Shortcuts
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- Keyboard shortcuts for Illustrator on the web (beta)
- Create and combine shapes on the web
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- Introduction to Illustrator on the iPad
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- Design a flower in 5 easy steps
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- Add text and work with type objects
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- Fonts | FAQ and troubleshooting tips
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- Import
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- Troubleshooting
Use keyboard shortcuts to become more productive while using Adobe Illustrator.
Illustrator provides many shortcuts to help you get work done faster. Many keyboard shortcuts appear when you hover over icons in the command menu.
Notes:
- The following list includes the most helpful shortcuts. You may find additional shortcuts in menu commands and tool tips.
- You can customize the keyboard shortcuts in Illustrator. See Customize keyboard shortcuts.
Keyboard shortcuts cheat sheet
Download and print a handy one page reference of some helpful keyboard shortcuts for Illustrator.
Popular shortcuts
Shortcuts |
Windows |
macOS |
---|---|---|
Undo | Ctrl + Z | Command + Z |
Redo | Shift + Ctrl + Z | Shift + Command + Z |
Cut | Ctrl + X | Command + X |
Copy | Ctrl + C | Command + C |
Paste | Ctrl + V | Command + V |
Paste in front | Ctrl + F | Command + F |
Paste at back | Ctrl + B | Command + B |
Paste in place | Shift + Ctrl + V | Shift + Command + V |
Paste on all artboards | Alt + Shift + Ctrl + V | Option + Shift + Command + V |
Check spelling | Ctrl + I | Command + I |
Open the Color Settings dialog box | Shift + Ctrl + K | Shift + Command + K |
Open the Keyboard Shortcuts dialog box | Alt + Shift + Ctrl + K | Option + Shift + Command + K |
Open the Preferences dialog box | Ctrl + K | Command + K |
Work with documents
Shortcuts |
Windows |
macOS |
---|---|---|
Create a document | Ctrl + N | Command + N |
Create a document from a template | Shift + Ctrl + N | Shift + Command + N |
Create a document without opening the New Document dialog box | Alt + Ctrl + N | Option + Command + N |
Open a document | Ctrl + O | Command + O |
Place a file in the document | Shift + Ctrl + P | Shift + Command + P |
Open the File Information dialog box | Alt + Shift + Ctrl + I | Option + Shift + Command + I |
Open the Document Setup dialog box | Alt + Ctrl + P | Option + Command + P |
Browse in Adobe Bridge | Alt + Ctrl + O | Option + Command + O |
Close the document window | Ctrl + W | Command + W |
Save changes made to the document | Ctrl + S | Command + S |
Open the Save As dialog box | Shift + Ctrl + S | Shift + Command + S |
Save a copy of the document | Alt + Ctrl + S | Option + Command + S |
Save the document as script files | Ctrl + F12 | Command + F12 |
Open the Export for screens dialog box | Alt + Ctrl + E | Option + Command + E |
Open the Save For Web dialog box | Alt + Shift + Ctrl + S | Option + Shift + Command + S |
Package the document | Alt + Shift + Ctrl + P | Option + Shift + Command + P |
Ctrl + P | Command + P | |
Exit the application | Ctrl + Q | Command + Q |
Select tools
Shortcuts |
Windows |
macOS |
---|---|---|
Artboard tool |
Shift + O |
Shift + O |
Selection tool |
V |
V |
Direct Selection tool |
A |
A |
Magic Wand tool |
Y |
Y |
Lasso tool |
Q |
Q |
Pen tool |
P |
P |
Curvature tool | Shift + ~ | Shift + ~ |
Blob Brush tool |
Shift + B |
Shift + B |
Add Anchor Point tool |
+ (plus) |
+ (plus) |
Delete Anchor Point tool |
- (minus) |
- (minus) |
Switch to Anchor Point tool |
Shift + C |
Shift + C |
Type tool |
T |
T |
Touch Type tool | Shift + T | Shift + T |
Line Segment tool |
\ (backslash) |
\ (backslash) |
Rectangle tool |
M |
M |
Ellipse tool |
L |
L |
Paintbrush tool |
B |
B |
Pencil tool |
N |
N |
Shaper tool | Shift + N | Shift + N |
Rotate tool |
R |
R |
Reflect tool |
O |
O |
Scale tool |
S |
S |
Warp tool |
Shift + R |
Shift + R |
Width Tool |
Shift+W |
Shift+W |
Free Transform tool |
E |
E |
Shape Builder Tool |
Shift+M |
Shift+M |
Perspective Grid Tool |
Shift+P |
Shift+P |
Perspective Selection Tool |
Shift+V |
Shift+V |
Symbol Sprayer tool |
Shift + S |
