Pc Keyboard Shortcuts For Mac

| 21-04-2021
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Photoshop keyboard shortcuts cheat sheet, a free spreadsheet download, plus a tutorial on how to create and modify your own keyboard shortcuts!

In part one of the series, I gave instructions on how to setup a custom workspace that suits your preferences and workflow style.

How Windows Keyboard Shortcuts Compare to Mac Shortcuts. Keyboard shortcuts are combinations of key presses that let you carry out a task without navigating through the menus. PCs have two kinds of keyboard shortcuts. For some, you hold down the Ctrl key and a letter key; for others, you press the Alt key and type one letter from each menu item. If you don't find a keyboard shortcut here that meets your needs, you can create a custom keyboard shortcut. For instructions, go to Create a custom keyboard shortcut for Office for Mac. Many of the shortcuts that use the Ctrl key on a Windows keyboard also work with the Control key in Word for Mac. However, not all do.

Now that you know how to work efficiently with customized workspaces, we will now look at a way to work efficiently with Photoshop keyboard shortcuts.

Photoshop’s Keyboard Shortcuts allows users the ability to quickly access tools, functions and effects without scrolling for them through menus, “more options” fly out panels and Tool Bar icons.

Some people consider mastery of Keyboard Shortcuts essential for professional imaging artists and believe that it’s mandatory to memorize and use them.

However, there are hundreds of them; a daunting task, plus most artists’ brains are visually oriented; they like to see and click on things and it’s perfectly acceptable to do so.

That being said, mastering Keyboard Shortcuts that are relevant to the style of work at hand speeds up workflow and eliminates the monotony of repetitive seeking and clicking.

In this article I am providing the ones most commonly used by photographers who use Photoshop to adjust and retouch their images.

I’m also confining the shortcuts to those that consist of 2-3 keys because I like to assign multiple key shortcuts to a Function key or as an option on my Wacom tablet.

To download all of the below shortcuts in a free spreadsheet, just click here.

Photoshop Keyboard Shortcuts

When going for Keyboard Shortcuts that access specific tools and panels, press the first key and quickly the other as if you were playing a piano.

When using them to affect the way a tool or function is working, hold the key while accomplishing the task.

For File Handling

CommandWindowsMacOpen a file from a folderCtrl + OCommand + OSave a file with a new name (Save As)Shift + Ctrl + SShift + Command + SSave a file with new updates (Save)Ctrl + SCommand + SClose a fileCtrl + WCommand + WClose a file and open BridgeShift + Ctrl + WShift + Command + WMake a new blank file / File NewCtrl + NCommand + N

For File Navigation

CommandWindowsMacFit image on screenCtrl + 0Command + 0Zoom inCtrl +Command +Zoom outCtrl –Command –View / Hide extrasCtrl + HCommand + HDrag image with Hand ToolSpacebar dragSpacebar dragFit image in windowDouble click Hand ToolDouble click Hand ToolRotate filePress and hold R and use stylus*Press and hold R and use stylus*Reset rotationPress and hold R and choose reset from Main Menu Bar*Press and hold R and choose reset from Main Menu Bar*Toggle screen modes forwardFFToggle screen modes reverseShift + FShift + F

* The Rotate Tool in the Tool Bar can be selected with Shift + R, but it requires another Keyboard Shortcut to get back to the Hand Tool, so pressing and holding the R key is generally faster.

For Image Adjustments

CommandWindowsMacImage / Adjust / LevelsCtrl + LCommand + LImage / Adjust / CurvesCtrl + MCommand + MImage / Adjust / Hue SaturationCtrl + UCommand + UImage / Adjust / Color balanceCtrl + BCommand + BImage / Invert (also with layers and masks)Ctrl + ICommand + IAccept image adjustmentEnterReturnCancel window without changeEscapeEscape

The above shortcuts apply the change to the selected layer as an all over adjustment.

To apply adjustments over the selected layer with the option to use Layer Masks, opacity, etc, select adjustment options from the Adjustment button located at the bottom of the Layers Window.

It looks like a circle, half white and half black.

