Ctrl+O

Updated: 12/10/2023 by Computer Hope
Ctrl+O keyboard shortcut

Alternatively called Control+O, ^o, and C-o, Ctrl+O is a keyboard shortcut most commonly used to open a URL (uniform resource locator), document, image, or other file types. Below are other programs that use this keyboard shortcut and related information.

Note

This page covers the Ctrl+O (letter 'O') shortcut and not the Ctrl+0 (zero) shortcut.

Tip

On Apple computers, the keyboard shortcut to open is Command+O.

How to use the Ctrl+O keyboard shortcut

To use this keyboard shortcut, press and hold the left or right Ctrl key, and while continuing to hold, press O.

Ctrl+O in an Internet browser

In all Internet browsers, pressing Ctrl+O brings up the Open window, which lets you open a file from your computer.

Ctrl+O in Excel and other spreadsheet programs

In Microsoft Excel and all other spreadsheet programs, pressing Ctrl+O brings up the Open window, allowing you to load an existing spreadsheet stored on your computer.

Ctrl+O in Microsoft PowerPoint

In Microsoft PowerPoint, Ctrl+O brings up the Open window, allowing you to load an existing presentation stored on your computer.

Ctrl+O in Microsoft Word

In Microsoft Word and other word processors, pressing Ctrl+O brings up the Open window, allowing you to load an existing document stored on your computer.

Ctrl+O in Google Docs

Pressing Ctrl+O in Google Docs opens a new file from the user's Google Drive.

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

Ctrl, Keyboard shortcut, Keyboard terms, O, Open, URL