Shift + S |
Column Graph tool |
J |
J |
Mesh tool |
U |
U |
Gradient tool |
G |
G |
Eyedropper tool |
I |
I |
Blend tool |
W |
W |
Live Paint Bucket tool |
K |
K |
Live Paint Selection tool |
Shift + L |
Shift + L |
Slice tool |
Shift + K |
Shift + K |
Eraser tool |
Shift + E |
Shift + E |
Scissors tool |
C |
C |
Hand tool |
H |
H |
Zoom tool |
Z |
Z |
Switch to Smooth tool while using Blob Brush tool |
Press Alt |
Press Option |
View artwork
Shortcuts |
Windows |
macOS |
---|---|---|
Toggle between screen modes: Normal Screen Mode, Full Screen Mode with Menu Bar, Full Screen Mode |
F |
F |
Fit imageable area in window |
Double-click Hand tool |
Double-click Hand tool |
Magnify 100% |
Double-click Zoom tool or press Ctrl + 1 |
Double-click Zoom tool or press Command + 1 |
Switch to Hand tool (when not in text-edit mode) |
Spacebar |
Spacebar |
Switch to Zoom tool in magnify mode |
Ctrl + Spacebar |
Spacebar + Command |
Switch to Zoom tool in reduce mode |
Ctrl + Alt + Spacebar |
Spacebar + Command + Option |
Move Zoom marquee while dragging with the Zoom tool |
Spacebar |
Spacebar |
Hide bounding box | Shift + Ctrl + B | Shift + Command + B |
Hide unselected artwork |
Ctrl + Alt + Shift + 3 |
Command + Option + Shift + 3 |
Convert between horizontal and vertical guide |
Alt-drag guide |
Option-drag guide |
Release guide |
Ctrl + Shift-double-click guide |
Command + Shift-double-click guide |
Show document template | Ctrl + H | Command + H |
Show/Hide artboards |
Ctrl + Shift + H |
Command + Shift + H |
Show/Hide artboard rulers |
Ctrl + R |
Command + Option + R |
Show transparency grid | Shift + Ctrl + D | Shift + Command + D |
View all artboards in window |
Ctrl + Alt + 0 (zero) |
Command + Option + 0 (zero) |
Paste in place on the active artboard |
Ctrl + Shift+V |
Command + Shift + V |
Exit Artboard tool mode |
Esc |
Esc |
Create artboard inside another artboard |
Shift-drag |
Shift-drag |
Select multiple artboards in the Artboards panel |
Ctrl + click |
Command + click |
Navigate to next document |
Ctrl + F6 |
Command + F6 |
Navigate to previous document |
Ctrl + Shift + F6 |
Command + Shift + F6 |
Navigate to next document group |
Ctrl + Alt + F6 |
Command + Option + F6 |
Navigate to previous document group |
Ctrl + Alt + Shift + F6 |
Command + Option + Shift + F6 |
Toggle between Outline and GPU Preview of the document | Ctrl + Y | Command + Y |
Toggle between GPU and CPU Preview of the document | Ctrl + E | Command + E |
View the document in Overprint Preview mode | Alt + Shift + Ctrl + Y | Option + Shift + Command + Y |
View the document in Pixel Preview mode | Alt + Ctrl + Y | Option + Command + Y |
Exit Full Screen mode | Esc | Esc |
Zoom in | Ctrl + = | Command + = |
Zoom out | Ctrl + - | Command + - |
Hide guides | Ctrl + ; | Command + ; |
Lock guides | Alt + Ctrl + ; | Option + Command + ; |
Make guides | Ctrl + 5 | Command + 5 |
Release guides | Alt + Ctrl + 5 | Option + Ctrl + 5 |
Show/ hide smart guides | Ctrl + U | Command + U |
Show/ hide perspective grid | Ctrl + Shift + I | Command + Shift + I |
Show grid | Ctrl + ' | Command + ' |
Snap to grid | Shift + Ctrl + ' | Shift + Command + ' |
Snap to point | Alt + Ctrl + ' | Option + Command + ' |
Work with selections
Shortcuts |
Windows |
macOS |
---|---|---|
Switch to last-used selection tool (Selection tool, Direct Selection tool, or Group Selection tool) |
Ctrl + ` |
Command + ` |
Switch between Direct Selection tool and Group Selection tool |
Alt |
Option |
Add to a selection with Selection tool, Direct Selection tool, Group Selection tool, Live Paint Selection tool, or Magic Wand tool |
Shift-click |
Shift-click |
Subtract a selection with Selection tool, Direct Selection tool, Group Selection tool, or LIve Paint Selection tool |
Shift-click |
Shift-click |
Subtract from selection with Magic Wand tool |
Alt-click |
Option-click |
Add to selection with Lasso tool |
Shift-drag |
Shift-drag |
Subtract from selection with Lasso tool |
Alt-drag |
Option-drag |
Change pointer to cross hair for Lasso tool |
Caps Lock |
Caps Lock |
Select artwork in active artboard |
Ctrl + Alt + A |
Command + Option + A |
Create crop marks around selected object |
Alt + C + O |
|
Select all | Ctrl + A | Command + A |
Deselect | Shift + Ctrl + A | Shift + Command + A |
