# PlexiiDraw keyboard shortcuts

> PlexiiDraw uses Illustrator's default keys. See the keys that moved, every tool and command key, and how to change keys in the Keyboard shortcuts dialog.

Source: https://plexiidesk.com/help/draw-keyboard-shortcuts
Section: Office > PlexiiDraw
Plans: All plans
Updated: 2026-10-21

PlexiiDraw's keyboard shortcuts follow Adobe Illustrator's default keys, so if you already know Illustrator, the same keys pick the same tools and run the same commands. You can see every key in the **Keyboard shortcuts** dialog, search it, and change any key you like.

## Before you start

- Keyboard shortcuts are on every plan.
- Open an artwork. See [Start an artwork and set up the artboard](https://plexiidesk.com/help/draw-start-artwork).
- **Mac and Windows.** This page writes the Mac keys. On Windows, press `Ctrl` for `⌘` and `Alt` for `⌥`. `⇧` is the Shift key.
- Keys do nothing while you are typing in a box or editing text on the artboard.

## The keys that moved

The first time you open PlexiiDraw with the Illustrator keys, a notice called **PlexiiDraw now uses Illustrator's shortcuts** lists the keys that changed. Click **See all shortcuts** to open the **Keyboard shortcuts** dialog, or click **×** to dismiss it. Once dismissed, the notice does not come back.

| Tool or command | Key before | Key now |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Rectangle** | `R` | `M`. `R` is now the **Rotate** tool. |
| **Ellipse** | `O` | `L`. `O` is now the **Reflect** tool. |
| **Line** | `L` | `\\` |
| **Eraser** | `E` | `⇧` `E`. `E` is now the **Free Transform** tool. |
| **Paint bucket** | `G` | `K` |
| **Rounded rectangle** | `D` | No key. Pick it in the toolbox. |
| **Polygon** | `U` | No key. Pick it in the toolbox. |
| **Star** | `S` | No key. Pick it in the toolbox. `S` is now the **Scale** tool. |
| **Duplicate** | `⌘` `D` | No key. Use **Edit** > **Duplicate**. `⌘` `D` is now **Transform Again**. |
| **Redo** | `⌘` `Y` | `⇧` `⌘` `Z`, which already worked before. |

## Tool keys

Press a key to switch to that tool. Rest the pointer on a tool in the toolbox to see its name and key.

| Tool | Key | Tool | Key |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Select** | `V` | **Type** | `T` |
| **Direct Selection** | `A` | **Rotate** | `R` |
| **Group selection** | No key | **Reflect** | `O` |
| **Pen** | `P` | **Scale** | `S` |
| **Curvature** | `⇧` `~` | **Free Transform** | `E` |
| **Add Anchor Point** | `+` | **Scissors** | `C` |
| **Delete Anchor Point** | `-` | **Knife** | No key |
| **Anchor Point** | `⇧` `C` | **Brush** | `B` |
| **Pencil** | `N` | **Eraser** | `⇧` `E` |
| **Rectangle** | `M` | **Paint bucket** | `K` |
| **Ellipse** | `L` | **Eyedropper** | `I` |
| **Line** | `\\` | **Pan** | `H` |
| **Rounded rectangle**, **Polygon**, **Star** | No key | | |

## Command keys

| To do this | On a Mac | On Windows |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Open the **Keyboard shortcuts** dialog | `⌥` `⇧` `⌘` `K` | `Ctrl` `Alt` `Shift` `K` |
| Open an SVG as a new drawing | `⌘` `O` | `Ctrl` `O` |
| Undo | `⌘` `Z` | `Ctrl` `Z` |
| Redo | `⇧` `⌘` `Z` | `Ctrl` `Shift` `Z` |
| Cut, copy, paste | `⌘` `X`, `⌘` `C`, `⌘` `V`, or `F2`, `F3`, `F4` | `Ctrl` `X`, `Ctrl` `C`, `Ctrl` `V`, or `F2`, `F3`, `F4` |
| Paste in front, paste in back | `⌘` `F`, `⌘` `B` | `Ctrl` `F`, `Ctrl` `B` |
| Paste in place | `⇧` `⌘` `V` | `Ctrl` `Shift` `V` |
| Paste on all artboards | `⌥` `⇧` `⌘` `V` | `Ctrl` `Alt` `Shift` `V` |
| Select all | `⌘` `A` | `Ctrl` `A` |
| Transform Again | `⌘` `D` | `Ctrl` `D` |
| **Move…** dialog | `⇧` `⌘` `M` | `Ctrl` `Shift` `M` |
| **Transform Each…** dialog | `⌥` `⇧` `⌘` `D` | `Ctrl` `Alt` `Shift` `D` |
| Join | `⌘` `J` | `Ctrl` `J` |
| **Average…** dialog | `⌥` `⌘` `J` | `Ctrl` `Alt` `J` |
| Average and join in one step | `⌥` `⇧` `⌘` `J` | `Ctrl` `Alt` `Shift` `J` |
| Group, ungroup | `⌘` `G`, `⇧` `⌘` `G` | `Ctrl` `G`, `Ctrl` `Shift` `G` |
| Make, release a clipping mask | `⌘` `7`, `⌥` `⌘` `7` | `Ctrl` `7`, `Ctrl` `Alt` `7` |
| Make, release a compound path | `⌘` `8`, `⌥` `⇧` `⌘` `8` | `Ctrl` `8`, `Ctrl` `Alt` `Shift` `8` |
| Lock the selection, unlock all | `⌘` `2`, `⌥` `⌘` `2` | `Ctrl` `2`, `Ctrl` `Alt` `2` |
| Hide the selection, show all | `⌘` `3`, `⌥` `⌘` `3` | `Ctrl` `3`, `Ctrl` `Alt` `3` |
| Nudge the selection | Arrow keys | Arrow keys |
| Nudge a copy across | `⌥` and an arrow key | `Alt` and an arrow key |
| Smaller or larger brush | `[` and `]` | `[` and `]` |
| Finish a path, leave isolation mode or clear the selection | `Esc` | `Esc` |

