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Illustrator

Illustrator

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  1. Illustrator User Guide
  2. Get to know Illustrator
    1. Introduction to Illustrator
      1. What's new in Illustrator
      2. Common questions
      3. Illustrator system requirements
      4. Illustrator for Apple silicon
      5. GPU performance
    2. Workspace
      1. Workspace basics
      2. Create documents
      3. Learn faster with the Illustrator Discover panel
      4. Accelerate workflows using the Contextual Task Bar
      5. Toolbar
      6. Default keyboard shortcuts
      7. Customize keyboard shortcuts
      8. Introduction to artboards
      9. Manage artboards
      10. Customize the workspace
      11. Properties panel
      12. Set preferences
      13. Touch Workspace
      14. Microsoft Surface Dial support in Illustrator
      15. Undo edits and manage design history
      16. Rotate view
      17. Rulers, grids, and guides
      18. Accessibility in Illustrator
      19. View artwork
      20. Use the Touch Bar with Illustrator
      21. Files and templates
    3. Tools in Illustrator
      1. Tools at a glance
      2. Select tools
        1. Selection
        2. Direct Selection
        3. Group Selection
        4. Magic Wand
        5. Lasso
        6. Artboard
      3. Navigate tools
        1. Hand
        2. Rotate View
        3. Zoom
      4. Paint tools
        1. Gradient
        2. Mesh
        3. Shape Builder
      5. Text tools
        1. Type
        2. Type on a Path
        3. Vertical Type
      6. Draw tools
        1. Pen
        2. Add Anchor Point
        3. Delete Anchor Point
        4. Anchor Point
        5. Curvature
        6. Line Segment
        7. Rectangle
        8. Rounded Rectangle
        9. Ellipse
        10. Polygon
        11. Star
        12. Paintbrush
        13. Blob Brush
        14. Pencil
        15. Shaper
        16. Slice
      7. Modify tools
        1. Rotate
        2. Reflect
        3. Scale
        4. Shear
        5. Width
        6. Free Transform
        7. Eyedropper
        8. Blend
        9. Eraser
        10. Scissors
        11. Dimension
    4. Generative AI (not available in mainland China)
      1. Generate scenes, subjects, and icons using text prompts
      2. Generate vector patterns using text prompts
      3. Generate vector shape fills using text prompts
      4. Recolor your artwork using text prompts
    5. Quick actions
      1. Retro text
      2. Neon glow text
      3. Old school text
      4. Recolor
      5. Convert sketch to vector
  3. Illustrator on the web (beta)
    1. Illustrator on the web (beta) overview
    2. Illustrator on the web (beta) FAQ
    3. Troubleshooting issues FAQ
    4. Keyboard shortcuts for Illustrator on the web (beta)
    5. Create and combine shapes on the web
    6. Add and edit text on the web
    7. Apply colors and gradients on the web
    8. Draw and edit paths on the web
    9. Work with cloud documents on the web
    10. Invite collaborators to edit on the web
  4. Illustrator on the iPad
    1. Introduction to Illustrator on the iPad
      1. Illustrator on the iPad overview
      2. Illustrator on the iPad FAQs
      3. System requirements | Illustrator on the iPad
      4. What you can or cannot do on Illustrator on the iPad
    2. Workspace
      1. Illustrator on the iPad workspace
      2. Touch shortcuts and gestures
      3. Keyboard shortcuts for Illustrator on the iPad
      4. Manage your app settings
    3. Documents
      1. Work with documents in Illustrator on the iPad
      2. Import Photoshop and Fresco documents
    4. Select and arrange objects
      1. Create repeat objects
      2. Blend objects
    5. Drawing
      1. Draw and edit paths
      2. Draw and edit shapes
    6. Type
      1. Work with type and fonts
      2. Create text designs along a path
      3. Add your own fonts
    7. Work with images
      1. Vectorize raster images
    8. Color
      1. Apply colors and gradients
  5. Cloud documents
    1. Basics
      1. Work with Illustrator cloud documents
      2. Share and collaborate on Illustrator cloud documents
      3. Share documents for review
      4. Upgrade cloud storage for Adobe Illustrator
      5. Illustrator cloud documents | Common questions
    2. Troubleshooting
      1. Troubleshoot create or save issues for Illustrator cloud documents
      2. Troubleshoot Illustrator cloud documents issues
  6. Add and edit content
    1. Drawing
      1. Drawing basics
      2. Edit paths
      3. Draw pixel-perfect art
      4. Draw with the Pen, Curvature, or Pencil tool
      5. Draw simple lines and shapes
      6. Draw rectangular and polar grids
      7. Draw and edit flares
      8. Trace images
      9. Simplify a path
      10. Symbolism tools and symbol sets
      11. Adjust path segments
      12. Design a flower in 5 easy steps
      13. Create and edit a perspective grid
      14. Draw and modify objects on a perspective grid
      15. Use objects as symbols for repeat use
      16. Draw pixel-aligned paths for web workflows
    2. Measurement
      1. Measure and plot dimensions
    3. 3D objects and materials
      1. About 3D effects in Illustrator
      2. Create 3D graphics
      3. Map artwork over 3D objects
      4. Create 3D Text
      5. Create 3D objects
    4. Color
      1. About color
      2. Select colors
      3. Use and create swatches
      4. Adjust colors
      5. Use the Adobe Color Themes panel
      6. Color groups (harmonies)
      7. Color Themes panel
      8. Recolor your artwork
    5. Painting
      1. About painting
      2. Paint with fills and strokes
