Command-Line Editing Keys

Delete or Backspace

Removes characters to left of cursor

Left Arrow

Moves cursor one character to left

Right Arrow

Moves cursor one character to right

Ctrl+a

Moves cursor to beginning of command line

Ctrl+b

Moves cursor back one character

Ctrl+d

Deletes character at cursor

Ctrl+e

Moves cursor to end of command line

Ctrl+f

Moves cursor forward one character

Ctrl+h

Deletes character to left of cursor

Ctrl+k

Deletes all characters from cursor to end of command line

Ctrl+l

Redisplays system prompt and command line

Ctrl+o

Toggles overwrite/insert mode

Ctrl+t

Transposes character to left of cursor with character located at cursor

Ctrl+u

Deletes entire command line

Ctrl+v

Allows the “ ?” character to be used as a character instead of as a request for help

Ctrl+w

Deletes the previous word

Ctrl+x

In all modes, reboots the system. This feature is useful if a command is taking a prolonged time to complete and hangs the console. The command has no effect if you access the system through Telnet.

Set the boot option flag by using the service ctrl-x-reboot command from Global Configuration mode.

Ctrl+y

Recalls most recent entry from delete buffer; recalled characters overwrite or are inserted in current line depending on overwrite/insert toggle

Ctrl+z

In all modes except User Exec mode, executes any command typed immediately before the command sequence and then changes the mode to Privileged Exec mode. In User Exec mode, only executes any command typed immediately before the command sequence.

Esc+b

Moves cursor back one word

Esc+Backspace

Deletes previous word

Esc+d

Deletes current or next word