Adobe Illustrator Cheat Sheet

Shortcuts for Windows (macOS: Ctrl → ⌘, Alt → ⌥).

56 entries
8 sections
Updated 1 Oct 2026

F

56 entries

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Tools #

Key	Tool
`V`	Selection
`A`	Direct Selection (anchor points)
`P`	Pen
`+` / `-`	Add / delete anchor point
`Shift + C`	Anchor Point (convert corners / curves)
`T`	Type
`M` / `L`	Rectangle / ellipse
`\`	Line segment
`B` / `Shift + B`	Paintbrush / blob brush
`N`	Pencil
`Shift + M`	Shape Builder
`R` / `O` / `S`	Rotate / reflect / scale
`E`	Free Transform
`I`	Eyedropper
`G`	Gradient
`W`	Blend
`Shift + O`	Artboard
`H` / `Space`	Hand
`Z`	Zoom

Fill & Stroke #

Shortcut	Action
`X`	Toggle fill / stroke focus
`Shift + X`	Swap fill and stroke colors
`D`	Default (white fill, black stroke)
`/`	None

Objects #

Shortcut	Action
`Ctrl + G` / `Ctrl + Shift + G`	Group / ungroup
`Ctrl + 2` / `Ctrl + Alt + 2`	Lock / unlock all
`Ctrl + 3` / `Ctrl + Alt + 3`	Hide / show all
`Ctrl + ]` / `Ctrl + [`	Bring forward / send backward
`Ctrl + Shift + ]` / `[`	Bring to front / send to back
`Ctrl + D`	Repeat the last transform
`Alt + drag`	Duplicate
`Shift + drag`	Constrain angle / proportions
`Ctrl + F` / `Ctrl + B`	Paste in front / in back
`Ctrl + Shift + V`	Paste in place

Paths #

Shortcut	Action
`Ctrl + J`	Join paths
`Ctrl + Alt + J`	Average anchor points
`Ctrl + 7` / `Ctrl + Alt + 7`	Make / release clipping mask
`Ctrl + 8`	Make compound path
`Ctrl + Shift + O`	Create outlines (text → shapes)
`Ctrl + Alt + B`	Make blend
`Ctrl + Shift + F9`	Pathfinder panel
`Shift + F7`	Align panel

Text #

Shortcut	Action
`Ctrl + Shift + >` / `<`	Font size up / down
`Alt + ←/→`	Kerning / tracking
`Ctrl + Shift + L` / `C` / `R`	Align left / center / right
`Ctrl + T`	Character panel

View #

Shortcut	Action
`Ctrl + 0`	Fit the artboard in the window
`Ctrl + Alt + 0`	Fit all artboards
`Ctrl + 1`	100%
`Ctrl + Y`	Outline mode (see all paths)
`Ctrl + R`	Rulers
`Ctrl + ;`	Guides
`Ctrl + U`	Smart Guides
`Ctrl + '`	Grid
`Tab`	Hide panels

Export #

Shortcut	Action
`Ctrl + Alt + E`	Export for Screens (SVG, PNG per artboard)
`Ctrl + Shift + S`	Save As (AI, PDF, SVG)

Tips #

Use Shape Builder (Shift + M) to merge shapes by dragging, or Alt + click to remove pieces.
Create outlines of text before sending files to a printer, and keep an editable copy.
Image Trace (Window → Image Trace) turns a logo image into vectors.