Reselect | Ctrl + 6 | Command + 6 |
Select the object above the current selection | Alt + Ctrl + ] | Option + Command + ] |
Select the object below the current selection | Alt + Ctrl + [ | Option + Command + |
Select behind an object |
Press Ctrl+click twice |
Press Command+click twice |
Select behind in isolation mode |
Ctrl+click twice |
Command+click twice |
Group the selected artwork | Ctrl + G | Command + G |
Ungroup the selected artwork | Shift + Ctrl + G | Shift + Command + G |
Lock a selection | Ctrl + 2 | Command + 2 |
Unlock a selection | Alt + Ctrl + 2 | Option + Command + 2 |
Hide a selection | Ctrl + 3 | Command + 3 |
Show all selections | Alt + Ctrl + 3 | Option + Command + 3 |
Move selection in user-defined increments | Right Arrow, Left Arrow, Up Arrow, or Down Arrow |
Right Arrow, Left Arrow, Up Arrow, or Down Arrow |
Move selection in 10x user-defined increments | Shift + Right Arrow, Left Arrow, Up Arrow, or Down Arrow | Shift + Right Arrow, Left Arrow, Up Arrow, or Down Arrow |
Lock all deselected artwork | Ctrl + Alt + Shift + 2 | Command + Option + Shift + 2 |
Constrain movement to 45° angle (except when using Reflect tool) | Hold down Shift | Hold down Shift |
Bring a selection forward | Ctrl + ] | Command + ] |
Move a selection to the front | Shift + Ctrl + ] | Shift + Command + ] |
Send a selection backward | Ctrl + [ | Command + [ |
Move a selection to the back | Shift + Ctrl + [ | Shift + Command + [ |
Select only the objects that are completely inside the marquee | Press E while dragging the marquee | Press E while dragging the marquee |
Set keyboard increments in General Preferences (Ctrl/ Cmd + K).
Draw
Shortcuts |
Windows |
macOS |
---|---|---|
Constrain a shape’s proportions or orientation to:
|
Shift-drag |
Shift-drag |
Move a shape while drawing it |
spacebar-drag |
spacebar-drag |
Draw from the center of a shape (except for polygons, stars, and flares) |
Alt-drag |
Option-drag |
Increase or decrease polygon sides, star points, arc angle, spiral winds, or flare rays |
Start dragging, then press the Up Arrow or Down Arrow |
Start dragging, then press the Up Arrow or Down Arrow |
Keep the inner radius of a star constant |
Start dragging, then hold down Ctrl |
Start dragging, then hold down Command |
Keep the sides of a star straight |
Alt-drag |
Option-drag |
Switch between an open and closed arc |
Start dragging, then hold down C |
Start dragging, then hold down C |
Flip an arc, keeping the reference point constant |
Start dragging, then hold down F |
Start dragging, then hold down SF |
Add or subtract winds from a spiral while increasing the length of the spiral |
Start dragging, then Alt-drag |
Start dragging then Option-drag |
Change the decay rate of a spiral |
Start dragging then Ctrl-drag |
Start dragging then Command-drag |
Add or remove horizontal lines from a rectangular grid or concentric lines from a polar grid |
Start dragging, then press the Up Arrow or Down Arrow |
Start dragging, then press the Up Arrow or Down Arrow |
Add or remove vertical lines from a rectangular grid or radial lines from a polar grid |
Start dragging, then press the Right Arrow or Left Arrow |
Start dragging, then press the Right Arrow or Left Arrow |
Decrease the skew value for horizontal dividers in a rectangular grid or radial dividers in a polar grid by 10% |
Start dragging, then press F |
Start dragging, then press F |
Increase the skew value for horizontal dividers in a rectangular grid or radial dividers in a polar grid by 10% |
Start dragging, then press V |
Start dragging, then press V |
Decrease the skew value for vertical dividers in a rectangular grid or concentric dividers in a polar grid by 10% |
Start dragging, then press X |
Start dragging, then press X |
Increase the skew value for vertical dividers in a rectangular grid or concentric dividers in a polar grid by 10% |
Start dragging, then press C |
Start dragging, then press C |
Increase size of Blob Brush |
] (right square bracket) |
] (right square bracket) |
Decrease size of Blob Brush |
[ (left square bracket) |
[ (left square bracket) |
Constrain Blob Brush path horizontally or vertically |
Shift |
Shift |
Switch through drawing modes |
Shift + D |
Shift + D |
Join two or more paths |
Select the paths, then press Ctrl + J |
