Keys for selecting tools
Artboard tool Shift + O
Selection tool V
Direct Selection tool A
Magic Wand tool Y
Lasso tool Q
Pen tool P
Blob Brush tool Shift + B
Add Anchor Point tool + (plus)
Delete Anchor Point tool - (minus)
Convert Anchor Point tool Shift + C
Type tool T
Line Segment tool \ (backslash)
Rectangle tool M
Ellipse tool L
Paintbrush tool B
Pencil tool N
Rotate tool R
Reflect tool O
Scale tool S
Warp tool Shift + R
Width tool Shift+W
Free Transform tool E
Shape Builder Tool Shift+M
Perspective Grid Tool Shift+P
Perspective Selection Tool Shift+V
Symbol Sprayer tool Shift + S
Column Graph tool J
Mesh tool U
Gradient tool G
Eyedropper tool I
Blend tool W
Live Paint Bucket tool K
Live Paint Selection tool Shift + L
Slice tool Shift + K
Eraser tool Shift + E
Scissors tool C
Hand tool H
Zoom tool Z
Switch to Smooth tool while using Blob Brush tool Press Alt
Keys for viewing artwork
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not
displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Toggle between screen modes: Normal Screen Mode, Full Screen Mode with Menu Bar, Full Screen Mode F
Fit imageable area in window Double-click Hand tool
Magnify 100% Double-click Zoom tool
Switch to Hand tool (when not in text-edit mode) Spacebar
Switch to Zoom tool in magnify mode Ctrl + Spacebar
Switch to Zoom tool in reduce mode Ctrl + Alt + Spacebar
Move Zoom marquee while dragging with the Zoom tool Spacebar
Hide unselected artwork Control + Alt + Shift + 3
Convert between horizontal and vertical guide Alt-drag guide
Release guide Ctrl + Shift-double-click guide
Show/Hide artboards Ctrl + Shift + H
Show/Hide artboard rulers Ctrl + Alt + R
View all artboards in window Ctrl + Alt + 0 (zero)
Paste in place on the active artboard Ctrl+Shift+V
Exit Artboard tool mode Esc
Create artboard inside another artboard Shift-drag
Select multiple artboards in the Artboards panel Ctrl + click
Navigate to next document Ctrl + F6
Navigate to previous document Ctrl + Shift + F6
Navigate to next document group Ctrl + Alt + F6
Navigate to previous document group Ctrl + Alt + Shift + F6
Exit Full Screen mode Esc
Save multiple artboards to Illustrator CS3 or earlier format Alt + v
Keys for drawing
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Constrain a shape’s proportions or orientation to:
Move a shape while drawing it spacebar-drag
Draw from the center of a shape (except for polygons, stars, and flares) Alt-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
Keep the inner radius of a star constant Start dragging, then hold down Ctrl
Keep the sides of a star straight Alt-drag
Switch between an open and closed arc Start dragging, then hold down C
Flip an arc, keeping the reference point constant Start dragging, then hold down F
Add or subtract winds from a spiral while increasing the length of the spiral Start dragging, then Alt-drag
Change the decay rate of a spiral Start dragging then Ctrl-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
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
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
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
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
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
Create and expand a Live Trace object in one step Alt-click Live Trace in the Control panel, or hold down Alt and select a tracing preset
Increase size of Blob Brush ] (right square bracket)
Decrease size of Blob Brush [ (left square bracket)
Constrain Blob Brush path horizontally or vertically Shift
Switch through drawing modes Shift+D
Join two or more paths Select the paths, then press Ctrl+J
Create corner or smooth join Select the paths, then press Shift+Ctrl+Alt+j
Keys for drawing in perspective
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Perspective Grid Tool Shift+P
Perspective Selection Tool Shift+V
Perspective Grid Ctrl+Shift+I
Moving objects perpendicularly 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
Copying objects in perspective Ctrl+Alt+drag
Repeat transforming objects in perspective Ctrl+D
Switching between drawing modes Shift+D
Keys for selecting
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Switch to last-used selection tool (Selection tool, Direct Selection tool, or Group Selection tool) Ctrl
Switch between Direct Selection tool and Group Selection tool
Add to a selection with Selection tool, Direct Selection tool, Group Selection tool, Live Paint Selection tool, or Magic Wand tool
Subtract a selection with Selection tool, Direct Selection tool, Group Selection tool, or LIve Paint Selection tool
Subtract from selection with Magic Wand tool Alt-click
Add to selection with Lasso tool Shift-drag
