iPad Keyboard Tips

Whether you are using the onscreen keyboard on the iPad or an external keyboard, such as a plug-in keyboard or an integrated keyboard case like the Logitech Slim Combo, iPad keyboards have several features to increase productivity.

Onscreen Keyboard Tips for iPad

Swipe down on a key to type the small gray character above the primary black key.

Tap and hold on an onscreen keyboard key to see diacriticals (accents) and other available special characters. Slide to the pop-up character to select it.

DOUBLE-TAP THE CAPS LOCK KEY FOR ALL CAPS

To access the onscreen keyboard with an external keyboard plugged in, tap and hold the arrow in the lower-right corner.

Hide the onscreen keyboard by tapping the Hide Keyboard key.

Remember that there is no need to keep the integrated keyboard case (such as the Logitech Slim Combo we use at BHS) attached to the iPad as you type—the keyboard is connected via wireless Bluetooth. Separate the keyboard from its magnetic grip and place the iPad anywhere you find comfortable.

Photo courtesy of Logitech.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Like on the Mac, you can access keyboard shortcuts using an external iPad keyboard. Some keyboard shortcuts are the same as the Mac and others are specific to iPad.

Note: The Command key may be labeled cmd and looks like this:

Command + H
In an app—go to Home screen.

Command + Space
System-wide Spotlight search. If you search for an app, you can drag and drop the icon from within Spotlight to use Split Screen or Slide Over views. [Similar feature on the Mac.]

Command + Tab
Navigate among the last ten apps you used. [Similar feature on the Mac.]

Command + Shift + 3
Take a screenshot. [Same feature on the Mac.]

Command + Shift + 4
Take a screenshot and directly go to editing view to crop or annotate. [Similar feature on the Mac.]

Press and hold Command
Show a window with all the keyboard shortcuts in a specific app.

Command + Option + D
Show the dock. [Similar feature on the Mac.]

Text-Specific Shortcut (while typing)

Option + Shift + left/right arrow
Select the previous/next word. [Similar feature on the Mac.]

Safari-Specific Shortcuts

Control + Tab
Move to the next browser tab. [Same feature on the Mac.]

Control + Shift + Tab
Move to the previous browser tab. [Same feature on the Mac.]

Command + F
Search for a specific word on a web page. [Similar feature on the Mac.]

Command + L
Highlight the text input/URL field to type a new web address. [Same feature on the Mac.]

If you already use keyboard shortcuts on the Mac, chances are that the same or similar feature is available on iPad—just try it! Thanks to thesweetsetup.com for providing some of the source for this article.