Move cursor one word left
To jump back one word: press Ctrl+← on Windows, or Option+← (⌥←) on Mac. Hold Shift too to select the word as you go.
| Action | Mac | Windows | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Move cursor one word left | ⌥← | Ctrl+← | |
| Select word to the left | ⌥⇧← | Ctrl+Shift+← | |
| Move to start of line | ⌘← | Home | |
| Move up one paragraph | ⌥↑ | Ctrl+↑ |
Jump back a word on Windows
Hold Ctrl and press ← to move the cursor to the start of the previous word. Each press skips one word, so it is far faster than tapping the arrow key letter by letter. Add Shift (Ctrl+Shift+←) to select word by word as you move.
Jump back a word on Mac
macOS uses Option instead of Ctrl for word movement: ⌥← moves the cursor one word to the left. ⌥⇧← selects the word. Note that ⌘← on Mac jumps to the start of the whole line, not one word — that is the common mix-up for switchers.
Why it matters
Word-by-word navigation works in almost every text field: browsers, Word, Google Docs, code editors and email. It is the fastest way to reposition the cursor without reaching for the mouse.
FAQ
How do I move the cursor one word left on Windows?
Hold Ctrl and press the Left arrow (Ctrl+←). Each press jumps to the start of the previous word.
What is the move-word-left shortcut on Mac?
Press Option+Left (⌥←). On Mac, Option handles word movement, while ⌘← jumps to the start of the line.
How do I select a word to the left?
Add Shift: Ctrl+Shift+← on Windows, or ⌥⇧← on Mac, selects text one word at a time.