Subtract from selection with Lasso tool Alt-drag
Change pointer to cross hair for Lasso tool Caps Lock
Select artwork in active artboard Ctrl + Alt + A
Create crop marks around selected object Alt + c + o
Select behind an object Press Ctrl+click twice
Select behind in isolation mode Ctrl+click twice
Keys for moving selections
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Move selection in user-defined increments
Move selection in 10x user-
defined increments
Lock all deselected artwork Ctrl + Alt + Shift + 2 Command + Option + Shift
Constrain movement to 45° angle (except when using Reflect tool)
Right Arrow, Left Arrow,
Up Arrow, or Down Arrow
Shift + Right Arrow, Left
Arrow, Up Arrow, or Down
Arrow
Right Arrow, Left Arrow, Up
Arrow, or Down Arrow
Shift + Right Arrow, Left
Arrow, Up Arrow, or Down
Arrow
+ 2
Hold down Shift Hold down Shift
Set keyboard increments in General Preferences
Keys for editing shapes
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Switch Pen tool to Convert Anchor Point tool Alt Option
Switch between Add Anchor Point tool and Delete
Anchor Point tool
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
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
Erase unwanted closed regions created using Shape
Builder tool
Select the Shape Builder tool Shift+M Shift+M
Display rectangular marquee to easily merge multiple
paths (when using Shape Builder tool)
Alt Option
Spacebar-drag Spacebar-drag
Alt + Shape
mode
Alt+click the
closed region
Option + Shape
mode
Option+click
the closed
region
Shift+click+drag Shift+click+drag
Keys for painting objects
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Toggle between fill and
stroke
Set fill and stroke to default D D
Swap fill and stroke Shift + X Shift + X
Select gradient fill mode > >
Select color fill mode < <
Select no stroke/fill mode / (forward slash) / (forward slash)
Sample color from an image
or intermediate color from
gradient
Sample style and append
appearance of currently
selected item
Add new fill Ctrl + / (forward slash) Command + / (forward slash)
Add new stroke Ctrl + Alt + / (forward
Reset gradient to black and Ctrl-click gradient button Command-click gradient
X X
Shift + Eyedropper tool Shift + Eyedropper tool
Alt + Shift-click +
Eyedropper tool
Option + Shift-click +
Eyedropper tool
slash)
Command + Option + /
(forward slash)
white in Tools panel or Gradient
Open Mosaic options for
selected raster object
Decrease Bristle brush size [ [
Increase Bristle brush size ] ]
Set Bristle brush paint opacity
value
button in Tools panel or
Gradient panel
panel
Alt + o + j
Number keys 1 - 0.
Number key 1 increases
the value to 10%
Number key 0 increases
the value to 100%
Number keys 1 - 0.
Number key 1 increases the
value to 10%
Number key 0 increases the
value to 100%
Keys for working with Live Paint groups
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Switch to Eyedropper tool and sample fill and/or
stroke
Switch to Eyedropper tool and sample color from an
image or intermediate color from a gradient
Select opposite Live Paint Bucket tool options (if
Paint Fills and Paint Strokes are currently selected,
switch to Paint Fills only)
Fill across unstroked edges into adjacent faces Double-click +
To the top
Fill all faces that have same fill and stroke all edges
that have same stroke
Switch to Eyedropper tool and sample fill and/or
stroke
Switch to Eyedropper tool and sample color from an
image or intermediate color from a gradient
Add to/subtract from a selection Shift-click + Live
Select all connected faces /edges with same
fill/stroke
Select all faces/edges with same fill/stroke Triple-click +
Alt-click + Live
Paint Bucket
tool
Alt + Shift-click
+ Live Paint
Bucket tool
Shift + Live
Paint Bucket
tool
Live Paint
Bucket tool
Triple-click +
Live Paint
Bucket tool
Alt-click + Live
Paint Selection
tool
Alt + Shift-click
+ Live Paint
Selection tool
Paint Selection
tool
Double-click +
Live Paint
Selection tool
Live Paint
Selection tool
Option-click +
Live Paint Bucket
tool
Option + Shift-
click + Live Paint
Bucket tool
Shift + Live Paint
Bucket tool
Double-click +
Live Paint Bucket
tool
Triple-click + Live
Paint Bucket tool
Option-click +
Live Paint
Selection tool
Option + Shift-
click + Live Paint
Selection tool
Shift-click + Live
Paint Selection
tool
Double-click +
Live Paint
Selection tool
Triple-click + Live
Paint Selection
tool
Keys for transforming objects
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Set origin point and open dialog box when using Rotate tool, Scale
tool, Reflect tool, or Shear tool
Duplicate and transform selection when using Selection tool, Scale
tool, Reflect tool, or Shear tool
