Carry out commands by using key combinations

CTRL+I changes the font style to italic. This shortcut works in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
A key combination shortcut is a set of keystrokes that, when pressed together, initiate an action. This is the quickest way to use the keyboard. It's slightly faster than Key Tips, but you do have to memorize the keys.

A major advantage of key combination shortcuts is that most of the common ones are the same across the Office programs, whether they have the Ribbon or not, and they're the same as in previous versions of Office.