Nano text editor is the advanced version of the Pico editor for Linux and UNIX like systems. Let us see the keyboard commands for the Nano editor in details.
NOTE: Any command prefixed with a caret symbol (^) means to use the Ctrl key (e.g., ^G means to press the Ctrl+G keys at the same time). Any command prefixed with the letter M means to press the Alt key (e.g., M-R means to press the Alt+R keys together).
| Most Helpful! | Ctrl Key Combination | Function Key | Alt Key Combination | Description |
| *** | ^G | F1 | Display the help text | |
| *** | ^X | F2 | Close the current file buffer / Exit from nano | |
| *** | ^O | F3 | Write the current file to disk | |
| ^J | F4 | Justify the current paragraph | ||
| ^R | F5 | Insert another file into the current one | ||
| *** | ^W | F6 | Search for a string or a regular expression | |
| *** | ^Y | F7 | Move to the previous screen | |
| *** | ^V | F8 | Move to the next screen | |
| *** | ^K | F9 | Cut the current line and store it in the cutbuffer | |
| *** | ^U | F10 | Uncut from the cutbuffer into the current line | |
| *** | ^C | F11 | Display the position of the cursor | |
| ^T | F12 | Invoke the spell checker, if available | ||
| *** | ^_ | F13 | M-G | Go to line and column number |
| *** | ^\ | F14 | M-R | Replace a string or a regular expression |
| ^^ | F15 | M-A | Mark text at the cursor position | |
| *** | F16 | M-W | Repeat last search | |
| *** | M-^ or M-6 | Copy the current line and store it in the cutbuffer | ||
| M-} | Indent the current line | |||
| M-{ | Unindent the current line | |||
| ^F | Move forward one character | |||
| ^B | Move back one character | |||
| ^Space | Move forward one word | |||
| M-Space | Move back one word | |||
| *** | ^P | Move to the previous line | ||
| *** | ^N | Move to the next line | ||
| *** | ^A | Move to the beginning of the current line | ||
| *** | ^E | Move to the end of the current line | ||
| M-( or M-9 | Move to the beginning of the current paragraph | |||
| M-) or M-0 | Move to the end of the current paragraph | |||
| M-\ or M-| | Move to the first line of the file | |||
| M-/ or M-? | Move to the last line of the file | |||
| *** | M-] | Move to the matching bracket | ||
| M-- or M-_ | Scroll up one line without scrolling the cursor | |||
| M-+ or M-= | Scroll down one line without scrolling the cursor | |||
| *** | M-< or M-, | Switch to the previous file buffer | ||
| *** | M-> or M-. | Switch to the next file buffer | ||
| M-V | Insert the next keystroke verbatim | |||
| ^I | Insert a tab at the cursor position | |||
| ^M | Insert a newline at the cursor position | |||
| ^D | Delete the character under the cursor | |||
| ^H | Delete the character to the left of the cursor | |||
| M-T | Cut from the cursor position to the end of the file | |||
| M-J | Justify the entire file | |||
| M-D | Count the number of words, lines, and characters | |||
| *** | ^L | Refresh (redraw) the current screen | ||
| M-X | Help mode enable/disable | |||
| *** | M-C | Constant cursor position display enable/disable | ||
| M-O | Use of one more line for editing enable/disable | |||
| M-S | Smooth scrolling enable/disable | |||
| M-P | Whitespace display enable/disable | |||
| M-Y | Color syntax highlighting enable/disable | |||
| M-H | Smart home key enable/disable | |||
| *** | M-I | Auto indent enable/disable | ||
| M-K | Cut to end enable/disable | |||
| M-L | Long line wrapping enable/disable | |||
| M-Q | Conversion of typed tabs to spaces enable/disable | |||
| M-B | Backup files enable/disable | |||
| M-F | Multiple file buffers enable/disable | |||
| M-M | Mouse support enable/disable | |||
| M-N | No conversion from DOS/Mac format enable/disable | |||
| M-Z | Suspension enable/disable |
If any feedback, queries are always welcome!
