Open File Shortcut (Ctrl+O / ⌘O)
Open a file with ⌘O on Mac and Ctrl+O on Windows. Here it is with open-recent and open-location.
| Action | Mac | Windows | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open file | ⌘O | Ctrl+O | |
| Open recent | ⌘⇧O | Ctrl+Shift+O (varies) | |
| Open location / URL | ⌘L | Ctrl+L | |
| New document | ⌘N | Ctrl+N | |
| Save | ⌘S | Ctrl+S |
Open a file without the mouse
⌘O (Mac) or Ctrl+O (Windows) pops the Open dialog in almost every desktop app — editors, browsers, Office, design tools. Type the first letters of a filename to jump to it.
Open recent and open location
Many apps add ⌘⇧O / Ctrl+Shift+O for a recent-files list, while ⌘L / Ctrl+L focuses the address or location bar in browsers and file managers.
Work with the file itself
Found the file? You can copy its full path, duplicate it, open Get Info / Properties, or reveal hidden files when the one you need is not showing.
FAQ
What does Ctrl+O do?
Ctrl+O (⌘O on the Mac) opens the Open-file dialog so you can pick a document to load in the current app.
How do I open a recently used file?
Most apps offer File › Open Recent; many also bind Ctrl+Shift+O (⌘⇧O on Mac), though this varies by program.
Does Ctrl+O work in browsers?
Yes — in Chrome, Edge and Firefox Ctrl+O (⌘O) opens a local file in a new tab.