Transform pattern (independent of object) when using Selection tool,
Scale tool, Reflect tool, or Shear tool
Alt-click Option-
click
Alt-drag Option-
drag
Tilde (~)-
drag
Tilde
(~)-
drag
Keys for creating variable width points
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
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
Change the position of multiple width
points
Delete selected width point Delete Delete
Deselect a width point Esc Esc
Options+drag the width
point
point
Shift+drag Shift+drag
Keys for working with type
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Move one character right or left Right Arrow or Left
Move up or down one line Up Arrow or Down
Move one word right or left Ctrl + Right Arrow or
Move up or down one paragraph Ctrl + Up Arrow or
Select one word right or left Shift + Ctrl + Right
Select one paragraph before or
after
Arrow
Arrow
Left Arrow
Down Arrow
Arrow or Left Arrow
Shift + Ctrl + Up Arrow
or Down Arrow
Right Arrow or Left Arrow
Up Arrow or Down Arrow
Command + Right Arrow
or Left Arrow
Command + Up Arrow or
Down Arrow
Shift + Command + Right
Arrow or Left Arrow
Shift + Command + Up
Arrow or Down Arrow
Extend existing selection Shift-click Shift-click
Align paragraph left, right, or
center
Justify paragraph Ctrl + Shift + J Command + Shift + J
Insert soft return Shift + Enter Shift + Return
Highlight kerning Ctrl + Alt + K Command + Option + K
Reset horizontalscale to 100% Ctrl + Shift + X Command + Shift + X
Increase or decrease type size Ctrl + Shift + > or < Command + Shift + > or <
Increase or decrease leading Alt + Up or Down Arrow
Ctrl + Shift + L, R, or C Command + Shift + L, R, or
C
(horizontal text) or
Right or Left Arrow
(vertical text)
Option + Up or Down
Arrow (horizontal text) or
Right or Left Arrow (vertical
text)
Reset tracking/kerning to 0 Ctrl + Alt + Q Command + Option + Q
Increase or decrease kerning and
tracking
Increase or decrease kerning and
tracking by five times
Alt + Right or Left
Arrow (horizontal text)
or Up or Down Arrow
(vertical text)
Ctrl + Alt + 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)
Shift Shift
Option + 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)
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
Switch between Area Type and
Path Type, Vertical Area Type and
Vertical Path Type tools
To change the increment value for type shortcuts, choose Edit > Preferences >Type (Windows)
or Illustrator > Preferences >Type (Mac OS). Enter the values you want in the Size/Leading, Baseline
Shift, and Tracking text boxes, and click OK.
Keys for using panels
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Set options (except for Actions, Brushes, Swatches, and
Symbols panels)
Delete without confirmation (except for Layers panel) Alt-click
Alt Option
Alt-click New
button
Delete
button
Option-click
New 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
Select noncontiguous actions, brushes, layers (same
level only), links, styles, or swatches
Show/Hide all panels Tab Tab
Show/Hide all panels except the Tools panel and Control
panel
Shift-click Shift-click
Ctrl-click Command-click
Shift + Tab Shift + Tab
Keys for the Actions panel
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Expand/Collapse entire
hierarchy for action set
Set options for action set Double-click folder icon Double-click folder icon
Play a single command Ctrl-click Play Current
Begin recording actions
without confirmation
Alt-click expansion
triangle
Option-click expansion
triangle
Selection button
Alt-click New Action
button
Command-click Play Current
Selection button
Option-click New Action
button
Keys for the Brushes panel
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Open Brush Options dialog
box
Duplicate brush Drag brush to New Brush
Double-click brush Double-click brush
button
Drag brush to New Brush
button
Keys for the Character and Paragraph panels
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not
displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Result Windows Mac OS
Increase/decrease the selected value by a
small increment
Increase/decreases the selected value by
a large increment
Highlight the font name field in the
Character panel
Up Arrow or Down
Arrow
Shift + Up Arrow or
Down Arrow
Ctrl + Alt + Shift + F Command + Option +
Up Arrow or Down
Arrow
Shift + Up Arrow or
Down Arrow
Shift + F
Keys for the Color panel
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Select the complement for the
current color fill/stroke
Change the nonactive fill/stroke Alt-click color bar Option-click color bar
Select the complement for the
nonactive fill/stroke
Select the inverse for the current
fill/stroke
Select the inverse for the
