As a seasoned WordPress user, you likely expect the universal Ctrl + S keyboard shortcut to save your work in any application. However, this isn‘t enabled by default when editing posts and pages.
Without quick saving functionality, writing in WordPress can feel disconnected from years of mental muscle memory. Thankfully, it‘s possible to gain back this major timesaver.
In this in-depth guide, we’ll show you how to enable Ctrl + S saving and instant previewing in WordPress through a handy plugin called Quick Preview.
The Efficiency Advantages of Keyboard Shortcuts
First, let’s discuss why keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl + S are so popular and effective:
- Speed: Keys are faster than mouse movements or touching UI buttons. Shortcuts save seconds that add up.
- Convenience: Keys can be pressed from anywhere without precision pointing.
- Consistency: Once shortcuts are memorized, you don’t need to relearn save methods across apps.
- Accessibility: Those with motor impairments find shortcuts easier than using a mouse.
According to surveys by WPMU DEV, over 58% of WordPress users employ shortcuts daily. The top ones used help save time:
- Ctrl + S (if available)
- Ctrl + C/V for copying and pasting
- Ctrl + Z for undoing mistakes
- Alt + F4 for quick access to page close
Clearly shortcuts are immensely popular with WordPress devs. Let’s make Ctrl + S saving possible too.
How Quick Preview Enables Ctrl + S Saving
The free Quick Preview plugin for WordPress allows you to save posts with Ctrl/Cmd + S.
Quick Preview does this by:
- Overriding the default WordPress post saving function
- Binding save commands to Ctrl + S based on your OS
- Opening a new preview tab instantly after saving
Behind the scenes, this works because WordPress has built-in functions for binding JavaScript events to shortcut keys.
The Quick Preview code exploits this to call WordPress’ editor saving whenever you press Ctrl/Cmd + S. Pretty crafty!
Step-By-Step Guide: Save and Preview with Ctrl + S
Ready to unlock Ctrl + S saving for your WordPress site? Follow these steps:
1. Install and Activate Quick Preview
On your site’s wp-admin dashboard:
- Go to Plugins > Add New.
- Search for “Quick Preview”.
- Install and activate the plugin.
2. Configure the Plugin Settings
Next, configure Quick Preview’s settings:
- Click Settings > Quick Preview in the left menu.
- Check the box to enable keyboard shortcuts.
- Change the Open preview in option to New window.
3. Save and Preview Posts with Ctrl + S
You’re all set! Now editing posts:
- Create or edit a post/page.
- Type new content or make changes.
- Press Ctrl + S to instantly save your post and open a preview window.
- Keep tweaking and pressing Ctrl + S to update the preview.
Use Ctrl + S before critical edits in case things go wrong. It takes constant manual saving worries off your mind!
Troubleshooting Quick Preview
If Ctrl + S isn’t triggering saving and previewing, try these tips:
- Ensure keyboard shortcuts are enabled in the plugin settings.
- Try using Cmd + S instead if you use a Mac.
- Some themes and page builders conflict with Quick Preview. Try switching your theme or builder.
- Contact the plugin developer for additional support.
Regaining Ctrl + S saving can save you tons of time while writing WordPress content! Give Quick Preview a try.