      3. Live Paint groups
      4. Gradients
      5. Brushes
      6. Transparency and blending modes
      7. Apply stroke on an object
      8. Create and edit patterns
      9. Meshes
      10. Patterns
    6. Select and arrange objects
      1. Select objects
      2. Layers
      3. Expand, group, and ungroup objects
      4. Move, align, and distribute objects
      5. Align, arrange, and move objects on a path
      6. Snap objects to glyph
      7. Snap objects to Japanese glyph
      8. Stack objects    
      9. Lock, hide, and delete objects
      10. Copy and duplicate objects
      11. Rotate and reflect objects
      12. Intertwine objects
      13. Create realistic art mockups
    7. Reshape objects
      1. Crop images
      2. Transform objects
      3. Combine objects
      4. Cut, divide, and trim objects
      5. Puppet Warp
      6. Scale, shear, and distort objects
      7. Blend objects
      8. Reshape using envelopes
      9. Reshape objects with effects
      10. Build new shapes with Shaper and Shape Builder tools
      11. Work with Live Corners
      12. Enhanced reshape workflows with touch support
      13. Edit clipping masks
      14. Live shapes
      15. Create shapes using the Shape Builder tool
      16. Global editing
    8. Type
      1. Add text and work with type objects
      2. Reflow Viewer
      3. Create bulleted and numbered lists
      4. Manage text area
      5. Fonts and typography
      6. Convert text within images into editable text
      7. Add basic formatting to text
      8. Add advanced formatting to text
      9. Import and export text
      10. Format paragraphs
      11. Special characters
      12. Create type on a path
      13. Character and paragraph styles
      14. Tabs
      15. Find missing fonts (Typekit workflow)
      16. Arabic and Hebrew type
      17. Fonts | FAQ and troubleshooting tips
      18. Creative typography designs
      19. Scale and rotate type
      20. Line and character spacing
      21. Hyphenation and line breaks
      22. Spelling and language dictionaries
      23. Format Asian characters
      24. Composers for Asian scripts
      25. Create text designs with blend objects
      26. Create a text poster using Image Trace
    9. Create special effects
      1. Work with effects
      2. Graphic styles
      3. Appearance attributes
      4. Create sketches and mosaics
      5. Drop shadows, glows, and feathering
      6. Summary of effects
    10. Web graphics
      1. Best practices for creating web graphics
      2. Graphs
      3. SVG
      4. Slices and image maps
  7. Import, export, and save
    1. Import
      1. Place multiple files
      2. Manage linked and embedded files
      3. Links information
      4. Unembed images
      5. Import artwork from Photoshop
      6. Import bitmap images
      7. Import Adobe PDF files
      8. Import EPS, DCS, and AutoCAD files
    2. Creative Cloud Libraries in Illustrator 
      1. Creative Cloud Libraries in Illustrator
    3. Save and export
      1. Save artwork
      2. Export artwork
      3. Create Adobe PDF files
      4. Adobe PDF options
      5. Use Illustrator artwork in Photoshop
      6. Collect assets and export in batches
      7. Package files
      8. Extract CSS | Illustrator CC
      9. Document info panel
  8. Printing
    1. Prepare for printing
      1. Set up documents for printing
      2. Change the page size and orientation
      3. Specify crop marks for trimming or aligning
      4. Get started with large canvas
    2. Printing
      1. Overprint
      2. Print with color management
      3. PostScript printing
      4. Print presets
      5. Printer's marks and bleeds
      6. Print and save transparent artwork
      7. Trapping
      8. Print color separations
      9. Print gradients, meshes, and color blends
      10. White Overprint
  9. Automate tasks
    1. Data merge using the Variables panel
    2. Automation with scripts
    3. Automation with actions
  10. Troubleshooting 
    1. Fixed issues
    2. Known issues
    3. Crash issues
    4. Recover files after crash
    5. Safe mode
    6. File issues
    7. Supported file formats
    8. GPU device driver issues
    9. Wacom device issues
    10. DLL file issues
    11. Memory issues
    12. Preferences file issues
    13. Font issues
    14. Printer issues
    15. Share crash report with Adobe
    16. Improve Illustrator performance

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.

Adobe Illustrator deeplink

Find help in the app
Follow along to view keyboard shortcuts in one simple step.

Open Illustrator
Note:
  • 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.

 

macOS

 

Windows

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
Print 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
Note:

Set keyboard increments in General Preferences (Ctrl/ Cmd + K).

Draw

Shortcuts

Windows

macOS

Constrain a shape’s proportions or orientation to:

  • equal height and width for rectangles, rounded rectangles, ellipses, and grids

  • Increments of 45° for line and arc segments

  • Original orientation for polygons, stars, and flares

 

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
Note:

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

Shortcuts

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 as a text document:

  1. Select Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts.

  2. Select the customized set of shortcuts from the Set dropdown if you have customized them.

  3. Select Export Text.

  4. Navigate to the desired location to save the text file.

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