Working With Layers

CommandWindowsMacNew Layer with window optionsShift + Ctrl + NShift + Command + NGroup layersCtrl + GCommand + GUngroup layersShift + Ctrl + GShift + Command + GMerge selected layer downCtrl + ECommand + ECreate / Remove Clipping MaskAlt + Ctrl + GOption + Command + GAdd Layer Mask – Reveal AllClick on Layer Mask button at the bottom of the Layers window. It looks like a square with a circle in the middle of it.Click on Layer Mask button at the bottom of the Layers window. It looks like a square with a circle in the middle of it.Add Layer Mask – Hide AllAlt + click on the Layer Mask button at the bottom of the Layers Window.Option + click on the Layer Mask button at the bottom of the Layers Window.Invert Layer MaskCtrl + ICommand + INew Layer via Copy from a selectionCtrl + JCommand + JNew Layer via Cut from a selectionShift + Ctrl + JShift + Command + JNudge what is on a layer by pixelsMove Tool – use arrows on keyboardMove Tool – use arrows on keyboardTransform what is on a layerCtrl + TCommand + TDistort Transformation BoxHold Ctrl and stretchHold Command and stretchRotate Transformation BoxDrag up and down outside the boxDrag up and down outside the boxAdjust size while constraining proportionHold Shift and use corner pointsHold Shift and use corner pointsChange rotation axis pointPc Keyboard Shortcuts For MacMove center point to the area you want to rotate aroundMove center point to the area you want to rotate aroundAccept TransformationEnterReturnCancel TransformationEscapeEscape

Working With Selections

CommandWindowsMacSelect AllCtrl + ACommand + ADeselectCtrl + DCommand + DReselectShift + Ctrl + DShift + Command + DSelect / InverseShift + Ctrl + IShift + Command + ISelect All LayersShift + Ctrl + AShift + Command + AConstrain Marquee to a squareHold down Shift and dragHold down Shift and dragConstrain Elliptical to a circleHold down Shift and dragHold down Shift and dragDraw Selection from the centerHold down Alt and dragHold down Option and dragConstrain and draw from centerHold down Shift and Alt and dragHold down Shift and Option and dragAdd to a selectionHold down Shift and add what you wantHold down Shift and add what you wantRemove part of a selectionHold down Alt and draw the part you wish to removeHold down Option and draw the part you wish to removeNudge selection by pixelsArrow Keys – up, down, right, leftArrow Keys – up, down, right, leftSelect Multiple Layers ContiguouslyHold down Shift + select the top and bottom onesHold down Shift + select the top and bottom onesSelect Multiple Layers non ContiguouslyHold Ctrl + click on each oneHold Command + click on each oneUse Lasso tool over large areaHold down Alt while drawingHold down Option while drawingCLICK HERE to download a spreadsheet of these Photoshop shortcuts. Includes info on how to set up a custom workspace in Photoshop.

Working With Brushes

CommandPc Keyboard Shortcuts For MacWindowsMacConstrain Brush Tool to a straight lineHold down Shift and click pointsHold down Shift and click pointsIncrease Brush SizeBracket key – right oneBracket key – right oneDecrease Brush SizeBracket key – left oneBracket key – left oneChoose Brush Opacity by %Number keys (1=10%, 2=20% etc)Number keys (1=10%, 2=20% etc)Undo the last thing doneCtrl + ZCommand + Z

The tools located in the Vertical Tool Bar may also be accessed using Keyboard Shortcuts, or by just clicking on the one you want visually.

Many of these tool boxes contain multiple options within that may be scrolled through just by repeatedly clicking the Keyboard Shortcut for that tool.

Photoshop Tool Shortcuts

CommandWindows/MacMove Tool BoxVMarquee Tool BoxMLasso Tool BoxLQuick Selection Tool BoxWShortcutsCrop and Slice Tool BoxCEyedropper Sampler Ruler Tool BoxIHealing Brush Tool BoxJBrush Tool BoxBClone Stamp Tool BoxSHistory Brush Tool BoxYEraser Tool BoxEGradient Fill Tool BoxGDodge Burn Tool BoxOPen Tool BoxPText Tool BoxTPath Selection Tool BoxAShapes Tool BoxUHand ToolHRotate ToolRDefault Color Box to black and whiteDExchange foreground and background colorsX

When you are learning to use Keyboard Shortcuts, take it easy! Don’t try to learn them all at once; master a few of them and then add a few more.

