Ubuntu Help

This page has some help on random tasks that you may need in Ubuntu.

Nano text editor

Nano (opens new window) is a popular text editor that you run in a terminal, so it is completely operated by your keyboard. You can type and move around normally, but you need to use keyboard shortcuts (opens new window) for other tasks. The most common shortcuts are listed at the bottom of the screen.

For example you can close the editor with ^X Exit, which means: press Ctrl+X.
And you can start a selection with M-A Set Mark, which means: press Alt+A.

Common tasks:

• Select a portion of text:
  • Move to the start.
  • Press Alt+A (M-A Set Mark).
  • Move to the end.
• Cut or delete the selection: press Ctrl+K.
• Copy the selection: press Alt+6.
• Paste: press Ctrl+U.
• Save the file: press Ctrl+S.
• Close the editor: press Ctrl+X.