Alternatively called Control+L, ^l, and C-l, Ctrl+L is a keyboard shortcut whose function differs depending on the program being. For example, in Microsoft Word, Ctrl+L is used to align text with the left edge of a document (margin).

How to use the Ctrl+L keyboard shortcut

To use this keyboard shortcut, press and hold either Ctrl, key and while continuing to hold, press L.

On Apple computers, the most similar keyboard shortcut is Command+L.

  • How to use the Ctrl+L keyboard shortcut.
  • Ctrl+L in an Internet browser.
  • Ctrl+L in Audacity.
  • Ctrl+L in Excel and other spreadsheet programs.
  • Ctrl+L in Microsoft PowerPoint.
  • Ctrl+L in Word and other word processors.
  • Ctrl+L in Windows calculator.
  • Ctrl+L in bash
  • Using Ctrl+L in PuTTY.
  • Related keyboard shortcuts and keys.
  • Related information.
  • Computer keyboard shortcuts.

Ctrl+L in an Internet browser

All major Internet browsers (e.g., Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera) pressing Ctrl+L brings the address bar (location bar/omnibox) into focus.

  • Firefox shortcuts
  • Google Chrome shortcuts
  • Internet Explorer shortcuts

Ctrl+L in Audacity

In Audacity, Ctrl+L silences highlighted sections of an audio track.

Ctrl+L in Excel and other spreadsheet programs

In Microsoft Excel and all other spreadsheet programs, pressing Ctrl+L opens the Create Table dialog box.

  • Full list of Excel shortcuts.

Ctrl+L in Microsoft PowerPoint

In Microsoft PowerPoint, Ctrl+L aligns an object or selected text with the left side of the slide.

If you’re editing the contents of a cell and press Ctrl+L, nothing will happen.

  • Full list of PowerPoint shortcuts.

Ctrl+L in Word and other word processors

In Microsoft Word and other word processors, pressing Ctrl+L left aligns the current paragraph.

  • Full list of Microsoft Word shortcuts.
  • How to highlight or select text.

Ctrl+L in Windows calculator

When used in the Microsoft Windows calculator, pressing Ctrl+L clears everything from the calculator memory. This keyboard shortcut is the same as pressing the MC button.

Ctrl+L in bash

When using the bash shell, you can clear the screen by pressing Ctrl+L.

Using Ctrl+L in PuTTY

With PuTTY, Ctrl+L clears the screen, similar to the clear command.

Below are links to related keyboard shortcuts and individual key pages.

  • Alt+L
  • Ctrl

Align, Ctrl, Keyboard shortcut, Keyboard terms, L

  • Computer keyboard shortcuts.
  • Top 10 keyboard shortcuts everyone should know.
  • Keyboard help and support.