I’d suggest starting with easy navigation shortcuts, like:

  • Zoom In
  • Zoom Out
  • Fit on Screen
  • File Save
  • File Close
  • Toggle Screen Mode (I suggest working in Full Screen Mode with Menu Bar)

Then add:

  • Brush Opacity
  • Brush Size
  • New Layer
  • New Layer via Copy
  • Add Layer Mask
  • Edit / Transform
  • Add Adjustment Layer
Mac

From there, add more according to the tools and functions you use the most.

Create/Modify Your Own Custom Photoshop Shortcuts

If you want to modify an existing Photoshop shortcut or create custom Photoshop shortcuts for commands that have no default shortcut, follow the instructions below:

In Photoshop, go to Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts, or hit Alt + Shift + Ctrl + K (a shortcut to access the shortcut!)

Within the Keyboard Shortcuts window, choose a shortcut type from the “Shortcuts For:” drop down menu.

  • Application Menus: Customize keyboard shortcuts for items in the menu bar
  • Panel Menus: Customize keyboard shortcuts for items in panel menus
  • Tools: Customize keyboard shortcuts for tools in the toolbox

Once you find the command that you want to create/modify, click on the blue arrow to view the existing shortcuts.

To modify – click on an existing shortcut and you’ll be able to modify it with your own personalized shortcut.

Pc Keyboard Shortcuts For Mac Pdf

To create – click on the blank space next to a command and you’ll be able to create your own personalized shortcut.

If you want to undo a change, press the undo button, or Ctrl + Z.

Once you’re finished with customizing your own shortcuts, click on the OK button and it will save into the Photoshop Defaults set.

If you want to create your own set (not save into the Photoshop Defaults set), simply click on the save icon on the top and you’ll be able to name and save your personalized set.

These shortcuts + a bonus post on setting up a custom Photoshop workspace. Click here to download.

Closing Thoughts

Keyboard Shortcuts are designed to help you cut down on the time spent navigating the software so you can concentrate on the creative part of imaging.

Don’t feel like a dummy if you don’t know them all – the important part of digital imaging is the beautiful results you produce with your imagination and mastery of the tools and functions to create art.

Keyboard Shortcuts just help you get there a little faster!

Jane Conner-ziser is an award winning photographer, digital artist, premier educator and independent consultant. With over 25 years of experience, 19 of them in digital imaging and evolving technologies, the techniques Jane developed for facial retouching and enhancement and portrait painting from photographs are widely emulated by photographers and digital artists worldwide through her classes, online training and educational products. You can learn more on her website.

To use a keyboard shortcut, press and hold one or more modifier keys and then press the last key of the shortcut. For example, to use Command-C (copy), press and hold the Command key, then the C key, then release both keys. Mac menus and keyboards often use symbols for certain keys, including modifier keys:


On keyboards made for Windows PCs, use the Alt key instead of Option, and the Windows logo key instead of Command.

Some keys on some Apple keyboards have special symbols and functions, such as for display brightness , keyboard brightness , Mission Control, and more. If these functions aren't available on your keyboard, you might be able to reproduce some of them by creating your own keyboard shortcuts. To use these keys as F1, F2, F3, or other standard function keys, combine them with the Fn key.

