IllustratorHotkey Cheatsheet

With Illustrator and generative AI, anyone can create logos, packaging designs, web graphics, and more.

A visual cheat-sheet for the 782 keyboard shortcuts found in Illustrator

Show Virtual Keyboard

Function keys

`F5`	Show/hide Brushes panel
`CtrlF11`	Show/hide Attributes panel
`ShiftF6`	Show/hide Appearance panel
`F3`	Copy
`CtrlF9`	Show/hide Gradient panel
`ShiftF5`	Show/hide Graphic Styles panel
`ShiftF7`	Show/hide Align panel
`ShiftCtrlF11`	Show/hide Symbols panel
`F2`	Cut
`ShiftF8`	Show/hide Transform panel
`CtrlF10`	Show/hide Stroke panel
`F12`	Revert
`ShiftCtrlF9`	Show/hide Pathfinder panel
`CtrlF8`	Show/hide Info panel
`F8`	Create new symbol
`F4`	Paste
`F1`	Invoke Help
`F7`	Show/hide Layers panel
`F6`	Show/hide Color panel
`ShiftCtrlF10`	Show/hide Transparency panel

Transparency panel

`Shift-click on mask thumbnail`	Disable opacity mask
`ShiftCtrlE`	Apply last effect to the selected object
`Shift-click opacity fieldup` `down`	Increase/decrease opacity in 10% increments
`Click opacity fieldup` `down`	Increase/decrease opacity in 1% increments
`Shift-click on disabled mask thumbnail`	Re-enable opacity mask
`Alt-click on mask thumbnail`	Change mask to grayscale image for editing
`AltShiftCtrl +E`	Apply last effect to the selected object by adjusting the values in the effects dialog box

Transform panel

`Ctrlenter`	Apply a value and scale option proportionately for width or height
`Altenter`	Apply a value and copy object
`Shiftenter`	Apply a value and keep focus in edit field

Swatches panel

`CtrlShift-click New Swatch button`	Create new global process color
`Alt-drag a swatch over another`	Replace swatch with another
`Ctrl-click New Swatch button`	Create new spot color

Layers panel

`CtrlAlt-click New Sublayer button`	Place new sublayer at bottom of layer list
`Alt-drag selection`	Copy the selection to a layer, sublayer, or group
`Alt-click New Sublayer button`	Set options as you create new sublayer
`Alt-click expansion triangle`	Expand all sublayers to display entire hierarchy
`Alt-click layer name`	Select all objects on the layer
`Ctrl-click New Layer button`	Place layer at top of layer list
`CtrlAlt-click eye icon`	Selects Outline/Preview view for all other layers
`Ctrl-click eye icon`	Select Outline/Preview view for the selected layer
`CtrlL`	Add a layer
`Alt-click lock icon`	Lock/unlock all other layers
`Alt-click New Layer button`	Set options as you create new layer
`AltCtrlL`	Add a layer while opening the New Layer dialog box
`Alt-click eye icon`	Show/hide all layers but the selected one
`CtrlAlt-click New Layer button`	Place layer below selected layer

Gradient panel

`Alt-drag end point of gradient annotat`	Modify angle and end-point together
`Shift-drag`	Constrain Gradient tool or Gradient annotator while dragging
`Ctrl-click Gradient Fill box in the Gradient panel`	Reset the gradient fill to default black and white linear gradient
`Alt-drag`	Duplicate color stops
`Alt-click swatch in the Swatches panel`	Apply swatch color to active (or selected) color stop
`Alt-drag col` `stop onto another stop`	Swap color stops
`G`	View Gradient annotator in selected gradient filled object
`CtrlAltG`	Show/Hide gradient arrow

Color panel

`CtrlShiftAlt-click col` `bar`	Select the inverse for the nonactive fill/stroke
`ShiftF3`	Open Color Guide
`Shift-click col` `bar`	Change the color mode
`Alt-click col` `bar`	Change the nonactive fill/stroke
`Double-click to right of a numerical field`	Switch between percentage and 0-255 values for RGB
`Ctrl-click col` `bar`	Select the complement for the current color fill/stroke
`Shift-drag col` `slider`	Move color sliders in tandem
`CtrlShift-click col` `bar`	Select the inverse for the current fill/stroke
`CtrlAlt-click col` `bar`	Select the complement for the nonactive fill/stroke

