Computer Awareness is an integral section for various government competitive exams like IBPS PO, IBPS Clerical, IBPS RRB, SBI PO, SBI Clerical, SBI Specialist Officer and many more. This section covers all the basics of computers and information technology. If prepared well, you can easily score well in the exams. In this we bring to you the basics of Microsoft Office that you should know and all the General Commands that are very essential from the exam point of view.
Developed by Microsoft, Microsoft Office is an office suite of applications, services and servers. Among the various desktop applications, the commonly used are: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Power Point, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook, and Microsoft Access.
Word Processing Software
Word Processing Software is used to create documents, drafts, letters, reports, essays, write-ups, etc. that can be created using word processing software. Most commonly used word processing package in the world is Microsoft Word. Word Processing Software has the following functions:
- To create and edit tables
- To format the text, such as bold, underline, italicize and font type
- To create, edit, save and print the documents
- To correct grammar and spelling of the text
- To insert elements from other software, such as illustrations or photographs
- To copy, paste, move and delete text within a document
Spreadsheets/ Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel/ Spreadsheets simulate a paper worksheet and display multiple cells that together make up a grid consisting of rows and columns. Each cell contains either alphanumeric text or numeric values. It is used for financial information as well.
MS- Excel 2007 Format
| Extension |
Format |
Description |
| .xlsx |
Excel Workbook |
It functions as the primary replacement for the former binary .xls format, although it does not support Excel macros for security reasons. |
| .xlsm |
Excel Macro-enabled Workbook |
As Excel Workbook, but with macro support. |
| .xlsb |
Excel Binary Workbook |
It stores information in binary form rather than XML documents to open and save documents more quickly and efficiently. It is intended especially for very large documents with thousands of rows, and/or hundreds of columns. |
| .xltm |
Excel Macro-enabled Template |
A template document that forms a basis for actual workbooks, with macro support. It replaces the old .xlt format. |
| .xlam |
Excel Add-in |
Excel Add-in adds extra functionality and tools. There is inherent macro support because of the file purpose. |
Power Point Presentation
Coined by Microsoft, the Power Point Presentations are widely used by business people, educators, students and trainers. It is probably the most commonly used software program to deliver the presentations. However, it is estimated that more than 30 million PowerPoint Presentations are given on the daily basis across the globe.
Graphic Programs
Graphic Program is used for representation and manipulation of pictorial data by a computer. It is user-friendly and easier to understand and interpret many types of data. A good example of graphic program is CorelDraw. It digitally synthesizes and manipulates the visual content.
Shortcut keys
- CTRL+C- Copy the text
- CTRL+X - Cut the text
- CTRL+V - Paste the text
- CTRL+Z - Undo the text
- DELETE - Delete the text
- SHIFT+DELETE - Delete the selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin
- CTRL while dragging an item - Copy the selected item
- CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item - Create a shortcut to the selected item
- F2 key- Rename the selected item
- CTRL+RIGHT ARROW- Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word
- CTRL+LEFT ARROW -Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word
- CTRL+DOWN ARROW -Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph
- CTRL+UP ARROW -Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph
- CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys -Highlight a block of text
- SHIFT with any of the arrow keys -Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop or select text in a document
- CTRL+A - Select all
- F3 key -Search for a file or a folder
- ALT+ENTER - View the properties for the selected item
- ALT+F4 - Close the active item, or quit the active program
- ALT+ENTER - Display the properties of the selected object
- ALT+SPACEBAR - Open the shortcut menu for the active window
- CTRL+F4 - Close the active document in programs that enable you to have multiple documents open simultaneously
- ALT+TAB -Switch between the open items
- ALT+ESC - Cycle through items in the order that they had been opened
- F6 key - Cycle through the screen elements in a window or on the desktop
- F4 key - Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer
- SHIFT+F10 - Display the shortcut menu for the selected item
- ALT+SPACEBAR - Display the System menu for the active window
- CTRL+ESC - Display the Start menu
- ALT+ Underlined letter in a menu name - Display the corresponding menu
- Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu - Perform the corresponding command
- F10 key - Activate the menu bar in the active program
- RIGHT ARROW - Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu
- LEFT ARROW - Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu
- F5 key - Update the active window
- BACKSPACE - View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer
- ESC - Cancel the current task
- SHIFT when you insert a CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive - Prevent the CD-ROM from automatically playing
Dialog Box Keyboard Shortcuts:
- CTRL+TAB - Move forward through the tabs