Select the paths, then press Command + J |
Average two or more paths | Select the paths, then press Alt + Ctrl + J | Select the paths, then press Option + Command + J |
Create corner or smooth join |
Select the paths, then press Shift + Ctrl + Alt + J |
Select the anchor point, then press Shift + Command + Option + J |
Create a compound path | Ctrl + 8 | Command + 8 |
Release a compound path | Alt + Shift + Ctrl + 8 | Option + Shift + Command + 8 |
Edit a pattern | Shift + Ctrl + F8 | Shift + Command +F8 |
Perspective Grid Tool | Shift + P | Shift + P |
Perspective Selection Tool | Shift + V | Shift + V |
Perspective Grid | Ctrl + Shift + I | Command + Shift + I |
Moving objects perpendicularly | Press the number 5 key, then click and drag the object | Press the number 5 key, then click and drag the object |
Switching perspective planes | Use the Perspective Selection tool and then press 1 for left grid, 2 for horizontal grid, 3 for right grid, or 4 for no active grid | Use the Perspective Selection tool and then press 1 for left grid, 2 for horizontal grid, 3 for right grid, or 4 for no active grid |
Copying objects in perspective | Ctrl + Alt + drag | Command + Alt + drag |
Repeat transforming objects in perspective | Ctrl + D | Command + D |
Switching between drawing modes | Shift + D | Shift + D |
Edit shapes
Shortcuts |
Windows |
macOS |
---|---|---|
Switch Pen tool to Convert Anchor Point tool |
Alt |
Option |
Switch between Add Anchor Point tool and Delete Anchor Point tool |
Alt |
Option |
Switch Scissors tool to Add Anchor Point tool |
Alt |
Option |
Switch Pencil tool to Smooth tool |
Alt (Enable Alt key toggles to Smooth Tool from Pencil Tool Options) |
Option (Enable Option key toggles to Smooth Tool from Pencil Tool Options) |
Move current anchor point while drawing with Pen tool |
Spacebar-drag |
Spacebar-drag |
Cut a straight line with Knife tool |
Alt-drag |
Option-drag |
Cut at 45° or 90° with Knife tool |
Shift + Alt-drag |
Shift + Option-drag |
Use shape mode buttons in Pathfinder panel to create compound paths |
Alt + Shape mode |
Option + Shape mode |
Erase unwanted closed regions created using Shape Builder tool |
Alt + click the closed region |
Option + click the closed region |
Select the Shape Builder tool |
Shift + M |
Shift + M |
Display rectangular marquee to easily merge multiple paths (when using Shape Builder tool) |
Shift + click + drag |
Shift + click + drag |
Increase the intensity of symbols (when using Symbolism tool) | Shift + } | Shift + } |
Decrease the intensity of symbols (when using Symbolism tool) | Shift + { | Shift + { |
Blend objects | Alt + Ctrl + B | Option + Command + B |
Finish adding objects to the blend | Alt + Shift + Ctrl + B | Option + Shift + Command + B |
Distort objects using a warp-shaped envelope | Alt + Ctrl + Shift + W | Option + Command + Shift + W |
Distort objects using a mesh as the shape of the envelope | Alt + Ctrl + M | Option + Command + M |
Distort objects using another object as the shape of the envelope | Alt + Ctrl + C | Option + Command + C |
Result |
Windows |
macOS |
---|---|---|
Toggle between fill and stroke |
X |
X |
Set fill and stroke to default |
D |
D |
Swap fill and stroke |
Shift + X |
Shift + X |
Select gradient fill mode |
> |
> |
Hide gradient annotator (when using the Gradient tool) | Alt + Ctrl + G | Option + Command + G |
Select color fill mode |
< |
< |
Select no stroke/fill mode |
/ (forward slash) |
/ (forward slash) |
Sample color from an image or intermediate color from gradient |
Shift + Eyedropper tool |
Shift + Eyedropper tool |
Sample style and append appearance of currently selected item |
Alt + Shift-click + Eyedropper tool |
Option + Shift-click + Eyedropper tool |
Add new fill |
Ctrl + / (forward slash) |
Command + / (forward slash) |
Add new stroke |
Ctrl + Alt + / (forward slash) |
Command + Option + / (forward slash) |
Reset gradient to black and white |
Ctrl-click gradient button in Tools panel or Gradient panel |
Command-click gradient button in Tools panel or Gradient panel |
Make Live Paint (when using the Paint Bucket tool) |
Alt + Ctrl + X | Option + Command + X
|
Decrease Bristle brush size |
[ |
[ |
Increase Bristle brush size |
] |
] |
Work with Live Paint groups
Shortcuts |
Windows |
macOS |