Character and Paragraph panels

`Ctrlup` `down`	Increase/decrease the selected value by a fraction
`Shiftup` `down`	Increase/decreases the selected value by a large increment
`CtrlT`	Open the Character panel
`CtrlAltShiftF`	Highlight the font name field in the Character panel
`up` `down`	Increase/decrease the selected value by a small increment
`AltCtrlT`	Open the Paragraph panel

Brushes panel

`Double-click brush`	Open Brush Options dialog box
`Drag brush to New Brush button`	Duplicate brush

Actions panel

`Ctrl-click Play Current Selection button`	Play a single command
`Double-click folder icon`	Set options for action set
`Alt-click expansion triangle`	Expand/Collapse entire hierarchy for action set
`Alt-click New Action button`	Begin recording actions without confirmation

Use panels

`Alt-click Delete button`	Delete without confirmation (except for Layers panel)
`Tab`	Show/Hide all panels
`Ctrl-click`	Select noncontiguous actions, brushes, layers (same level only), links, styles, or swatches
`ShiftTab`	Show/Hide all panels except the Tools panel and Control panel
`Ctrlup` `down`	Increase/ decrease values in logical fractions of the measurement unit
`Shiftup` `down`	Increase/ decrease measurement unit by 10x
`Shiftenter`	Apply value and keep text box active
`Alt-click New button`	Set options (except for Actions, Brushes, Swatches, and Symbols panels)
`AltShiftCtrlU`	Switch units of measurement
`Shift-click`	Select range of actions, brushes, layers, links, styles, or swatches

Work with type

`Alt8`	Insert bullets
`AltShiftCtrlC`	Toggle line composer
`ShiftCtrlU`	Underline
`Shift`	Switch between Type and Vertical Type, Area Type and Vertical Area Type, and Path Type and Vertical Path Type tools
`AltShift[`	Insert double right quotation marks
`Altright` `left (h` `izontal text)` `up` `down (vertical text)`	Increase or decrease kerning and tracking
`ShiftCtrlM`	Insert em space
`ShiftCtrlright Arrow` `left`	Select one word right or left
`ShiftCtrl-`	Insert discretionary hyphen
`Alt7`	Insert paragraph symbol
`CtrlAltK`	Highlight kerning
`Alt[`	Insert double left quotation marks
`Shiftenter`	Insert soft return
`Alt-`	Insert en dash
`ShiftCtrlF`	Justify all lines
`AltCtrlK`	Select tracking value
`AltShiftCtrlT`	Open the OpenType panel
`Alt6`	Insert section symbol
`CtrlShiftL, R,` `C`	Align paragraph left, right, or center
`ShiftCtrlI`	Italic
`AltCtrlI`	Show hidden characters
`Alt`	Switch between Area Type and Path Type, Vertical Area Type and Vertical Path Type tools
`ShiftCtrlT`	Open the Tabs panel
`CtrlAltright` `left (h` `izontal text)` `up` `down (vertical text)`	Increase or decrease kerning and tracking by five times
`AltShiftup` `down (h` `izontal text)` `right` `left (vertical text)`	Increase or decrease baseline shift
`AltR`	Insert registered trademark symbol
`CtrlShiftJ`	Justify text left
`AltCtrlT`	Open the Paragraph panel
`CtrlT`	Open the Character panel
`Alt]`	Insert single left quotation marks
`ShiftCtrlN`	Insert en space
`CtrlShift + .` `,`	Increase or decrease font size
`CtrlShiftX`	Reset horizontal scale to 100%
`up` `down`	Move up or down one line
`AltShiftCtrl=`	Subscript
`ShiftCtrlup` `down`	Select one paragraph before or after
`AltShiftCtrlM`	Insert thin space
`AltCtrlShift.` `,`	Increase or decrease font size by steps
`Alt2`	Insert trademark symbol
`ShiftCtrl=`	Superscript
`AltShift]`	Insert single right quotation marks
`ShiftCtrlB`	Bold
`Shift-click`	Extend existing selection
`AltG`	Insert copyright symbol
`Ctrlup` `down`	Move up or down one paragraph
`AltShift-`	Insert em dash
`AltShiftCtrlH`	Toggle auto-hyphenation
`Alt;`	Insert ellipsis
`ShiftCtrlO`	Create outlines
`right Arrow` `left`	Move one character right or left
`Ctrlright Arrow` `left`	Move one word right or left
`Altup` `down (h` `izontal text)` `right` `left (vertical text)`	Increase or decrease leading
`CtrlAltQ`	Reset tracking/kerning to 0