nonactive fill/stroke
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
Ctrl-click color bar Command-click color bar
Ctrl + Alt-click color bar Command + Option-click
Ctrl + Shift-click color bar Command + Shift-click
Ctrl + Shift + Alt-click
color bar
color bar
color bar
Command + Shift +
Option-click color bar
Double-click to right of a
numerical field
Double-click to right of a
numerical field
Keys for the Gradient panel
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Duplicate color stops Alt-drag Option-drag
Swap color stops Alt-drag color stop onto
Apply swatch color to active (or
selected) color stop
Reset the gradient fill to default
black and white linear gradient
Show/Hide gradient arrow Ctrl + Alt + G Command + Option + G
Modify angle and end-point
together
Constrain Gradient tool or
Gradient annotator while
dragging
View Gradient annotator in
selected gradient filled object
another stop
Alt-click swatch in the
Swatches panel
Ctrl-click Gradient Fill
box in the Gradient
panel
Option-drag color stop onto
another color stop
Option-click swatch in the
Swatches panel
Command-click Gradient Fill
box in the Gradient panel
Alt-drag end point of
gradient annotator
Shift-drag Shift-drag
Option-drag end point of
gradient annotator
G G
Keys for the Layers panel
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not
displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Select all objects on the layer Alt-click layer name Option-click layer name
Show/hide all layers but the
selected one
Select Outline/Preview view for
the selected layer
Selects Outline/Preview view for
all other layers
Lock/unlock all other layers Alt-click lock icon Option-click lock icon
Expand allsublayers to display
entire hierarchy
Set options as you create new
layer
Set options as you create new
sublayer
Place new sublayer at bottom of
layer list
Place layer at top of layer list Ctrl-click New Layer
Place layer below selected layer Ctrl + Alt-click New
Copy the selection to a layer,
sublayer, or group
Alt-click eye icon Option-click eye icon
Ctrl-click eye icon Command-click eye icon
Ctrl + Alt-click eye icon Command + Option-click eye
icon
Alt-click expansion
triangle
Alt-click New Layer
button
Alt-click New Sublayer
button
Ctrl + Alt-click New
Sublayer button
button
Layer button
Alt-drag selection Option-drag selection
Option-click expansion triangle
Option-click New Layer button
Option-click New Sublayer
button
Command + Option-click New
Sublayer button
Command-click New Layer
button
Command + Option-click New
Layer button
Keys for the Swatches panel
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not
displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Create new spot color Ctrl-click New Swatch
Create new global
process color
Replace swatch with
another
button
Ctrl + Shift-click New Swatch
button
Alt-drag a swatch over
another
Command-click New Swatch
button
Command + Shift-click New
Swatch button
Option-drag a swatch over
another
Keys for the Transform panel
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not
displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Apply a value and keep focus in edit field Shift +
Apply a value and copy object Alt +
Apply a value and scale option proportionately for width Ctrl + Command +
Enter
Enter
Shift + Return
Option + Return
or height Enter Return
Keys for the Transparency panel
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Change mask to grayscale
image for editing
Disable opacity mask Shift-click on mask thumbnail Shift-click on mask thumbnail
Re-enable opacity mask Shift-click on disabled mask Shift-click on disabled mask thumbnail
Increase/decrease opacity in 1% increments Click opacity field + Up Arrow or Down Arrow
Increase/decrease opacity in 10% increments Shift-click opacity field + Up Arrow or Down Arrow
Function keys
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not
displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Invoke Help F1
Cut F2
Copy F3
Paste F4
Show/hide Brushes panel F5
Show/hide Color panel F6
Show/hide Layers panel F7
Create new symbol F8
Show/hide Info panel Ctrl + F8
Show/hide Gradient panel Ctrl + F9
Show/hide Stroke panel Ctrl + F10
Show/hide Attributes panel Ctrl + F11
Revert F12
Show/hide Graphic Styles panel Shift + F5
Show/hide Appearance panel Shift + F6
Show/hide Align panel Shift + F7
Show/hide Transform panel Shift + F8
Show/hide Pathfinder panel Shift + Ctrl + F9
Show/hide Transparency panel Shift + Ctrl + F10
Show/hide Symbols panel Shift + Ctrl + F11
Show/hide perspective grid Ctrl+Shift+I
Artboard tool Shift + O
Selection tool V
Direct Selection tool A
Magic Wand tool Y
Lasso tool Q
Pen tool P