---|---|---|
Switch to Eyedropper tool and sample fill and/or stroke |
Alt-click + Live Paint Bucket tool |
Option-click + Live Paint Bucket tool |
Switch to Eyedropper tool and sample color from an image or intermediate color from a gradient |
Alt + Shift-click + Live Paint Bucket tool |
Option + Shift-click + Live Paint Bucket tool |
Select opposite Live Paint Bucket tool options (if Paint Fills and Paint Strokes are currently selected, switch to Paint Fills only) |
Shift + Live Paint Bucket tool |
Shift + Live Paint Bucket tool |
Fill across unstroked edges into adjacent faces |
Double-click + Live Paint Bucket tool |
Double-click + Live Paint Bucket tool |
Fill all faces that have same fill and stroke all edges that have same stroke |
Triple-click + Live Paint Bucket tool |
Triple-click + Live Paint Bucket tool |
Switch to Eyedropper tool and sample fill and/or stroke |
Alt-click + Live Paint Selection tool |
Option-click + Live Paint Selection tool |
Switch to Eyedropper tool and sample color from an image or intermediate color from a gradient |
Alt + Shift-click + Live Paint Selection tool |
Option + Shift-click + Live Paint Selection tool |
Add to/subtract from a selection |
Shift-click + Live Paint Selection tool |
Shift-click + Live Paint Selection tool |
Select all connected faces /edges with same fill/stroke |
Double-click + Live Paint Selection tool |
Double-click + Live Paint Selection tool |
Select all faces/edges with same fill/stroke |
Triple-click + Live Paint Selection tool |
Triple-click + Live Paint Selection tool |
Work with objects
Shortcuts |
Windows |
macOS |
---|---|---|
Set origin point and open dialog box when using Rotate tool, Scale tool, Reflect tool, or Shear tool |
Alt-click |
Option-click |
Duplicate and transform selection when using Selection tool, Scale tool, Reflect tool, or Shear tool |
Alt-drag |
Option-drag |
Transform pattern (independent of object) when using Selection tool, Scale tool, Reflect tool, or Shear tool |
Tilde (~)-drag |
Tilde (~)-drag |
Reapply a transformation to an object | Ctrl + D | Command + D |
Apply last pathfinder effect to the selected object | Ctrl + 4 | Command + 4 |
Move an object | Shift + Ctrl + M | Shift + Command + M |
Open the Transform Each dialog box | Alt + Shift + Ctrl + D | Option + Shift + Command + D |
Make a clipping mask | Ctrl + 7 | Command + 7 |
Release a clipping mask | Alt + Ctrl + 7 | Option + Command + 7 |
Toggle between fill and stroke | X | X |
Set fill and stroke to default | D | D |
Swap fill and stroke | Shift + X | Shift + X |
Select gradient fill mode | > | > |
Hide gradient annotator (when using the Gradient tool) | Alt + Ctrl + G | Option + Command + G |
Select color fill mode | < | < |
Select no stroke/fill mode | / (forward slash) | / (forward slash) |
Sample color from an image or intermediate color from gradient | Shift + Eyedropper tool | Shift + Eyedropper tool |
Sample style and append appearance of currently selected item | Alt + Shift-click + Eyedropper tool | Option + Shift-click + Eyedropper tool |
Add new fill | Ctrl + / (forward slash) | Command + / (forward slash) |
Add new stroke | Ctrl + Alt + / (forward slash) | Command + Option + / (forward slash) |
Reset gradient to black and white | Ctrl-click gradient button in Tools panel or Gradient panel | Command-click gradient button in Tools panel or Gradient panel |
Make Live Paint (when using the Paint Bucket tool) | Alt + Ctrl + X | Option + Command + X |
Decrease Bristle brush size | [ | [ |
Increase Bristle brush size | ] | ] |
Create variable width points
Shortcuts |
Windows |
macOS |
---|---|---|
Select multiple width points |
Shift+click |
Shift+click |
Create non-uniform widths |
Alt+drag |
Option+drag |
Create a copy of the width point |
Alt+drag the width point |
Options+drag the width point |
Change the position of multiple width points |
Shift+drag |
Shift+drag |
Delete selected width point |
Delete |
Delete |
Deselect a width point |
Esc |
Esc |
Work with type
Shortcuts |
Windows |
macOS |
---|---|---|
Bold |
Shift + Ctrl + B |
Shift + Command + B |
Italic |
Shift + Ctrl + I |
Shift + Command + I |
Underline |
Shift + Ctrl + U |
Shift + Command + U |
Move one character right or left
|
Right Arrow or Left Arrow |
Right Arrow or Left Arrow |
