iPad Tip: Adding An External Keyboard Gives You More Typing & Editing Options


Here’s another quick tip from my eBook iPad Academy: Tips, Tricks & Clever Techniques. I uploaded new versions of the book today in PDF and ePub format.

Taking Command

Adding an external Bluetooth keyboard (General > Bluetooth) or USB keyboard (may work with the Camera Connection Kit) gives you access to common keyboard commands such as Copy (Command-C) and Paste (Command-V). You also have additional options for selecting text, using the arrow keys for navigation, and deleting words (Option-Delete) or entire lines (Command-Delete). Press Command-Up arrow to jump to the top of a document (like a Home key), or Command-Down arrow to jump to the end (like an End key).


About Andy Brovey

Dr. Andy Brovey, The Portable Prof, teaches about digital tools through his work, websites and social media. In 2007, Apple Inc. recognized his work and named him an Apple Distinguished Educator. He started this iPad Academy website shortly after the first iPad went on sale. On his Freelance Teaching site you'll find the resources you need to teach like a smart entrepreneur.

2 thoughts on “iPad Tip: Adding An External Keyboard Gives You More Typing & Editing Options

  • Andy Brovey Post author

    Kathleen,

    Thanks for taking the time to write! Given your experience with computers, a keyboard will certainly add to your enjoyment of the iPad.

  • kathleen delaney

    Thank you so much. I am an educated person (M.S. in statistics) who has learned and used new computer languages, applications and technologies for more than 30 years. I have had this iPad for a couple weeks and was flummoxed every time I tried to do anything with it. The first tip I read on your site was like a giant forehead-slap-duh! I was frustrated at every turn because I have used SO many systems over the years that I cameto really extensively on the vaat knowledge my HANDS have of the common keyboard commands that function across all systems. Apple’s physically beautiful on-screen keyboard made it impossible to cut-and-paste an address or do what I now realize are dozens, maybe hundreds of things without going through elaborate counter-productive machinations. I find pressing an extra key to get to the numbers quite tedious. Your suggestion to use an external keyboard finally made me realize why I was having so much trouble and has changed my relationship to the device. It seems SO obvious now, but I couldn’t name my frustration until I read that article! thanksfor the help! Kathleen Delaney

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