Are you drowning in digital chaos? Switching between countless tabs and windows, losing track of your important notes? You’re not alone. Most people struggle with information overload, but I’m about to share two simple keyboard shortcuts that will revolutionize your Evernote workflow.

These Evernote shortcuts have transformed how I work. If you’re not using Evernote yet, you might want to reconsider after seeing what these tools can do. If you’re already an Evernote user, these shortcuts will significantly boost your productivity.

The Game-Changing Shortcuts

Here are the two shortcuts that will change everything:

Windows Users:

• Ctrl + Alt + 1
• Ctrl + Alt + 7

Mac Users:

• Command + Option + 1
• Command + Option + 7

Let’s dive into how each one works.

The Power of Ctrl + Alt + 1 (Your Instant Reset Button)

Think about those moments when you have too many windows open. Everything feels messy, and you want to start fresh. You might close your browser and open a new one just to get back to square one.

Ctrl + Alt + 1 does exactly that for Evernote. No matter where you are in the program, this shortcut takes you straight to Evernote Home. It’s like having a reset button for your workspace.

What Makes Evernote Home So Powerful?

Your Daily Command Center: Your calendar appears at the top, showing a replica of your Google Calendar. You can link any appointment to an Evernote note. When meeting time arrives, one click brings up all your relevant notes.

Quick Access Hub: Below your calendar, you’ll see your shortcuts. Yes, these appear in the left sidebar too, but with one keyboard shortcut, you’re right there. It’s faster and more convenient.

Recently Captured Information: We often need information we’ve recently worked with. That’s why I have a widget showing my latest web clips, images, documents, and audio recordings. Everything’s just one click away.

Smart Order Tracking: Here’s a neat trick for online shopping. When I’m on a website viewing my order summary and confirmation code, I use the Evernote web clipper. Before saving, I choose my “ETR” notebook (Expect to Receive). The ETR widget displays everything I’m waiting for.

Content Management Made Simple: As a content creator, I can see my recent notes and upcoming projects at a glance. Whether I’m planning July’s digital notes theme or August’s back-to-school content, everything’s visible and accessible.

Real-World Example

Let me show you how this works in practice. I’m working at my desk and get an idea for future content. I want to capture it quickly so I don’t forget it.

I press Ctrl + Alt + H to open the Evernote Quick Note. I type my idea, click somewhere else, and the Quick Note disappears. Later, I’ll organize everything properly.

Here’s a video showing the Evernote Quick Note in action.

But here’s where the magic happens. When I want to add that idea to specific content, I hit Ctrl + Alt + 1. I’m instantly at Home, where I can see my content layout. I click the relevant note and paste my idea.

Compare that to navigating through Google Drive or OneDrive, double-clicking documents, pasting, and saving. With Evernote and this shortcut, it’s much faster.

The Power of Ctrl + Alt + 7 (Your Instant Filing System)

This shortcut opens your tags list—one of Evernote’s most underused features.

I use tags as dividers for my notebooks. Think of them as your digital filing system. Normally, you’d scroll down the left sidebar, click arrows to open tags, then hunt for the specific one you want.

Ctrl + Alt + 7 changes everything. It pops up a search window where you can type a few letters of any tag. What you’re looking for appears automatically.

This gives you the equivalent of a folder structure you’d find in Microsoft Office or Google Drive, but it’s instant and searchable.

Want to find out more about how I use tags? Check out this post.

Explore More Shortcuts

Wondering about Ctrl + Alt + 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6? They exist too! Each takes you to different areas of Evernote. Try them out, along with Ctrl + Alt + 8 and 9. You’ll discover that each shortcut has its own destination.

I haven’t found a daily need for the others, but Ctrl + Alt + 1 and Ctrl + Alt + 7 are shortcuts I use every single day.

Why Small Changes Make Big Differences

Remember this: Little things you use daily become big things. The biggest thing of all is having a note-taking system that works for you—one you use regularly and one that makes your life easier.

We live in an information age, but our information is only as good as our ability to find it when we need it. These Evernote shortcuts help you do exactly that.

Your Next Steps

Ready to transform your Evernote experience? Start with these two shortcuts today:

1. Try Ctrl + Alt + 1 to explore your Home screen
2. Use Ctrl + Alt + 7 to discover your tags system
3. Practice using both shortcuts throughout your workday

Visit FrankBuck.org to browse more productivity strategies. Check out my YouTube channel’s Evernote playlist for additional tutorials and techniques. You’ll find that playlist here.

What’s your biggest Evernote challenge? How do you currently organize your digital notes? Share your thoughts in the comments below—I’d love to help you optimize your system even further.

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