Move up or down one line |
Up Arrow or Down Arrow |
Up Arrow or Down Arrow |
Move one word right or left |
Ctrl + Right Arrow or Left Arrow |
Command + Right Arrow or Left Arrow |
Move up or down one paragraph |
Ctrl + Up Arrow or Down Arrow |
Command + Up Arrow or Down Arrow |
Select one word right or left |
Shift + Ctrl + Right Arrow or Left Arrow |
Shift + Command + Right Arrow or Left Arrow |
Select one paragraph before or after |
Shift + Ctrl + Up Arrow or Down Arrow |
Shift + Command + Up Arrow or Down Arrow |
Extend existing selection |
Shift-click |
Shift-click |
Align paragraph left, right, or center |
Ctrl + Shift + L, R, or C |
Command + Shift + L, R, or C |
Justify text left |
Ctrl + Shift + J |
Command + Shift + J |
Justify all lines | Shift + Ctrl + F | Shift + Command + F |
Toggle line composer | Alt + Shift + Ctrl + C | Option + Shift + Command + |
Insert soft return |
Shift + Enter |
Shift + Return |
Highlight kerning |
Ctrl + Alt + K |
Command + Option + K |
Reset horizontal scale to 100% |
Ctrl + Shift + X |
Command + Shift + X |
Increase or decrease font size |
Ctrl + Shift + . or , |
Command + Shift + . or , |
Increase or decrease font size by steps | Alt + Ctrl + Shift + . or , | Option + Command +Shift + . or , |
Increase or decrease leading |
Alt + Up or Down Arrow (horizontal text) or Right or Left Arrow (vertical text) |
Option + Up or Down Arrow (horizontal text) or Right or Left Arrow (vertical text) |
Select tracking value | Alt + Ctrl + K | Option + Command + K |
Reset tracking/kerning to 0 |
Ctrl + Alt + Q |
Command + Option + Q |
Increase or decrease kerning and tracking |
Alt + Right or Left Arrow (horizontal text) or Up or Down Arrow (vertical text) |
Option + Right or Left Arrow (horizontal text) or Up or Down Arrow (vertical text) |
Increase or decrease kerning and tracking by five times |
Ctrl + Alt + Right or Left Arrow (horizontal text) or Up or Down Arrow (vertical text) |
Command + Option + Right or Left Arrow (horizontal text) or Up or Down Arrow (vertical text) |
Increase or decrease baseline shift |
Alt + Shift + Up or Down Arrow (horizontal text) or Right or Left Arrow (vertical text) |
Option + Shift + Up or Down Arrow (horizontal text) or Right or Left Arrow (vertical text) |
Switch between Type and Vertical Type, Area Type and Vertical Area Type, and Path Type and Vertical Path Type tools |
Shift |
Shift |
Switch between Area Type and Path Type, Vertical Area Type and Vertical Path Type tools |
Alt |
Option |
Create outlines | Shift + Ctrl + O | Shift + Command + O |
Open the Character panel | Ctrl + T | Command + T |
Open the Paragraph panel | Alt + Ctrl + T | Option + Command + T |
Open the Tabs panel | Shift + Ctrl + T | Shift + Command + T |
Open the OpenType panel | Alt + Shift + Ctrl + T | Option + Shift + Command + T |
Insert bullets | Alt + 8 | Option + 8 |
Insert copyright symbol | Alt + G | Option + G |
Insert ellipsis | Alt + ; | Option + ; |
Insert paragraph symbol | Alt + 7 | Option + 7 |
Insert section symbol |
Alt + 6 |
Option + 6 |
Insert trademark symbol | Alt + 2 | Option + 2 |
Insert registered trademark symbol | Alt + R | Option + R |
Superscript | Shift + Ctrl + = | Shift + Command + = |
Subscript | Alt + Shift + Ctrl + = | Alt + Shift + Ctrl + = |
Insert em dash | Alt + Shift + - | Option + Shift + - |
Insert en dash | Alt + - | Option + - |
Insert discretionary hyphen | Shift + Ctrl + - | Shift + Command + - |
Toggle auto-hyphenation | Alt + Shift + Ctrl + H | Option + Shift + Command + H |
Insert double left quotation marks | Alt + [ | Option + [ |
Insert double right quotation marks | Alt + Shift + [ | Option + Shift + [ |
Insert single left quotation marks | Alt + ] | Option + ] |
Insert single right quotation marks | Alt + Shift + ] | Option + Shift + ] |
Insert em space | Shift + Ctrl + M | Shift + Command + M |
Insert en space | Shift + Ctrl + N | Shift + Command + N |
Insert thin space | Alt + Shift + Ctrl + M | Option + Shift + Command + M |
Show hidden characters | Alt + Ctrl + I | Option + Command + I |
To change the increment value for type shortcuts, choose Edit > Preferences >Type (Windows) or Illustrator > Preferences >Type (macOS). Enter the values you want in the Size/Leading, Baseline Shift, and Tracking text boxes, and click OK.