Create variable width points

`Esc`	Deselect a width point
`Alt+drag the width point`	Create a copy of the width point
`Shift+drag`	Change the position of multiple width points
`Alt+drag`	Create non-uniform widths
`Delete`	Delete selected width point
`Shift+click`	Select multiple width points

Work with objects

`AltShiftCtrlD`	Open the Transform Each dialog box
`]`	Increase Bristle brush size
`Alt-drag`	Duplicate and transform selection when using Selection tool, Scale tool, Reflect tool, or Shear tool
`X`	Toggle between fill and stroke
`>`	Select gradient fill mode
`AltCtrlG`	Hide gradient annotator (when using the Gradient tool)
`AltCtrlX`	Make Live Paint (when using the Paint Bucket tool)
`[`	Decrease Bristle brush size
`Ctrl-click gradient button in Tools panel` `Gradient panel`	Reset gradient to black and white
`AltShift-clickEyedropper tool`	Sample style and append appearance of currently selected item
`<`	Select color fill mode
`AltCtrl7`	Release a clipping mask
`ShiftEyedropper tool`	Sample color from an image or intermediate color from gradient
`/ (f` `ward slash)`	Select no stroke/fill mode
`ShiftX`	Swap fill and stroke
`ShiftCtrlM`	Move an object
`D`	Set fill and stroke to default
`Ctrl/ (f` `ward slash)`	Add new fill
`CtrlAlt/ (f` `ward slash)`	Add new stroke
`Tilde (~)-drag`	Transform pattern (independent of object) when using Selection tool, Scale tool, Reflect tool, or Shear tool
`CtrlD`	Reapply a transformation to an object
`Ctrl7`	Make a clipping mask
`Alt-click`	Set origin point and open dialog box when using Rotate tool, Scale tool, Reflect tool, or Shear tool
`Ctrl4`	Apply last pathfinder effect to the selected object

Work with Live Paint groups

`Alt-clickLive Paint Selection tool`	Switch to Eyedropper tool and sample fill and/or stroke
`AltShift-clickLive Paint Bucket tool`	Switch to Eyedropper tool and sample color from an image or intermediate color from a gradient
`Alt-clickLive Paint Bucket tool`	Switch to Eyedropper tool and sample fill and/or stroke
`Triple-clickLive Paint Bucket tool`	Fill all faces that have same fill and stroke all edges that have same stroke
`ShiftLive Paint Bucket tool`	Select opposite Live Paint Bucket tool options (if Paint Fills and Paint Strokes are currently selected, switch to Paint Fills only)
`Triple-clickLive Paint Selection tool`	Select all faces/edges with same fill/stroke
`Shift-clickLive Paint Selection tool`	Add to/subtract from a selection
`AltShift-clickLive Paint Selection tool`	Switch to Eyedropper tool and sample color from an image or intermediate color from a gradient
`Double-clickLive Paint Bucket tool`	Fill across unstroked edges into adjacent faces
`Double-clickLive Paint Selection tool`	Select all connected faces /edges with same fill/stroke

