# Move and select text quickly

Put focus in the Notes text before using editing shortcuts. Arrow keys in a search result list select results instead of moving a text caret.

## Move the caret

Click in the note or use your configured keyboard focus controls to reach the editor. Try Left Arrow and Right Arrow to move one character. Use Up Arrow and Down Arrow to move between visual lines.

In the native Mac text editor, Option with Left or Right moves by words, and Command with Left or Right reaches a line boundary. Test with a short sample first if your keyboard layout or remapper changes these controls.

## Select and edit

Hold Shift with a movement key to extend the selection. Command A selects the editor's text. Command C copies, Command X cuts and Command V pastes at the current selection. Check that focus is still in the note before using Command A or replacing text.

Use a harmless sentence to practise: select one word, copy it and paste at the end. If you remove the wrong text, try Command Z immediately and inspect the result before continuing.

## Preserve the document

Copy the whole draft before a large reorganisation if you need a temporary text copy. Save explicitly with Command S and reveal the file to check the result. The clipboard and Undo are useful editing tools, but neither is a lasting backup of every saved version.

See [recover from interruptions](/docs/everyday-use/recover-from-interruptions) if a save or restoration reports an error.