Blob Brush tool Shift + B
Add Anchor Point tool + (plus)
Delete Anchor Point tool - (minus)
Convert Anchor Point tool Shift + C
Type tool T
Line Segment tool \ (backslash)
Rectangle tool M
Ellipse tool L
Paintbrush tool B
Pencil tool N
Rotate tool R
Reflect tool O
Scale tool S
Warp tool Shift + R
Width tool Shift+W
Free Transform tool E
Shape Builder Tool Shift+M
Perspective Grid Tool Shift+P
Perspective Selection Tool Shift+V
Symbol Sprayer tool Shift + S
Column Graph tool J
Mesh tool U
Gradient tool G
Eyedropper tool I
Blend tool W
Live Paint Bucket tool K
Live Paint Selection tool Shift + L
Slice tool Shift + K
Eraser tool Shift + E
Scissors tool C
Hand tool H
Zoom tool Z
Switch to Smooth tool while using Blob Brush tool Press Alt
Keys for viewing artwork
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not
displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Toggle between screen modes: Normal Screen Mode, Full Screen Mode with Menu Bar, Full Screen Mode F
Fit imageable area in window Double-click Hand tool
Magnify 100% Double-click Zoom tool
Switch to Hand tool (when not in text-edit mode) Spacebar
Switch to Zoom tool in magnify mode Ctrl + Spacebar
Switch to Zoom tool in reduce mode Ctrl + Alt + Spacebar
Move Zoom marquee while dragging with the Zoom tool Spacebar
Hide unselected artwork Control + Alt + Shift + 3
Convert between horizontal and vertical guide Alt-drag guide
Release guide Ctrl + Shift-double-click guide
Show/Hide artboards Ctrl + Shift + H
Show/Hide artboard rulers Ctrl + Alt + R
View all artboards in window Ctrl + Alt + 0 (zero)
Paste in place on the active artboard Ctrl+Shift+V
Exit Artboard tool mode Esc
Create artboard inside another artboard Shift-drag
Select multiple artboards in the Artboards panel Ctrl + click
Navigate to next document Ctrl + F6
Navigate to previous document Ctrl + Shift + F6
Navigate to next document group Ctrl + Alt + F6
Navigate to previous document group Ctrl + Alt + Shift + F6
Exit Full Screen mode Esc
Save multiple artboards to Illustrator CS3 or earlier format Alt + v
Keys for drawing
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Constrain a shape’s proportions or orientation to:
- Equal height and width for rectangles, rounded rectangles, ellipses, and grids Shift-drag
- Increments of 45° for line and arc segments Shift-drag
- Original orientation for polygons, stars, and flares Shift-drag
Move a shape while drawing it spacebar-drag
Draw from the center of a shape (except for polygons, stars, and flares) Alt-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
Keep the inner radius of a star constant Start dragging, then hold down Ctrl
Keep the sides of a star straight Alt-drag
Switch between an open and closed arc Start dragging, then hold down C
Flip an arc, keeping the reference point constant Start dragging, then hold down F
Add or subtract winds from a spiral while increasing the length of the spiral Start dragging, then Alt-drag
Change the decay rate of a spiral Start dragging then Ctrl-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
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
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
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
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
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
Create and expand a Live Trace object in one step Alt-click Live Trace in the Control panel, or hold down Alt and select a tracing preset
Increase size of Blob Brush ] (right square bracket)
Decrease size of Blob Brush [ (left square bracket)
Constrain Blob Brush path horizontally or vertically Shift
Switch through drawing modes Shift+D
Join two or more paths Select the paths, then press Ctrl+J
Create corner or smooth join Select the paths, then press Shift+Ctrl+Alt+j
Keys for drawing in perspective
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Perspective Grid Tool Shift+P
Perspective Selection Tool Shift+V
Perspective Grid Ctrl+Shift+I
Moving objects perpendicularly 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
Copying objects in perspective Ctrl+Alt+drag
Repeat transforming objects in perspective Ctrl+D
Switching between drawing modes Shift+D
Keys for selecting
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Switch to last-used selection tool (Selection tool, Direct Selection tool, or Group Selection tool) Ctrl
Switch between Direct Selection tool and Group Selection tool
Add to a selection with Selection tool, Direct Selection tool, Group Selection tool, Live Paint Selection tool, or Magic Wand tool
Subtract a selection with Selection tool, Direct Selection tool, Group Selection tool, or LIve Paint Selection tool