Edit shapes

`AltShift-clickEyedropper tool`	Sample style and append appearance of currently selected item
`]`	Increase Bristle brush size
`Ctrl-click gradient button in Tools panel` `Gradient panel`	Reset gradient to black and white
`>`	Select gradient fill mode
`<`	Select color fill mode
`X`	Toggle between fill and stroke
`/ (f` `ward slash)`	Select no stroke/fill mode
`ShiftX`	Swap fill and stroke
`Ctrl/ (f` `ward slash)`	Add new fill
`ShiftEyedropper tool`	Sample color from an image or intermediate color from gradient
`AltCtrlG`	Hide gradient annotator (when using the Gradient tool)
`CtrlAlt/ (f` `ward slash)`	Add new stroke
`D`	Set fill and stroke to default
`AltCtrlX`	Make Live Paint (when using the Paint Bucket tool)
`[`	Decrease Bristle brush size
`Alt`	Switch Pen tool to Convert Anchor Point tool
`Spacebar-drag`	Move current anchor point while drawing with Pen tool
`Shift{`	Decrease the intensity of symbols (when using Symbolism tool)
`Alt-drag`	Cut a straight line with Knife tool
`Altclick the closed region`	Erase unwanted closed regions created using Shape Builder tool
`ShiftAlt-drag`	Cut at 45° or 90° with Knife tool
`ShiftM`	Select the Shape Builder tool
`Shiftclickdrag`	Display rectangular marquee to easily merge multiple paths (when using Shape Builder tool)
`Alt (EnableAlt key toggles to Smooth ToolfromPencil Tool Options)`	Switch Pencil tool to Smooth tool
`Alt`	Switch between Add Anchor Point tool and Delete Anchor Point tool
`AltCtrlShiftW`	Distort objects using a warp-shaped envelope
`AltShiftCtrlB`	Finish adding objects to the blend
`Alt`	Switch Scissors tool to Add Anchor Point tool
`Shift}`	Increase the intensity of symbols (when using Symbolism tool)
`AltCtrlB`	Blend objects
`AltCtrlM`	Distort objects using a mesh as the shape of the envelope
`AltShape mode`	Use shape mode buttons in Pathfinder panel to create compound paths
`AltCtrlC`	Distort objects using another object as the shape of the envelope

Draw

`Start dragging, then hold down C`	Switch between an open and closed arc
`spacebar-drag`	Move a shape while drawing it
`[ (left square bracket)`	Decrease size of Blob Brush
`Use the Perspective Selection tool and then press 1 f` `left grid, 2 f` `h` `izontal grid, 3 f` `right grid,` `4 f` `no active grid`	Switching perspective planes
`] (right square bracket)`	Increase size of Blob Brush
`Select the paths, then press CtrlJ`	Join two or more paths
`Start dragging, then press the right Arrow` `left`	Add or remove vertical lines from a rectangular grid or radial lines from a polar grid
`Shift`	Constrain Blob Brush path horizontally or vertically
`ShiftD`	Switch through drawing modes
`Shift-drag`	Constrain a shape’s proportions or orientation to:equal height and width for rectangles, rounded rectangles, ellipses, and gridsIncrements of 45° for line and arc segmentsOriginal orientation for polygons, stars, and flares
`Ctrl8`	Create a compound path
`Start dragging then Ctrl-drag`	Change the decay rate of a spiral
`Press the number 5 key, then click and drag the object`	Moving objects perpendicularly
`ShiftV`	Perspective Selection Tool
`ShiftD`	Switching between drawing modes
`Select the paths, then press AltCtrlJ`	Average two or more paths
`Start dragging, then press C`	Increase the skew value for vertical dividers in a rectangular grid or concentric dividers in a polar grid by 10%
`Start dragging, then press V`	Increase the skew value for horizontal dividers in a rectangular grid or radial dividers in a polar grid by 10%
`Alt-drag`	Keep the sides of a star straight
`Start dragging, then hold down Ctrl`	Keep the inner radius of a star constant
`ShiftP`	Perspective Grid Tool
`Select the paths, then press ShiftCtrlAltJ`	Create corner or smooth join
`CtrlAltdrag`	Copying objects in perspective
`Start dragging, then hold down F`	Flip an arc, keeping the reference point constant
`Alt-drag`	Draw from the center of a shape (except for polygons, stars, and flares)
`AltShiftCtrl8`	Release a compound path
`Start dragging, then press X`	Decrease the skew value for vertical dividers in a rectangular grid or concentric dividers in a polar grid by 10%
`Start dragging, then press F`	Decrease the skew value for horizontal dividers in a rectangular grid or radial dividers in a polar grid by 10%
`CtrlD`	Repeat transforming objects in perspective
`Start dragging, then Alt-drag`	Add or subtract winds from a spiral while increasing the length of the spiral
`Start dragging, then press the up` `down`	Add or remove horizontal lines from a rectangular grid or concentric lines from a polar grid
`Start dragging, then press the up` `down`	Increase or decrease polygon sides, star points, arc angle, spiral winds, or flare rays
`CtrlShiftI`	Perspective Grid
`ShiftCtrlF8`	Edit a pattern

