Shortcuts
- Illustrator User Guide
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- Introduction to Illustrator
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- Enhanced reshape workflows with touch support
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- Add text and work with type objects
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- Special characters
- Create type on a path
- Character and paragraph styles
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- Find missing fonts (Typekit workflow)
- Arabic and Hebrew type
- Fonts | FAQ and troubleshooting tips
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- Creative typography designs
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- Spelling and language dictionaries
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- Create text designs with blend objects
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- Import, export, and save
- Import
- Creative Cloud Libraries in Illustrator
- Save
- Export
- Printing
- Prepare for printing
- Printing
- Automate tasks
- Troubleshooting
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 + [ |
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 |
Option |
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 |
---|---|---|
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.
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