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What is the recommended method/syntax for denoting keyboard shortcuts in Stack Exchange questions and answers?

For example, how would you write the following in a less verbose manner?

  • Press ctrl, and press either the minus key or the equals key
  • Ctrl or cmd, and lowercase c
  • Ctrl, alt and a, then ctrl and uppercase l
  • Hold ctrl or cmd while scrolling with the mouse wheel

(Well, the last one isn't strictly a keyboard shortcut)

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63

Note that you can now do this using the <kbd> tag.

  • Ctrl + - or Ctrl + =

  • Ctrl + C

  • Ctrl + A

  • Ctrl + Shift + L

Obviously you have to watch your line spacing due to the additional height of the line.

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    It almost seems unfair that you get to implement a feature in order to provide the best answer to certain questions. :) – Bill the Lizard Aug 31 '09 at 19:44
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    Why isn't this answer marked as correct? – Daniel Springer Nov 15 '15 at 21:01
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    These don't work in comments unfortunately – deed02392 Jan 13 '20 at 12:07
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I'd say we do it just like it is done all over the world since the beginning of time:

  • C-- or C-=
  • C-c
  • C-a C-L
  • C-x M-c M-butterfly
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    Ah, good old xkcd :-D – Bahbar Nov 6 '09 at 8:51
  • This one I did not get..;( – Daniel Springer Nov 15 '15 at 21:00
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I’d say we do it just like it’s done all over the world since the beginning of time.

  • Ctrl-Minus/=
  • Ctrl-c
  • Ctrl-a Ctrl-L
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    "we do it just like it’s done all over the world since the beginning of time"? With sticks and mud? – The Tin Man Oct 20 '12 at 17:13
  • Ancient writing techniques included the wedge, the reed stylus, and bone/metal styli: cdli.ox.ac.uk/wiki/doku.php?id=cuneiform_writing_techniques . For those of us in modern times, we can search the internet for keyboards with cuneiform keycaps or use Unicode renderings. – David J. Dec 26 '20 at 19:54

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