Work with selections

`Shift-click`	Subtract a selection with Selection tool, Direct Selection tool, Group Selection tool, or LIve Paint Selection tool
`ShiftCtrlG`	Ungroup the selected artwork
`Alt-drag`	Subtract from selection with Lasso tool
`CtrlG`	Group the selected artwork
`right Arrow, left, up,` `down`	Move selection in user-defined increments
`Hold down Shift`	Constrain movement to 45° angle (except when using Reflect tool)
`ShiftCtrl]`	Move a selection to the front
`Shift-drag`	Add to selection with Lasso tool
`Ctrl6`	Reselect
`Press E while dragging the marquee`	Select only the objects that are completely inside the marquee
`Press Ctrl+click twice`	Select behind an object
`AltCtrl2`	Unlock a selection
`ShiftCtrlA`	Deselect
`Ctrl]`	Bring a selection forward
`AltCtrl3`	Show all selections
`AltCO`	Create crop marks around selected object
`Ctrl+click twice`	Select behind in isolation mode
`AltCtrl]`	Select the object above the current selection
`Caps Lock`	Change pointer to cross hair for Lasso tool
`Alt-click`	Subtract from selection with Magic Wand tool
`CtrlA`	Select all
`Alt`	Switch between Direct Selection tool and Group Selection tool
`CtrlAltA`	Select artwork in active artboard
`Shift-click`	Add to a selection with Selection tool, Direct Selection tool, Group Selection tool, Live Paint Selection tool, or Magic Wand tool
`Ctrl3`	Hide a selection
`Ctrl[`	Send a selection backward
`ShiftCtrl[`	Move a selection to the back
`Ctrl``	Switch to last-used selection tool (Selection tool, Direct Selection tool, or Group Selection tool)
`Shiftright Arrow, left, up,` `down`	Move selection in 10x user-defined increments
`Ctrl2`	Lock a selection
`CtrlAltShift2`	Lock all deselected artwork
`AltCtrl[`	Select the object below the current selection

View artwork

`Esc`	Exit Full Screen mode
`ShiftCtrlD`	Show transparency grid
`CtrlAltShiftF6`	Navigate to previous document group
`Double-click Hand tool`	Fit imageable area in window
`Spacebar`	Move Zoom marquee while dragging with the Zoom tool
`ShiftCtrlB`	Hide bounding box
`CtrlAltSpacebar`	Switch to Zoom tool in reduce mode
`F`	Toggle between screen modes: Normal Screen Mode, Full Screen Mode with Menu Bar, Full Screen Mode
`CtrlSpacebar`	Switch to Zoom tool in magnify mode
`CtrlShift+V`	Paste in place on the active artboard
`CtrlShiftI`	Show/ hide perspective grid
`CtrlU`	Show/ hide smart guides
`AltCtrl;`	Lock guides
`CtrlShift-double-click guide`	Release guide
`Ctrlclick`	Select multiple artboards in the Artboards panel
`CtrlShiftF6`	Navigate to previous document
`Ctrl=`	Zoom in
`CtrlY`	Toggle between Outline and GPU Preview of the document
`AltShiftCtrlY`	View the document in Overprint Preview mode
`Esc`	Exit Artboard tool mode
`Ctrl-`	Zoom out
`CtrlE`	Toggle between GPU and CPU Preview of the document
`Alt-drag guide`	Convert between horizontal and vertical guide
`CtrlShiftH`	Show/Hide artboards
`CtrlAlt0 (zero)`	View all artboards in window
`CtrlF6`	Navigate to next document
`CtrlR`	Show/Hide artboard rulers
`AltCtrlY`	View the document in Pixel Preview mode
`CtrlH`	Show document template
`CtrlAltShift3`	Hide unselected artwork
`Ctrl;`	Hide guides
`Ctrl'`	Show grid
`ShiftCtrl'`	Snap to grid
`Spacebar`	Switch to Hand tool (when not in text-edit mode)
`Double-click Zoom tool` `press Ctrl1`	Magnify 100%
`AltCtrl'`	Snap to point
`AltCtrl5`	Release guides
`CtrlAltF6`	Navigate to next document group
`Ctrl5`	Make guides
`Shift-drag`	Create artboard inside another artboard

