Use shortcuts on an Apple external keyboard with iPad

You can use the Shortcuts bar (at the bottom of the screen) and combination keystrokes known as keyboard shortcuts to quickly perform many common actions.

Use the Shortcuts bar to accept suggested words and spellings

While typing, you can do the following:

Accept a suggested word by tapping it in the Shortcuts bar.
Accept a suggestion highlighted in the Shortcuts bar by entering a space or punctuation. (If you enter a comma, period, or other punctuation after entering a space to accept a suggestion, the space is deleted.)
Reject the suggestions by tapping your original word (shown with quotation marks in the Shortcuts bar).

To turn off the suggestions, go to Settings > General > Keyboard, then turn off Predictive Text.

Use the Shortcuts bar to switch between language, emoji, and onscreen keyboards

You can use the Shortcuts bar to switch between the language keyboard for your region, an emoji keyboard, other language keyboards that you add, and the onscreen keyboard.

Do one of the following:
- Tap in the Shortcuts bar.
- If you installed additional language keyboards, tap the language button next to the predictive text suggestions (opposite of the Dictation button in the Shortcuts bar).
Choose an option.

Use the Shortcuts bar for other shortcuts

Use app-specific shortcuts: Buttons on the outer edges of the Shortcuts bar vary depending on the app you’re using or the task you’re doing. Each app is different—try out the Shortcuts bar to see what you can do.
Change keyboard settings: Tap (or the language button that replaced it), then tap Keyboard Settings.
Minimize the Shortcuts bar: Tap (or the language button that replaced it), then tap Minimize. To see the full Shortcuts bar, tap the minimized version.
Dictate text: Tap the Dictation button , then speak. When you’re finished, tap at the bottom of the screen.

Use keyboard shortcuts

You can use keyboard shortcuts on an Apple external keyboard to perform the following actions on iPad:

Quickly switch between apps: Press and hold the Command key, then press Tab until you reach the app you want to open.
Open Search: Press Command-Space.
Navigate between lists, text fields, and more: Press Tab to navigate between areas of an app. For example, in Notes, with the Folders list showing, press Tab to switch between the Folders list, the Notes list, and the search field.
View multitasking and other systemwide shortcuts: (Magic Keyboard for iPad and Smart Keyboard) Press and hold , then tap categories below the list.
View shortcuts for the app you’re using: Press and hold the Command key, then tap categories below the list.

You can change the actions that are performed by the Command key (and other modifier keys like Caps Lock). Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Hardware Keyboard, tap Modifier Keys, tap a key, then choose the action you want it to perform.

To use additional keyboard shortcuts, go to Settings > Accessibility > Keyboards > Full Keyboard Access, then turn on Full Keyboard Access. See Control iPad with an external keyboard.

Note: You can also set up text replacements that enter words or phrases after you type just a few characters. For example, type “omw” to enter “On my way!” See Save keystrokes with text replacements on iPad.

You can also accept suggested words before you finish typing them. See Use predictive text on iPad.

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iPad User Guide

Use shortcuts on an Apple external keyboard with iPad

Use the Shortcuts bar to accept suggested words and spellings

Use the Shortcuts bar to switch between language, emoji, and onscreen keyboards

Use the Shortcuts bar for other shortcuts

Use keyboard shortcuts