Alternatively called Control+X and C-x, ^x, Ctrl+X is a keyboard shortcut often used to cut a selected section of text, image, or other object.

How to use the Ctrl+X keyboard shortcut

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

If you mistakenly cut something, you can press Ctrl+Z to undo your last action and restore the object.

On Apple computers, the keyboard shortcut to cut is Command+X.

  • How to use the Ctrl+X keyboard shortcut.
  • Ctrl+X in an Internet browser.
  • Ctrl+X in Excel and other spreadsheet programs.
  • Ctrl+X in Microsoft PowerPoint.
  • Ctrl+X in the command line.
  • Ctrl+X in Word and other word processors.
  • Related keyboard shortcuts and keys.
  • Related information.
  • Computer keyboard shortcuts.

Ctrl+X in an Internet browser

In all major Internet browsers (e.g., Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera), pressing Ctrl+X cuts editable text. For example, while in a text box, you could cut text and move it to another field using the paste function.

  • Firefox shortcuts
  • Google Chrome shortcuts
  • Internet Explorer shortcuts

Ctrl+X in Excel and other spreadsheet programs

In Microsoft Excel and other spreadsheet programs, pressing Ctrl+X cuts any cell, text, or other object that is selected in the spreadsheet.

Ctrl+X only works if the text is editable. If you tried to cut any of the text on this page (that is not editable), the keyboard shortcut does not work. However, you can copy text from a web page using the Ctrl+C shortcut.

  • Full list of Excel shortcuts.
  • Google Sheets shortcuts.

Ctrl+X in Microsoft PowerPoint

In Microsoft PowerPoint, Ctrl+X cuts any text, picture, or other object that is selected.

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

  • Full list of PowerPoint shortcuts.

Ctrl+X in the command line

In many command line commands, such as edit, elm, and pico, Ctrl+X is used to exit the program or file.

Ctrl+X in Word and other word processors

In Microsoft Word and other word processors, pressing Ctrl+X cuts any text, picture, or other object that is selected.

  • Full list of Microsoft Word shortcuts.

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

  • Alt+X
  • Ctrl

Ctrl, Cut, Keyboard shortcut, Keyboard terms, X

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