selected location.
Delete Delete Removes the character or selected content to the right of the cursor.
Backspace Backspace Removes the character or selected content to the left of the cursor.
Important: Cut is generally used when you want to move content, while Copy is used when you want to duplicate content.
Example: Suppose a paragraph is written under the heading “Introduction”, but you want to move it under “Chapter 1”.

1. Select the paragraph.
2. Press Ctrl + X.
3. Place the cursor under “Chapter 1”.
4. Press Ctrl + V.

3. Find, Replace, Undo and Redo

Command Shortcut Purpose
Find Ctrl + F Searches for a specified word or phrase in the document.
Replace Ctrl + H Finds specific text and replaces it with other text.
Undo Ctrl + Z Cancels or reverses the last action.
Redo Ctrl + Y Repeats a previously undone action.
Example – Find: If a document contains 20 pages and you want to find the word computer, press Ctrl + F and enter the word in the search box.

Example – Replace: If you have typed “colour” many times and want to change it to “color”, press Ctrl + H. Enter colour in the Find field and color in the Replace field.

4. Saving a File

When a file is saved for the first time, three important things generally need to be specified:

  1. Location – Where the file should be stored.
  2. Filename – The name given to the file.
  3. Format – The file type or extension used to save the file.
Example: Suppose you are saving a school assignment.

Location: Documents → School Work
Filename: Computer_Assignment
Format: .docx

5. Important File Formats

Application File Format / Extension
Notepad .txt
WordPad .rtf
MS Word .docx (Version 2007 or later)
.doc (up to version 2003)
MS Excel .xlsx
.xls
PowerPoint .pptx
.ppt
Paint .bmp
Photoshop .psd

6. Save vs. Save As

Save Save As
Shortcut: Ctrl + S Shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + S
Saves changes to the current file. Creates a copy with a different name, location, or format.
Useful for regularly saving changes. Useful when you want to create another version of a file.
Remember: Use Ctrl + S frequently while working to avoid losing your latest changes.

7. Lab Activity

Activity 1 – Create, Save and Re-open Files

  1. Open different applications such as Notepad, WordPad, MS Word, Excel, or Paint.
  2. Create a small file in each application.
  3. Save each file using an appropriate filename and format.
  4. Close the applications.
  5. Re-open the saved files and verify their contents.

Activity 2 – Check File Properties

  1. Locate one of your saved files.
  2. Right-click the file.
  3. Select Properties.
  4. Observe details such as file type, size, location, and date modified.

Activity 3 – Search for a Saved File

  1. Save a file with a unique filename.
  2. Close the application.
  3. Use the computer’s search bar or File Explorer search.
  4. Type the filename.
  5. Locate and open the saved file.

8. Practice Questions

A. Fill in the Blanks

  1. The shortcut key for creating a new file is __________.
  2. The shortcut key for opening an existing file is __________.
  3. The shortcut key for saving a file is __________.
  4. The shortcut key for Save As is __________.
  5. The shortcut key for finding text is __________.
  6. The shortcut key for replacing text is __________.
  7. The shortcut key for undoing an action is __________.
  8. The file extension used by modern MS Word documents is __________.
  9. The file extension commonly associated with Photoshop documents is __________.
  10. Three things specified when saving a file are location, filename and __________.

B. Multiple Choice Questions

  1. Which shortcut is used to copy selected content?
    a) Ctrl + X    b) Ctrl + C    c) Ctrl + V    d) Ctrl + Z
  2. Which command is used to insert copied content?
    a) Cut    b) Find    c) Paste    d) Replace
  3. Which shortcut is commonly used to print a document?
    a) Ctrl + P    b) Ctrl + O    c) Ctrl + S    d) Ctrl + H
  4. Which command is used to reverse the last action?
    a) Redo    b) Undo    c) Replace    d) Select All
  5. Which file extension is associated with PowerPoint presentations?
    a) .xlsx    b) .psd    c) .pptx    d) .txt

C. Short Answer Questions

  1. What is the purpose of the New command?
  2. What is the difference between Cut and Copy?
  3. What is the difference between Delete and Backspace?
  4. What is the purpose of Find and Replace?
  5. Why is Print Preview useful?
  6. What are the three things that should be specified when saving a file?
  7. What is the difference between Save and Save As?
  8. What is a file extension? Give two examples.

D. Practical Questions

  1. Create a text file in Notepad and save it as MyNotes.txt.
  2. Open the saved file and add two more sentences.
  3. Use Ctrl + F to find a particular word.
  4. Copy a sentence and paste it at another location.
  5. Cut a paragraph and move it to another location.
  6. Use Save As to create a second copy with a different filename.
  7. Check the properties of the saved file.
  8. Close the application and use the search bar to locate the file.

9. Quick Revision

Shortcut Command
Ctrl + NNew
Ctrl + OOpen
Ctrl + SSave
Ctrl + Shift + SSave As
Ctrl + PPrint
Ctrl + ASelect All
Ctrl + XCut
Ctrl + CCopy
Ctrl + VPaste
Ctrl + FFind
Ctrl + HReplace
Ctrl + ZUndo
Ctrl + YRedo

Tip: Learning keyboard shortcuts can make computer work faster and more efficient.

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