Cut, copy, paste, and other common shortcuts

  • Command-X: Cut the selected item and copy it to the Clipboard.
  • Command-C: Copy the selected item to the Clipboard. This also works for files in the Finder.
  • Command-V: Paste the contents of the Clipboard into the current document or app. This also works for files in the Finder.
  • Command-Z: Undo the previous command. You can then press Shift-Command-Z to Redo, reversing the undo command. In some apps, you can undo and redo multiple commands.
  • Command-A: Select All items.
  • Command-F: Find items in a document or open a Find window.
  • Command-G: Find Again: Find the next occurrence of the item previously found. To find the previous occurrence, press Shift-Command-G.
  • Command-H: Hide the windows of the front app. To view the front app but hide all other apps, press Option-Command-H.
  • Command-M: Minimize the front window to the Dock. To minimize all windows of the front app, press Option-Command-M.
  • Command-O: Open the selected item, or open a dialog to select a file to open.
  • Command-P: Print the current document.
  • Command-S: Save the current document.
  • Command-T: Open a new tab.
  • Command-W: Close the front window. To close all windows of the app, press Option-Command-W.
  • Option-Command-Esc: Force quit an app.
  • Command–Space bar: Show or hide the Spotlight search field. To perform a Spotlight search from a Finder window, press Command–Option–Space bar. (If you use multiple input sources to type in different languages, these shortcuts change input sources instead of showing Spotlight. Learn how to change a conflicting keyboard shortcut.)
  • Control–Command–Space bar: Show the Character Viewer, from which you can choose emoji and other symbols.
  • Control-Command-F: Use the app in full screen, if supported by the app.
  • Space bar: Use Quick Look to preview the selected item.
  • Command-Tab: Switch to the next most recently used app among your open apps.
  • Shift-Command-5: In macOS Mojave or later, take a screenshot or make a screen recording. Or use Shift-Command-3 or Shift-Command-4 for screenshots. Learn more about screenshots.
  • Shift-Command-N: Create a new folder in the Finder.
  • Command-Comma (,): Open preferences for the front app.

Sleep, log out, and shut down shortcuts

You might need to press and hold some of these shortcuts for slightly longer than other shortcuts. This helps you to avoid using them unintentionally.

  • Power button: Press to turn on your Mac or wake it from sleep. Press and hold for 1.5 seconds to put your Mac to sleep.* Continue holding to force your Mac to turn off.
  • Option–Command–Power button* or Option–Command–Media Eject : Put your Mac to sleep.
  • Control–Shift–Power button* or Control–Shift–Media Eject : Put your displays to sleep.
  • Control–Power button* or Control–Media Eject : Display a dialog asking whether you want to restart, sleep, or shut down.
  • Control–Command–Power button:* Force your Mac to restart, without prompting to save any open and unsaved documents.
  • Control–Command–Media Eject : Quit all apps, then restart your Mac. If any open documents have unsaved changes, you will be asked whether you want to save them.
  • Control–Option–Command–Power button* or Control–Option–Command–Media Eject : Quit all apps, then shut down your Mac. If any open documents have unsaved changes, you will be asked whether you want to save them.
  • Control-Command-Q: Immediately lock your screen.
  • Shift-Command-Q: Log out of your macOS user account. You will be asked to confirm. To log out immediately without confirming, press Option-Shift-Command-Q.

* Does not apply to the Touch ID sensor.