## Find a shortcut

1. Press `⌥` `⇧` `⌘` `K`, or choose **Edit** > **Keyboard shortcuts…**. The **Keyboard shortcuts** dialog opens.
2. Click **Tools** or **Menu commands** to see that list.
3. To find one quickly, type in **Search by name or key**. You can type a name, such as "Rectangle", or a key, such as "⌘D". A search looks through both lists. Searching "⌘D" shows only **Transform Again**.

## Change a key

1. In the **Keyboard shortcuts** dialog, find the tool or command.
2. Click the pencil button at the end of its row, **Change the key for** the tool or command.
3. Press the new key, with any modifier keys. To stop without a change, press `Esc`.

The new key works as soon as you close the dialog. For example, change **Rectangle** to `G`, close the dialog and press `G`: the **Rectangle** tool is selected.

- **A key that is taken is refused.** If another tool or command already uses the key, the dialog says so, such as "already used by the Select tool", and keeps the old key. To use that key, change or remove the other one first.
- **Illustrator's keys for other features.** If Illustrator uses the key for something PlexiiDraw does not have, the key is saved, with a note saying what Illustrator uses it for. `G`, for example, is Illustrator's key for its Gradient tool.
- **Tool keys are one key.** A tool's key is a single key, or `⇧` with a key, as in Illustrator.
- **Remove a key.** The **Remove the key from** button takes the key off a row, so it has none.
- **Undo one change.** A row you changed has a reset button that puts back Illustrator's key.

Your keys are kept for your profile only. They do not change anyone else's keys.

## Reset all keys

Once you have changed a key, the top of the dialog reads **Set: Illustrator defaults, changed**. Click **Reset all to Illustrator defaults** to put every key back. **Rectangle**, for example, is back on `M`.

## Tooltips and tool options

- **Tooltips.** Rest the pointer on a tool in the toolbox. Its tooltip shows the tool's name and its key.
- **Tool options.** Some tools have an options dialog. Their tooltip says "double-click for options". Double-click **Rotate** in the toolbox, for example, to open its options dialog. See [Transform and align objects](https://plexiidesk.com/help/draw-transform-and-align).

## Common questions

**R used to draw rectangles and now it rotates.** PlexiiDraw follows Illustrator's keys: `R` is **Rotate** and `M` is **Rectangle**. The table under **The keys that moved** lists every change.

**Can I have my old keys back?** You can set any key yourself. For example, to put **Rectangle** back on `R`, first remove `R` from **Rotate**, then change **Rectangle** to `R`.

**How do I duplicate now?** Choose **Edit** > **Duplicate**, or copy and paste. `⌘` `D` is **Transform Again**, which repeats your last move, rotation or other transform. See [Cut, copy and paste](https://plexiidesk.com/help/draw-copy-and-paste).

**A key does nothing.** Click the artboard first. Keys do nothing while you type in a box or edit text, and commands that act on a selection need something selected.

## Related tasks

- [PlexiiDraw overview](https://plexiidesk.com/help/draw-overview)
- [Cut, copy and paste](https://plexiidesk.com/help/draw-copy-and-paste)
- [Edit points and paths](https://plexiidesk.com/help/draw-points-and-paths)
- [Transform and align objects](https://plexiidesk.com/help/draw-transform-and-align)
- [Groups, clipping masks and compound paths](https://plexiidesk.com/help/draw-groups-masks-compound-paths)
- [Keyboard shortcuts in Office](https://plexiidesk.com/help/office-keyboard-shortcuts)