Whether you’re a graphic designer, digital artist, animator, or a long-time Illustrator user, you may be well aware of how inconvenient it can get to switch from one tool to another. To help you navigate Illustrator’s interface as quickly and smoothly as possible, we’ve come up with a list of 20 handy keyboard shortcuts that will boost your productivity. If you don’t see some of your own favorite keyboard shortcuts, feel free to share with us on the comments!

Viewing

1. Move artboard with Hand Tool 

Space + Drag 

Space + Drag

2. Turn Ruler on/off

Command + R

CTRL + R

3. Turn Smart Guide on/off

Command + U

CTRL + U

4. Make guides 

Command + 5 

CTRL + 5 

5. Zoom in/out 

Command + plus or minus sign (+/-)

CTRL + plus or minus sign (+/-)

Selecting

6. Switch to last-used Selection Tool 

Command

CTRL

7. Add to or subtract from selection

SHIFT + Click

SHIFT + Click

8. Move selection by 10 pts

SHIFT + Arrow key

SHIFT + Arrow key

Working with Layers and Shapes

9. Draw shape from the center out

OPTION + Drag

ALT + Drag

10. Copy and paste in front/back 

Command + C, Command + F/B

CTRL + C, CTRL + F/B

11. Bring to front/back

Command + [ or ] 

CTRL + [ or ]

12. Show/hide Pathfinder 

Command + SHIFT + F9

CTRL + SHIFT + F9

13. Group/ungroup

Command + G

Command + SHIFT + G

CTRL + G

CTRL + SHIFT + G

14. Lock/unlock

Command + 2

Command + OPTION + 2

CTRL + 2

CTRL + ALT +2

15. Move a shape while drawing it 

Space + Drag

Space + Drag

16. Quick copy

OPTION + Click & Drag

ALT + Click & Drag

17. Convert Anchor Point

SHIFT + C

SHIFT + C

Working with Colors and Text

18. Switch between Fill and Stroke

SHIFT + X

SHIFT + X

19. Align text to left, center, or right

Command + SHIFT + L/C/R

CTRL + SHIFT + L/C/R

Saving

20.  Save for web

Command + OPTION + SHIFT + S

CTRL + ALT + SHIFT + S

Want to learn more fun tricks? Check out DKNG’s class, Mastering Illustrator: 10 Tips and Tricks to Speed Up Your Workflow, Brad Woodard’s class on Illustrator that includes a hot-key cheat sheet, or Helen Bradley's 10 minute course on top tips!