Finder and system shortcuts

  • Command-D: Duplicate the selected files.
  • Command-E: Eject the selected disk or volume.
  • Command-F: Start a Spotlight search in the Finder window.
  • Command-I: Show the Get Info window for a selected file.
  • Command-R: (1) When an alias is selected in the Finder: show the original file for the selected alias. (2) In some apps, such as Calendar or Safari, refresh or reload the page. (3) In Software Update preferences, check for software updates again.
  • Shift-Command-C: Open the Computer window.
  • Shift-Command-D: Open the desktop folder.
  • Shift-Command-F: Open the Recents window, showing all of the files you viewed or changed recently.
  • Shift-Command-G: Open a Go to Folder window.
  • Shift-Command-H: Open the Home folder of the current macOS user account.
  • Shift-Command-I: Open iCloud Drive.
  • Shift-Command-K: Open the Network window.
  • Option-Command-L: Open the Downloads folder.
  • Shift-Command-N: Create a new folder.
  • Shift-Command-O: Open the Documents folder.
  • Shift-Command-P: Show or hide the Preview pane in Finder windows.
  • Shift-Command-R: Open the AirDrop window.
  • Shift-Command-T: Show or hide the tab bar in Finder windows.
  • Control-Shift-Command-T: Add selected Finder item to the Dock (OS X Mavericks or later)
  • Shift-Command-U: Open the Utilities folder.
  • Option-Command-D: Show or hide the Dock.
  • Control-Command-T: Add the selected item to the sidebar (OS X Mavericks or later).
  • Option-Command-P: Hide or show the path bar in Finder windows.
  • Option-Command-S: Hide or show the Sidebar in Finder windows.
  • Command–Slash (/): Hide or show the status bar in Finder windows.
  • Command-J: Show View Options.
  • Command-K: Open the Connect to Server window.
  • Control-Command-A: Make an alias of the selected item.
  • Command-N: Open a new Finder window.
  • Option-Command-N: Create a new Smart Folder.
  • Command-T: Show or hide the tab bar when a single tab is open in the current Finder window.
  • Option-Command-T: Show or hide the toolbar when a single tab is open in the current Finder window.
  • Option-Command-V: Move the files in the Clipboard from their original location to the current location.
  • Command-Y: Use Quick Look to preview the selected files.
  • Option-Command-Y: View a Quick Look slideshow of the selected files.
  • Command-1: View the items in the Finder window as icons.
  • Command-2: View the items in a Finder window as a list.
  • Command-3: View the items in a Finder window in columns.
  • Command-4: View the items in a Finder window in a gallery.
  • Command–Left Bracket ([): Go to the previous folder.
  • Command–Right Bracket (]): Go to the next folder.
  • Command–Up Arrow: Open the folder that contains the current folder.
  • Command–Control–Up Arrow: Open the folder that contains the current folder in a new window.
  • Command–Down Arrow: Open the selected item.
  • Right Arrow: Open the selected folder. This works only when in list view.
  • Left Arrow: Close the selected folder. This works only when in list view.
  • Command-Delete: Move the selected item to the Trash.
  • Shift-Command-Delete: Empty the Trash.
  • Option-Shift-Command-Delete: Empty the Trash without confirmation dialog.
  • Command–Brightness Down: Turn video mirroring on or off when your Mac is connected to more than one display.
  • Option–Brightness Up: Open Displays preferences. This works with either Brightness key.
  • Control–Brightness Up or Control–Brightness Down: Change the brightness of your external display, if supported by your display.
  • Option–Shift–Brightness Up or Option–Shift–Brightness Down: Adjust the display brightness in smaller steps. Add the Control key to this shortcut to make the adjustment on your external display, if supported by your display.
  • Option–Mission Control: Open Mission Control preferences.
  • Command–Mission Control: Show the desktop.
  • Control–Down Arrow: Show all windows of the front app.
  • Option–Volume Up: Open Sound preferences. This works with any of the volume keys.
  • Option–Shift–Volume Up or Option–Shift–Volume Down: Adjust the sound volume in smaller steps.
  • Option–Keyboard Brightness Up: Open Keyboard preferences. This works with either Keyboard Brightness key.
  • Option–Shift–Keyboard Brightness Up or Option–Shift–Keyboard Brightness Down: Adjust the keyboard brightness in smaller steps.
  • Option key while double-clicking: Open the item in a separate window, then close the original window.
  • Command key while double-clicking: Open a folder in a separate tab or window.
  • Command key while dragging to another volume: Move the dragged item to the other volume, instead of copying it.
  • Option key while dragging: Copy the dragged item. The pointer changes while you drag the item.
  • Option-Command while dragging: Make an alias of the dragged item. The pointer changes while you drag the item.
  • Option-click a disclosure triangle: Open all folders within the selected folder. This works only when in list view.
  • Command-click a window title: See the folders that contain the current folder.
  • Learn how to use Command or Shift to select multiple items in the Finder.
  • Click the Go menu in the Finder menu bar to see shortcuts for opening many commonly used folders, such as Applications, Documents, Downloads, Utilities, and iCloud Drive.

Document shortcuts

The behavior of these shortcuts may vary with the app you're using.

