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.
Related keyboard shortcuts and keys
Below are links to related keyboard shortcuts and individual key pages.
- Alt+X
- Ctrl
Ctrl, Cut, Keyboard shortcut, Keyboard terms, X
Related information
- Computer keyboard shortcuts.
- Top 10 keyboard shortcuts everyone should know.
- Keyboard help and support.