Select tools

`Z`	Zoom tool
`Shift+V`	Perspective Selection Tool
`Q`	Lasso tool
`ShiftC`	Switch to Anchor Point tool
`C`	Scissors tool
`ShiftO`	Artboard tool
`Shift+W`	Width Tool
`ShiftS`	Symbol Sprayer tool
`K`	Live Paint Bucket tool
`S`	Scale tool
`T`	Type tool
`R`	Rotate tool
`ShiftN`	Shaper tool
`ShiftR`	Warp tool
`- (minus)`	Delete Anchor Point tool
`ShiftK`	Slice tool
`Press Alt`	Switch to Smooth tool while using Blob Brush tool
`Shift~`	Curvature tool
`+ (plus)`	Add Anchor Point tool
`U`	Mesh tool
`ShiftT`	Touch Type tool
`P`	Pen tool
`N`	Pencil tool
`ShiftB`	Blob Brush tool
`Y`	Magic Wand tool
`B`	Paintbrush tool
`J`	Column Graph tool
`ShiftE`	Eraser tool
`M`	Rectangle tool
`L`	Ellipse tool
`E`	Free Transform tool
`Shift+P`	Perspective Grid Tool
`Shift+M`	Shape Builder Tool
`I`	Eyedropper tool
`V`	Selection tool
`H`	Hand tool
`W`	Blend tool
`A`	Direct Selection tool
`\ (backslash)`	Line Segment tool
`G`	Gradient tool
`O`	Reflect tool
`ShiftL`	Live Paint Selection tool

Work with documents

`CtrlW`	Close the document window
`ShiftCtrlP`	Place a file in the document
`CtrlQ`	Exit the application
`AltCtrlN`	Create a document without opening the New Document dialog box
`CtrlO`	Open a document
`ShiftCtrlN`	Create a document from a template
`ShiftCtrlS`	Open the Save As dialog box
`AltShiftCtrlS`	Open the Save For Web dialog box
`AltShiftCtrlI`	Open the File Information dialog box
`AltShiftCtrlP`	Package the document
`AltCtrlS`	Save a copy of the document
`CtrlP`	Print
`CtrlF12`	Save the document as script files
`AltCtrlO`	Browse in Adobe Bridge
`CtrlS`	Save changes made to the document
`AltCtrlE`	Open the Export for screens dialog box
`AltCtrlP`	Open the Document Setup dialog box
`CtrlN`	Create a document

Popular shortcuts

`CtrlB`	Paste at back
`CtrlV`	Paste
`ShiftCtrlZ`	Redo
`CtrlX`	Cut
`CtrlI`	Check spelling
`AltShiftCtrlK`	Open the Keyboard Shortcuts dialog box
`CtrlK`	Open the Preferences dialog box
`AltShiftCtrlV`	Paste on all artboards
`ShiftCtrlK`	Open the Color Settings dialog box
`CtrlF`	Paste in front
`CtrlC`	Copy
`ShiftCtrlV`	Paste in place
`CtrlZ`	Undo

IllustratorHotkey Cheatsheet

With Illustrator and generative AI, anyone can create logos, packaging designs, web graphics, and more.

Function keys

Transparency panel

Transform panel

Swatches panel

Layers panel

Gradient panel

Color panel

Character and Paragraph panels

Brushes panel

Actions panel

Use panels

Work with type

Create variable width points

Work with objects

Work with Live Paint groups

Edit shapes

Draw

Work with selections

View artwork

Select tools

Work with documents

Popular shortcuts

FAQ

What is Hotkey Cheatsheet?

How do I use Hotkey Cheatsheet?

Which software applications are covered?

Are the shortcuts updated regularly?

Can I request a new software to be added?

How accurate are the keyboard shortcuts?

Is there a mobile version of the site?

How can I contribute to Hotkey Cheatsheet?

What is the official website for Hotkey Cheatsheet?