Use panels
Shortcuts |
Windows |
macOS |
---|---|---|
Set options (except for Actions, Brushes, Swatches, and Symbols panels) |
Alt-click New button |
Option-click New button |
Switch units of measurement | Alt + Shift + Ctrl + U | Option + Shift + Command + U |
Delete without confirmation (except for Layers panel) |
Alt-click Delete button |
Option-click Delete button |
Apply value and keep text box active |
Shift + Enter |
Shift + Return |
Select range of actions, brushes, layers, links, styles, or swatches |
Shift-click |
Shift-click |
Select noncontiguous actions, brushes, layers (same level only), links, styles, or swatches |
Ctrl-click |
Command-click |
Show/Hide all panels |
Tab |
Tab |
Show/Hide all panels except the Tools panel and Control panel |
Shift + Tab |
Shift + Tab |
Increase/ decrease values in logical fractions of the measurement unit | Ctrl + Up or Down Arrow | Command + Up or Down Arrow |
Increase/ decrease measurement unit by 10x | Shift + Up or Down Arrow | Shift + Up or Down Arrow |
Actions panel
|
Windows |
macOS |
---|---|---|
Expand/Collapse entire hierarchy for action set |
Alt-click expansion triangle |
Option-click expansion triangle |
Set options for action set |
Double-click folder icon |
Double-click folder icon |
Play a single command |
Ctrl-click Play Current Selection button |
Command-click Play Current Selection button |
Begin recording actions without confirmation |
Alt-click New Action button |
Option-click New Action button |
Brushes panel
Shortcuts |
Windows |
macOS |
---|---|---|
Open Brush Options dialog box |
Double-click brush |
Double-click brush |
Duplicate brush |
Drag brush to New Brush button |
Drag brush to New Brush button |
Character and Paragraph panels
Shortcuts |
Windows |
macOS |
---|---|---|
Open the Character panel |
Ctrl + T |
Command + T |
Open the Paragraph panel |
Alt + Ctrl + T |
Option + Command + T |
Increase/decrease the selected value by a small increment |
Up Arrow or Down Arrow |
Up Arrow or Down Arrow |
Increase/decreases the selected value by a large increment |
Shift + Up Arrow or Down Arrow |
Shift + Up Arrow or Down Arrow |
Increase/decrease the selected value by a fraction |
Ctrl + Up or Down Arrow |
Command + Up or Down Arrow |
Highlight the font name field in the Character panel |
Ctrl + Alt + Shift + F |
Command + Option + Shift + F |
Color panel
Shortcuts |
Windows |
macOS |
---|---|---|
Select the complement for the current color fill/stroke |
Ctrl-click color bar |
Command-click color bar |
Change the nonactive fill/stroke |
Alt-click color bar |
Option-click color bar |
Select the complement for the nonactive fill/stroke |
Ctrl + Alt-click color bar |
Command + Option-click color bar |
Select the inverse for the current fill/stroke |
Ctrl + Shift-click color bar |
Command + Shift-click color bar |
Select the inverse for the nonactive fill/stroke |
Ctrl + Shift + Alt-click color bar |
Command + Shift + Option-click color bar |
Open Color Guide |
Shift + F3 |
Shift + F3 |
Change the color mode |
Shift-click color bar |
Shift-click color bar |
Move color sliders in tandem |
Shift-drag color slider |
Shift-drag color slider |
Switch between percentage and 0-255 values for RGB |
Double-click to right of a numerical field |
Double-click to right of a numerical field |
Gradient panel
Shortcuts |
Windows |
macOS |
---|---|---|
Duplicate color stops |
Alt-drag |
Option-drag |
Swap color stops |
Alt-drag color stop onto another stop |
Option-drag color stop onto another color stop |
Apply swatch color to active (or selected) color stop |
Alt-click swatch in the Swatches panel |
Option-click swatch in the Swatches panel |
Reset the gradient fill to default black and white linear gradient |
Ctrl-click Gradient Fill box in the Gradient panel |
Command-click Gradient Fill box in the Gradient panel |
Show/Hide gradient arrow |
Ctrl + Alt + G |
Command + Option + G |
Modify angle and end-point together |
Alt-drag end point of gradient annotator |
Option-drag end point of gradient annotator |
Constrain Gradient tool or Gradient annotator while dragging |
Shift-drag |
Shift-drag |
View Gradient annotator in selected gradient filled object |
G |
G |
Layers panel
Shortcuts |
Windows |
macOS |
---|---|---|
