Alternatively written as Control+B, ^b, and C-b, Ctrl+B is a keyboard shortcut often used to toggle bold text on and off.

How to use the Ctrl+B keyboard shortcut

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

On Apple computers, the keyboard shortcut for bold is Command+B or Command+Shift+B.

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

In many programs, this keyboard shortcut has two purposes: to change highlighted text to bold or unbold (depending on its current state), or start typing bold text at the cursor’s location.

  • How to highlight or select text.

Ctrl+B in an Internet browser

The Ctrl+B keyboard shortcut can serve different purposes depending on the Internet browser. In Firefox and Netscape, Ctrl+B displays the bookmarks. In Internet Explorer, Ctrl+B displays the favorites folder.

  • Firefox shortcuts
  • Internet Explorer shortcuts

Ctrl+B in Excel and other spreadsheet programs

In Microsoft Excel and all other spreadsheet programs, pressing Ctrl+B when a cell(s) is selected will bold or unbold it. If you’re editing the contents of a cell with no selected text, Ctrl+B toggles bold on and off.

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

Ctrl+B in Microsoft PowerPoint

Pressing Ctrl+B in Microsoft PowerPoint bolds the highlighted text.

  • Full list of PowerPoint shortcuts.

Ctrl+B in Word and other word processors

In Microsoft Word and other word processors, highlighting text and pressing Ctrl+B makes the text bold. If the text is already bold, pressing Ctrl+B unbolds the text. Pressing Ctrl+B without anything highlighted starts typing bold text at the cursor’s location.

  • Full list of Microsoft Word shortcuts.

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

  • Alt+B
  • Ctrl+2
  • Ctrl

B, Bold, Ctrl, Keyboard shortcut, Keyboard terms

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