- CTRL+SHIFT+TAB - Move backward through the tabs
- TAB - Move forward through the options
- SHIFT+TAB - Move backward through the options
- ALT+ Underlined letter - Perform the corresponding command or select the corresponding option
- ENTER - Perform the command for the active option or button
- SPACEBAR - Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box
- Arrow keys - Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons
- F1 key - Display Help
- F4 key - Display the items in the active list
- BACKSPACE - Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box
Microsoft Natural Keyboard Shortcuts:
- Windows Logo -Display or hide the Start menu
- Windows Logo+ BREAK - Display the System Properties dialog box
- Windows Logo+ D - Display the desktop
- Windows Logo+ M - Minimize all of the windows
- Windows Logo+ SHIFT+M - Restore the minimized windows
- Windows Logo+ E - Open My Computer
- Windows Logo+ F - Search for a file or a folder
- CTRL+ Windows Logo+ F - Search for computers
- Windows Logo+F1 - Display Windows Help
- Windows Logo+ L - Lock the keyboard
- Windows Logo+ R - Open the Run dialog box
- Windows Logo+ U - Open Utility Manager
Accessibility Keyboard Shortcuts:
- Right SHIFT for eight seconds - Switch Filter Keys either on or off
- Left ALT+ left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN - Switch High Contrast either on or off
- Left ALT+ left SHIFT+NUM LOCK -Switch the MouseKeys either on or off
- SHIFT five times - Switch the Sticky Keys either on or off
- NUM LOCK for five seconds - Switch the ToggleKeys either on or off
- Windows Logo +U - Open Utility Manager
Windows Explorer Keyboard Shortcuts:
- END - Display the bottom of the active window
- HOME - Display the top of the active window
- NUM LOCK+ Asterisk sign (*) - Display all of the subfolders that are under the selected folder
- NUM LOCK+ Plus sign (+) - Display the contents of the selected folder
- NUM LOCK+ Minus sign (-) - Collapse the selected folder
- LEFT ARROW - Collapse the current selection if it is expanded, or select the parent folder
- RIGHT ARROW - Display the current selection if it is collapsed, or select the first subfolder
Shortcut Keys for Character Map:
After you double-click a character on the grid of characters, you can move through the grid by using the keyboard shortcuts:
- RIGHT ARROW - Move to the right or to the beginning of the next line
- LEFT ARROW - Move to the left or to the end of the previous line
- UP ARROW - Move up one row
- DOWN ARROW - Move down one row
- PAGE UP - Move up one screen at a time
- PAGE DOWN - Move down one screen at a time
- HOME - Move to the beginning of the line
- END - Move to the end of the line
- CTRL+HOME - Move to the first character
- CTRL+END - Move to the last character
- SPACEBAR - Switch between Enlarged and Normal mode when a character is selected
Microsoft Management Console (MMC) Main Window Keyboard Shortcuts:
- CTRL+O - Open a saved console
- CTRL+N - Open a new console
- CTRL+S - Save the open console
- CTRL+M - Add or remove a console item
- CTRL+W - Open a new window
- F5 key - Update the content of all console windows
- ALT+SPACEBAR - Display the MMC window menu
- ALT+F4 - Close the console
- ALT+A - Display the Action menu
- ALT+V - Display the View menu
- ALT+F - Display the File menu
- ALT+O - Display the Favorites menu
MMC Console Window Keyboard Shortcuts:
- CTRL+P - Print the current page or active pane
- ALT+ Minus sign (-) - Display the window menu for the active console window
- SHIFT+F10 - Display the Action shortcut menu for the selected item
- F1 key - Open the Help topic, if any, for the selected item
- F5 key - Update the content of all console windows
- CTRL+F10 - Maximize the active console window
- CTRL+F5 - Restore the active console window
- ALT+ENTER - Display the Properties dialog box, if any, for the selected item
- F2 key - Rename the selected item
- CTRL+F4 - Close the active console window. When a console has only one console window, this shortcut closes the console
Remote Desktop Connection Navigation:
- CTRL+ALT+END - Open the Microsoft Windows NT Security dialog box
- ALT+PAGE UP - Switch between programs from left to right
- ALT+PAGE DOWN - Switch between programs from right to left
- ALT+INSERT - Cycle through the programs in most recently used order
- ALT+HOME - Display the Start menu
- CTRL+ALT+ BREAK - Switch the client computer between a window and a full screen
- ALT+DELETE - Display the Windows menu
- CTRL+ ALT+ Minus sign (-) - Place a snapshot of the entire client window area on the Terminal server clipboard and provide the same functionality as pressing ALT+PRINT SCREEN on a local computer.
- CTRL+ALT+ Plus sign (+) - Place a snapshot of the active window in the client on the Terminal server clipboard and provide the same functionality as pressing PRINT SCREEN on a local computer.
Microsoft Internet Explorer Navigation:
- CTRL+B - Open the Organize Favorites dialog box
- CTRL+E - Open the Search bar
- CTRL+F - Start the Find utility
- CTRL+H - Open the History bar
- CTRL+I - Open the Favorites bar
- CTRL+L - Open the Open dialog box
- CTRL+N - Start another instance of the browser with the same Web address
- CTRL+O - Open the Open dialog box, the same as CTRL+L
- CTRL+P - Open the Print dialog box
- CTRL+R - Update the current Web page
- CTRL+W - Close the current window
MS Office: Frequently asked terms/topics
- MS Word: Screen layout, Menus, Ribbon, Quick Access Toolbar, Working with Documents, Home, Insert, Page Layout, References, Mailings, Review, View;
- MS Power Point: Home, Insert, Design, Animations, Slide Show, Review, View;
- MS Excel: Home, Insert, Page Layout, Formulas, Data, Review, View, Add-Ins, Acrobat