  • Command-B: Boldface the selected text, or turn boldfacing on or off.
  • Command-I: Italicize the selected text, or turn italics on or off.
  • Command-K: Add a web link.
  • Command-U: Underline the selected text, or turn underlining on or off.
  • Command-T: Show or hide the Fonts window.
  • Command-D: Select the Desktop folder from within an Open dialog or Save dialog.
  • Control-Command-D: Show or hide the definition of the selected word.
  • Shift-Command-Colon (:): Display the Spelling and Grammar window.
  • Command-Semicolon (;): Find misspelled words in the document.
  • Option-Delete: Delete the word to the left of the insertion point.
  • Control-H: Delete the character to the left of the insertion point. Or use Delete.
  • Control-D: Delete the character to the right of the insertion point. Or use Fn-Delete.
  • Fn-Delete: Forward delete on keyboards that don't have a Forward Delete key. Or use Control-D.
  • Control-K: Delete the text between the insertion point and the end of the line or paragraph.
  • Fn–Up Arrow: Page Up: Scroll up one page.
  • Fn–Down Arrow: Page Down: Scroll down one page.
  • Fn–Left Arrow: Home: Scroll to the beginning of a document.
  • Fn–Right Arrow: End: Scroll to the end of a document.
  • Command–Up Arrow: Move the insertion point to the beginning of the document.
  • Command–Down Arrow: Move the insertion point to the end of the document.
  • Command–Left Arrow: Move the insertion point to the beginning of the current line.
  • Command–Right Arrow: Move the insertion point to the end of the current line.
  • Option–Left Arrow: Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word.
  • Option–Right Arrow: Move the insertion point to the end of the next word.
  • Shift–Command–Up Arrow: Select the text between the insertion point and the beginning of the document.
  • Shift–Command–Down Arrow: Select the text between the insertion point and the end of the document.
  • Shift–Command–Left Arrow: Select the text between the insertion point and the beginning of the current line.
  • Shift–Command–Right Arrow: Select the text between the insertion point and the end of the current line.
  • Shift–Up Arrow: Extend text selection to the nearest character at the same horizontal location on the line above.
  • Shift–Down Arrow: Extend text selection to the nearest character at the same horizontal location on the line below.
  • Shift–Left Arrow: Extend text selection one character to the left.
  • Shift–Right Arrow: Extend text selection one character to the right.
  • Option–Shift–Up Arrow: Extend text selection to the beginning of the current paragraph, then to the beginning of the following paragraph if pressed again.
  • Option–Shift–Down Arrow: Extend text selection to the end of the current paragraph, then to the end of the following paragraph if pressed again.
  • Option–Shift–Left Arrow: Extend text selection to the beginning of the current word, then to the beginning of the following word if pressed again.
  • Option–Shift–Right Arrow: Extend text selection to the end of the current word, then to the end of the following word if pressed again.
  • Control-A: Move to the beginning of the line or paragraph.
  • Control-E: Move to the end of a line or paragraph.
  • Control-F: Move one character forward.
  • Control-B: Move one character backward.
  • Control-L: Center the cursor or selection in the visible area.
  • Control-P: Move up one line.
  • Control-N: Move down one line.
  • Control-O: Insert a new line after the insertion point.
  • Control-T: Swap the character behind the insertion point with the character in front of the insertion point.
  • Command–Left Curly Bracket ({): Left align.
  • Command–Right Curly Bracket (}): Right align.
  • Shift–Command–Vertical bar (|): Center align.
  • Option-Command-F: Go to the search field.
  • Option-Command-T: Show or hide a toolbar in the app.
  • Option-Command-C: Copy Style: Copy the formatting settings of the selected item to the Clipboard.
  • Option-Command-V: Paste Style: Apply the copied style to the selected item.
  • Option-Shift-Command-V: Paste and Match Style: Apply the style of the surrounding content to the item pasted within that content.
  • Option-Command-I: Show or hide the inspector window.
  • Shift-Command-P: Page setup: Display a window for selecting document settings.
  • Shift-Command-S: Display the Save As dialog, or duplicate the current document.
  • Shift–Command–Minus sign (-): Decrease the size of the selected item.
  • Shift–Command–Plus sign (+): Increase the size of the selected item. Command–Equal sign (=) performs the same function.
  • Shift–Command–Question mark (?): Open the Help menu.

Pc Keyboard Shortcuts For Mac And Windows

Other shortcuts

For more shortcuts, check the shortcut abbreviations shown in the menus of your apps. Every app can have its own shortcuts, and shortcuts that work in one app might not work in another.

  • Apple Music shortcuts: Choose Help > Keyboard shortcuts from the menu bar in the Music app.
  • Other shortcuts: Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Keyboard, then click Shortcuts.

Pc Keyboard Shortcuts For Mac

Learn more

  • Create your own shortcuts and resolve conflicts between shortcuts
  • Change the behavior of the function keys or modifier keys