Subtract from selection with Magic Wand tool Alt-click
Add to selection with Lasso tool Shift-drag
Subtract from selection with Lasso tool Alt-drag
Change pointer to cross hair for Lasso tool Caps Lock
Select artwork in active artboard Ctrl + Alt + A
Create crop marks around selected object Alt + c + o
Select behind an object Press Ctrl+click twice
Select behind in isolation mode Ctrl+click twice
Keys for moving selections
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Move selection in user-defined increments
Move selection in 10x user-
defined increments
Lock all deselected artwork Ctrl + Alt + Shift + 2 Command + Option + Shift
Constrain movement to 45° angle (except when using Reflect tool)
Right Arrow, Left Arrow,
Up Arrow, or Down Arrow
Shift + Right Arrow, Left
Arrow, Up Arrow, or Down
Arrow
Right Arrow, Left Arrow, Up
Arrow, or Down Arrow
Shift + Right Arrow, Left
Arrow, Up Arrow, or Down
Arrow
+ 2
Hold down Shift Hold down Shift
Set keyboard increments in General Preferences
Keys for editing shapes
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Switch Pen tool to Convert Anchor Point tool Alt Option
Switch between Add Anchor Point tool and Delete
Anchor Point tool
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
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
Erase unwanted closed regions created using Shape
Builder tool
Select the Shape Builder tool Shift+M Shift+M
Display rectangular marquee to easily merge multiple
paths (when using Shape Builder tool)
Alt Option
Spacebar-drag Spacebar-drag
Alt + Shape
mode
Alt+click the
closed region
Option + Shape
mode
Option+click
the closed
region
Shift+click+drag Shift+click+drag
Keys for painting objects
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Toggle between fill and
stroke
Set fill and stroke to default D D
Swap fill and stroke Shift + X Shift + X
Select gradient fill mode > >
Select color fill mode < <
Select no stroke/fill mode / (forward slash) / (forward slash)
Sample color from an image
or intermediate color from
gradient
Sample style and append
appearance of currently
selected item
Add new fill Ctrl + / (forward slash) Command + / (forward slash)
Add new stroke Ctrl + Alt + / (forward
Reset gradient to black and Ctrl-click gradient button Command-click gradient
X X
Shift + Eyedropper tool Shift + Eyedropper tool
Alt + Shift-click +
Eyedropper tool
Option + Shift-click +
Eyedropper tool
slash)
Command + Option + /
(forward slash)
white in Tools panel or Gradient
Open Mosaic options for
selected raster object
Decrease Bristle brush size [ [
Increase Bristle brush size ] ]
Set Bristle brush paint opacity
value
button in Tools panel or
Gradient panel
panel
Alt + o + j
Number keys 1 - 0.
Number key 1 increases
the value to 10%
Number key 0 increases
the value to 100%
Number keys 1 - 0.
Number key 1 increases the
value to 10%
Number key 0 increases the
value to 100%
Keys for working with Live Paint groups
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Switch to Eyedropper tool and sample fill and/or
stroke
Switch to Eyedropper tool and sample color from an
image or intermediate color from a gradient
Select opposite Live Paint Bucket tool options (if
Paint Fills and Paint Strokes are currently selected,
switch to Paint Fills only)
Fill across unstroked edges into adjacent faces Double-click +
To the top
Fill all faces that have same fill and stroke all edges
that have same stroke
Switch to Eyedropper tool and sample fill and/or
stroke
Switch to Eyedropper tool and sample color from an
image or intermediate color from a gradient
Add to/subtract from a selection Shift-click + Live
Select all connected faces /edges with same
fill/stroke
Select all faces/edges with same fill/stroke Triple-click +
Alt-click + Live
Paint Bucket
tool
Alt + Shift-click
+ Live Paint
Bucket tool
Shift + Live
Paint Bucket
tool
Live Paint
Bucket tool
Triple-click +
Live Paint
Bucket tool
Alt-click + Live
Paint Selection
tool
Alt + Shift-click
+ Live Paint
Selection tool
Paint Selection
tool
Double-click +
Live Paint
Selection tool
Live Paint
Selection tool
Option-click +
Live Paint Bucket
tool
Option + Shift-
click + Live Paint
Bucket tool
Shift + Live Paint
Bucket tool
Double-click +
Live Paint Bucket
tool
Triple-click + Live
Paint Bucket tool
Option-click +
Live Paint
Selection tool
Option + Shift-
click + Live Paint
Selection tool
Shift-click + Live
Paint Selection
tool
Double-click +
Live Paint
Selection tool
Triple-click + Live
Paint Selection
tool
Keys for transforming objects
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Set origin point and open dialog box when using Rotate tool, Scale
tool, Reflect tool, or Shear tool
