For Windows PC and Mac - all the important keyboard shortcuts in Illustrator CC

Adobe Illustrator is undoubtedly an impressive illustration tool, but to get the most out of this program, it's crucial to master the use of keyboard shortcuts. Shortcuts are like the key to a smooth, efficient workflow. We'll show you useful shortcuts that will save you time and effort, whether you're illustrating, vectorizing images or arranging layout elements. In our overview of the shortcuts in Adobe Illustrator CC , we summarize the most important shortcuts for you.

15 frequently used shortcuts in Adobe Illustrator CC

Customize and reset keyboard shortcuts in Illustrator CC

In Adobe Illustrator, you can set your own custom keyboard shortcuts to optimize your workflow. We will guide you step by step through the process to achieve this.

Open the "Edit" menu:
Go to "Edit" in the top menu bar of Illustrator and select "Keyboard Shortcuts".

Customize keyboard shortcuts:
A window will pop up allowing you to customize the keyboard shortcuts. Now select the desired menu from the "Product area" drop-down list (e.g. "File", "Edit", etc.).

Select command:
Search for the command to which you want to assign a new shortcut. Then tap on this command to highlight it.

Add new keyboard shortcut:
Click on the "Keyboard shortcut" field and press the keys you want to use to execute this command.

Check and assign:
Make sure that your selected keyboard shortcut is not already assigned. Illustrator will warn you if this is the case. Then press "Assign" and then "Yes".

Save and apply:
Click on "OK" to save the new keyboard shortcuts. Your individual keyboard shortcuts are now ready for use.

Shortcuts for the Illustrator tools in the toolbar

Keyboard shortcuts for Illustrator functions in the File menu

The File menu in Illustrator CC allows you to perform various actions, such as creating new files, opening existing files and saving and exporting files you are currently working on.

Illustrator shortcuts for functions in the Edit menu

Illustrator's Edit menu provides you with numerous essential functions that allow you to make changes. The most frequently used functions probably include Undo, Copy and Paste, for which you probably know the keyboard shortcuts. However, it is also advisable to use the corresponding keyboard shortcuts for other actions such as search or pasting to the original position. This often speeds up the workflow considerably.

Shortcuts for the layout

Adobe Illustrator is a powerful tool for designing illustrations for print media and digital projects. To make the design process more efficient, Illustrator offers a variety of shortcuts that allow you to quickly activate tools and functions without having to constantly click on buttons or menus.

Shortcuts for text and typography

Working efficiently in Adobe Illustrator is made much easier by using keyboard shortcuts for text and typography. Shortcuts make it possible to apply text formatting quickly and easily.

Tips and tricks

To help you work even faster with Illustrator, here are 15 tips for you:

• Setting the value "Steps by keyboard" (arrow keys) is very easy without a mouse
  Ctrl+K to call up the default settings (configuration), then enter the numerical value directly and confirm with
  value directly and confirm with Return. Additional tip: Holding down the Shift key takes the step value
  the step value x10 is taken, e.g. 0.5mm + Shift = 5mm.
  
• You can access the options for a tool by double-clicking on the tool icon in the toolbar.
  icon in the toolbar.
  
• If you have selected a tool other than the selection tool (V), you can obtain the options for a tool by
  Ctrl/cmd key, you will get the selection tool temporarily and can use it as long as you hold down the key.
  as long as you hold down the key. When you release the key, you will automatically return to the
  back to the currently selected tool. If you have selected the selection tool, pressing the
  the direct selection tool by pressing the Ctrl key and the group selection tool by pressing Ctrl+Alt.
  tool.
  
• The lasso tool (Q) selects individual anchor points. Q+Shift = adds further anchor
  points; Q+Alt = removes anchor points.
  
• The group selection tool is available with A+Alt, but the key command is not displayed in the toolbar.
  toolbar.
  
• Press the P key to call up the pen tool. If you want to use the pen tool when drawing
  the pen tool while drawing an open path, switch to another tool or (!) press the
  tool or (!) press the "P" key again. Without any visible feedback, the tool will be
  tool is reactivated and you can start drawing another path.
  
• The drawing pen tool only becomes effective in combination with the Ctrl/cmd, Alt, Shift and Space keys.
  Shift and the space bar (Shift):
  P+Space = move an anchor point when setting ("hold in suspension")
  P+Alt = anchor tool
  P+Shift = the coordinates (X/Y) of the cursor position are displayed
  P+Ctrl = the direct selection tool appears
  P+Ctrl+Alt = the group selection tool appears
  
• For input fields, you can select the entire value in this field by clicking on the label in front of it.
  value in this field and only have to overwrite it. Users often mark
  the value from right to left with the mouse button held down, remove it and then type in the new value.
  the new value. Save yourself these steps! Manual marking also has the
  disadvantage that remnants of previously entered values are retained and you have to
  have to repeat the entry.
  
• If you press the tab key once, all active control fields are hidden.
  Click again to make them appear again. Tab+Shift hides all control panels
  except the toolbar. This allows you to make optimum use of limited monitor space (e.g. on a
  laptop).
  
• Mnemonic for the keyboard shortcuts: The origin of the selected keys/letters is often derived from the
  often derives from the English name or pronunciation of the tool - e.g.
  Z for zoom (instead of magnifying glass) or L for loop ("Lllllooop").
  
• The context menu (right mouse button) provides suitable commands depending on the tool and
  is often overlooked.
  
• In the Symbols, graphic styles, color fields/patterns or brushes control panel, you can replace existing
  elements by dragging a new object onto them with the Alt key pressed.
  The existing element is replaced in the control panel and in instances already applied on the
  the drawing area.
  
• Copying (Ctrl+C) and pasting (Ctrl+V) behave differently in many programs,
  as the pasted duplicate is positioned in the center of the Illustrator window. If you want
  want to insert the duplicate in exactly the same place, press Shift+V or Ctrl+F.
  
• A lock in the editing column locks the layer with the associated
  sub-layers. Click with the Alt key to lock all layers except the current one.
  A further click with the Alt key cancels the locking.
  
• For the export from Illustrator to Photoshop, a clean layer naming is
  is recommended because the layers will then also appear in Photoshop with the same names.
  in Photoshop.