By utilizing keyboard shortcuts in Adobe Illustrator, you can significantly improve your workflow and efficiency.
Here are some of the shortcuts I frequently use.
For Windows users, note that Option = Alt and Command = Control.
In the default settings, the shortcut keys assigned to Windows and Mac may differ.
Illustrator Keyboard Shortcuts
Basic
| Action | Shortcuts |
|---|---|
| Preferences | Command + K |
Zoom
| Action | Shortcuts |
|---|---|
| 100% Zoom | Command + 1 |
| Fit in Window | Command + 0 |
| Zoom In | Command + Space + Drag |
| Zoom Out | Option + Command + Space + Click |
| Zoom In | Shift + Command + “+” |
| Zoom Out | Command + “-“ |
Select Tools
| Action | Shortcuts |
|---|---|
| Rectangle tool | M |
| Reflect tool | O |
| Scale tool | S |
| Free Transform tool | E |
Objects
| Action | Shortcuts |
|---|---|
| Send to Back | Shift + Command + [ |
| Send Backward | Command + [ |
| Send Forward | Command + ] |
| Send to Front | Shift + Command + ] |
| Paste in Place | Shift + Command + V |
| Lock (Path/Object etc) | Command + 2 |
| Unlock All | Option + Command + 2 |
| Hide | Command + 3 |
| Show All | Option + Command + 3 |
Guides
| Action | Shortcuts |
|---|---|
| Create Guides | Command + 5 |
| Lock/Unlock Guides | Option + Command + : |
| Hide/Show Guides | Command + : |
Layers
| Action | Shortcuts |
|---|---|
| Create New Layer | Command + L |
| Create New Layer + Option Panel | Option + Click “New Layer button” |