Duplicate and transform selection when using Selection tool, Scale
tool, Reflect tool, or Shear tool
Transform pattern (independent of object) when using Selection tool,
Scale tool, Reflect tool, or Shear tool
Alt-click Option-
click
Alt-drag Option-
drag
Tilde (~)-
drag
Tilde
(~)-
drag
Keys for creating variable width points
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
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
Change the position of multiple width
points
Delete selected width point Delete Delete
Deselect a width point Esc Esc
Options+drag the width
point
point
Shift+drag Shift+drag
Keys for working with type
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Move one character right or left Right Arrow or Left
Move up or down one line Up Arrow or Down
Move one word right or left Ctrl + Right Arrow or
Move up or down one paragraph Ctrl + Up Arrow or
Select one word right or left Shift + Ctrl + Right
Select one paragraph before or
after
Arrow
Arrow
Left Arrow
Down Arrow
Arrow or Left Arrow
Shift + Ctrl + Up Arrow
or Down Arrow
Right Arrow or Left Arrow
Up Arrow or Down Arrow
Command + Right Arrow
or Left Arrow
Command + Up Arrow or
Down Arrow
Shift + Command + Right
Arrow or Left Arrow
Shift + Command + Up
Arrow or Down Arrow
Extend existing selection Shift-click Shift-click
Align paragraph left, right, or
center
Justify paragraph Ctrl + Shift + J Command + Shift + J
Insert soft return Shift + Enter Shift + Return
Highlight kerning Ctrl + Alt + K Command + Option + K
Reset horizontalscale to 100% Ctrl + Shift + X Command + Shift + X
Increase or decrease type size Ctrl + Shift + > or < Command + Shift + > or <
Increase or decrease leading Alt + Up or Down Arrow
Ctrl + Shift + L, R, or C Command + Shift + L, R, or
C
(horizontal text) or
Right or Left Arrow
(vertical text)
Option + Up or Down
Arrow (horizontal text) or
Right or Left Arrow (vertical
text)
Reset tracking/kerning to 0 Ctrl + Alt + Q Command + Option + Q
Increase or decrease kerning and
tracking
Increase or decrease kerning and
tracking by five times
Alt + Right or Left
Arrow (horizontal text)
or Up or Down Arrow
(vertical text)
Ctrl + Alt + 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)
Shift Shift
Option + 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)
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
Switch between Area Type and
Path Type, Vertical Area Type and
Vertical Path Type tools
To change the increment value for type shortcuts, choose Edit > Preferences >Type (Windows)
or Illustrator > Preferences >Type (Mac OS). Enter the values you want in the Size/Leading, Baseline
Shift, and Tracking text boxes, and click OK.
Keys for using panels
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Set options (except for Actions, Brushes, Swatches, and
Symbols panels)
Delete without confirmation (except for Layers panel) Alt-click
Alt Option
Alt-click New
button
Delete
button
Option-click
New 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
Select noncontiguous actions, brushes, layers (same
level only), links, styles, or swatches
Show/Hide all panels Tab Tab
Show/Hide all panels except the Tools panel and Control
panel
Shift-click Shift-click
Ctrl-click Command-click
Shift + Tab Shift + Tab
Keys for the Actions panel
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Expand/Collapse entire
hierarchy for action set
Set options for action set Double-click folder icon Double-click folder icon
Play a single command Ctrl-click Play Current
Begin recording actions
without confirmation
Alt-click expansion
triangle
Option-click expansion
triangle
Selection button
Alt-click New Action
button
Command-click Play Current
Selection button
Option-click New Action
button
Keys for the Brushes panel
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Open Brush Options dialog
box
Duplicate brush Drag brush to New Brush
Double-click brush Double-click brush
button
Drag brush to New Brush
button
Keys for the Character and Paragraph panels
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not
displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Result Windows Mac OS
Increase/decrease the selected value by a
small increment
Increase/decreases the selected value by
a large increment
Highlight the font name field in the
Character panel
Up Arrow or Down
Arrow
Shift + Up Arrow or
Down Arrow
Ctrl + Alt + Shift + F Command + Option +
Up Arrow or Down
Arrow
Shift + Up Arrow or
Down Arrow
Shift + F
Keys for the Color panel
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Select the complement for the
current color fill/stroke
Change the nonactive fill/stroke Alt-click color bar Option-click color bar
Select the complement for the