Add a layer | Ctrl + L | Command + L |
Add a layer while opening the New Layer dialog box | Alt + Ctrl + L | Option + Command + L |
Select all objects on the layer |
Alt-click layer name |
Option-click layer name |
Show/hide all layers but the selected one |
Alt-click eye icon |
Option-click eye icon |
Select Outline/Preview view for the selected layer |
Ctrl-click eye icon |
Command-click eye icon |
Selects Outline/Preview view for all other layers |
Ctrl + Alt-click eye icon |
Command + Option-click eye icon |
Lock/unlock all other layers |
Alt-click lock icon |
Option-click lock icon |
Expand all sublayers to display entire hierarchy |
Alt-click expansion triangle |
Option-click expansion triangle |
Set options as you create new layer |
Alt-click New Layer button |
Option-click New Layer button |
Set options as you create new sublayer |
Alt-click New Sublayer button |
Option-click New Sublayer button |
Place new sublayer at bottom of layer list |
Ctrl + Alt-click New Sublayer button |
Command + Option-click New Sublayer button |
Place layer at top of layer list |
Ctrl-click New Layer button |
Command-click New Layer button |
Place layer below selected layer |
Ctrl + Alt-click New Layer button |
Command + Option-click New Layer button |
Copy the selection to a layer, sublayer, or group |
Alt-drag selection |
Option-drag selection |
Swatches panel
Shortcuts |
Windows |
macOS |
---|---|---|
Create new spot color |
Ctrl-click New Swatch button |
Command-click New Swatch button |
Create new global process color |
Ctrl + Shift-click New Swatch button |
Command + Shift-click New Swatch button |
Replace swatch with another |
Alt-drag a swatch over another |
Option-drag a swatch over another |
Transform panel
Shortcuts |
Windows |
macOS |
---|---|---|
Apply a value and keep focus in edit field |
Shift + Enter |
Shift + Return |
Apply a value and copy object |
Alt + Enter |
Option + Return |
Apply a value and scale option proportionately for width or height |
Ctrl + Enter |
Command + Return |
Transparency panel
Shortcuts |
Windows |
macOS |
---|---|---|
Apply last effect to the selected object |
Shift + Ctrl + E |
Shift + Command + E |
Apply last effect to the selected object by adjusting the values in the effects dialog box |
Alt + Shift + Ctrl +E |
Option + Shift + Command + E |
Change mask to grayscale image for editing |
Alt-click on mask thumbnail |
Option-click on mask thumbnail |
Disable opacity mask |
Shift-click on mask thumbnail |
Shift-click on mask thumbnail |
Re-enable opacity mask |
Shift-click on disabled mask thumbnail |
Shift-click on disabled mask thumbnail |
Increase/decrease opacity in 1% increments |
Click opacity field + Up Arrow or Down Arrow |
Click opacity field + Up Arrow or Down Arrow |
Increase/decrease opacity in 10% increments |
Shift-click opacity field + Up Arrow or Down Arrow |
Shift-click opacity field + Up Arrow or Down Arrow |
Function keys
Shortcuts |
Windows |
macOS |
---|---|---|
Invoke Help |
F1 |
F1 |
Cut |
F2 |
F2 |
Copy |
F3 |
F3 |
Paste |
F4 |
F4 |
Show/hide Brushes panel |
F5 |
F5 |
Show/hide Color panel |
F6 |
F6 |
Show/hide Layers panel |
F7 |
F7 |
Create new symbol |
F8 |
F8 |
Show/hide Info panel |
Ctrl + F8 |
Command + F8 |
Show/hide Gradient panel |
Ctrl + F9 |
Command + F9 |
Show/hide Stroke panel |
Ctrl + F10 |
Command + F10 |
Show/hide Attributes panel |
Ctrl + F11 |
Command + F11 |
Revert |
F12 |
F12 |
Show/hide Graphic Styles panel |
Shift + F5 |
Shift + F5 |
Show/hide Appearance panel |
Shift + F6 |
Shift + F6 |
Show/hide Align panel |
Shift + F7 |
Shift + F7 |
Show/hide Transform panel |
Shift + F8 |
Shift + F8 |
Show/hide Pathfinder panel |
Shift + Ctrl + F9 |
Shift + Command + F9 |
Show/hide Transparency panel |
Shift + Ctrl + F10 |
Shift + Command + F10 |
Show/hide Symbols panel |
Shift + Ctrl + F11 |
Shift + Command + F11 |
Export keyboard shortcut list as a text document
You can export the list of default and custom keyboard shortcuts for tools and menu commands in Illustrator as a text document by following the steps given below:
-
Choose Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts.
-
Click Export Text on the lower-left corner of the Keyboard Shortcuts dialog box.
-
Navigate to the desired location to save the text file.
-
Click Save.