nonactive fill/stroke
Select the inverse for the current
fill/stroke
Select the inverse for the
nonactive fill/stroke
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
Ctrl-click color bar Command-click color bar
Ctrl + Alt-click color bar Command + Option-click
Ctrl + Shift-click color bar Command + Shift-click
Ctrl + Shift + Alt-click
color bar
color bar
color bar
Command + Shift +
Option-click color bar
Double-click to right of a
numerical field
Double-click to right of a
numerical field
Keys for the Gradient panel
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Duplicate color stops Alt-drag Option-drag
Swap color stops Alt-drag color stop onto
Apply swatch color to active (or
selected) color stop
Reset the gradient fill to default
black and white linear gradient
Show/Hide gradient arrow Ctrl + Alt + G Command + Option + G
Modify angle and end-point
together
Constrain Gradient tool or
Gradient annotator while
dragging
View Gradient annotator in
selected gradient filled object
another stop
Alt-click swatch in the
Swatches panel
Ctrl-click Gradient Fill
box in the Gradient
panel
Option-drag color stop onto
another color stop
Option-click swatch in the
Swatches panel
Command-click Gradient Fill
box in the Gradient panel
Alt-drag end point of
gradient annotator
Shift-drag Shift-drag
Option-drag end point of
gradient annotator
G G
Keys for the Layers panel
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not
displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Select all objects on the layer Alt-click layer name Option-click layer name
Show/hide all layers but the
selected one
Select Outline/Preview view for
the selected layer
Selects Outline/Preview view for
all other layers
Lock/unlock all other layers Alt-click lock icon Option-click lock icon
Expand allsublayers to display
entire hierarchy
Set options as you create new
layer
Set options as you create new
sublayer
Place new sublayer at bottom of
layer list
Place layer at top of layer list Ctrl-click New Layer
Place layer below selected layer Ctrl + Alt-click New
Copy the selection to a layer,
sublayer, or group
Alt-click eye icon Option-click eye icon
Ctrl-click eye icon Command-click eye icon
Ctrl + Alt-click eye icon Command + Option-click eye
icon
Alt-click expansion
triangle
Alt-click New Layer
button
Alt-click New Sublayer
button
Ctrl + Alt-click New
Sublayer button
button
Layer button
Alt-drag selection Option-drag selection
Option-click expansion triangle
Option-click New Layer button
Option-click New Sublayer
button
Command + Option-click New
Sublayer button
Command-click New Layer
button
Command + Option-click New
Layer button
Keys for the Swatches panel
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not
displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Create new spot color Ctrl-click New Swatch
Create new global
process color
Replace swatch with
another
button
Ctrl + Shift-click New Swatch
button
Alt-drag a swatch over
another
Command-click New Swatch
button
Command + Shift-click New
Swatch button
Option-drag a swatch over
another
Keys for the Transform panel
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not
displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Apply a value and keep focus in edit field Shift +
Apply a value and copy object Alt +
Apply a value and scale option proportionately for width Ctrl + Command +
Enter
Enter
Shift + Return
Option + Return
or height Enter Return
Keys for the Transparency panel
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Change mask to grayscale
image for editing
Disable opacity mask Shift-click on mask thumbnail Shift-click on mask thumbnail
Re-enable opacity mask Shift-click on disabled mask Shift-click on disabled mask thumbnail
Increase/decrease opacity in 1% increments Click opacity field + Up Arrow or Down Arrow
Increase/decrease opacity in 10% increments Shift-click opacity field + Up Arrow or Down Arrow
Function keys
This is not a complete list of keyboard shortcuts. This table lists only those shortcuts that are not
displayed in menu commands or tool tips.
Invoke Help F1
Cut F2
Copy F3
Paste F4
Show/hide Brushes panel F5
Show/hide Color panel F6
Show/hide Layers panel F7
Create new symbol F8
Show/hide Info panel Ctrl + F8
Show/hide Gradient panel Ctrl + F9
Show/hide Stroke panel Ctrl + F10
Show/hide Attributes panel Ctrl + F11
Revert F12
Show/hide Graphic Styles panel Shift + F5
Show/hide Appearance panel Shift + F6
Show/hide Align panel Shift + F7
Show/hide Transform panel Shift + F8
Show/hide Pathfinder panel Shift + Ctrl + F9
Show/hide Transparency panel Shift + Ctrl + F10
Show/hide Symbols panel Shift + Ctrl + F11
Show/hide perspective grid Ctrl+Shift+I