Pixelmator Pro keyboard shortcuts

You can use keyboard shortcuts to quickly accomplish many tasks in Pixelmator Pro. To use a keyboard shortcut, press all the keys in the shortcut at the same time.

While Pixelmator Pro comes with many pre-assigned keyboard shortcuts, you can also create some custom ones yourself to best suit your workflow. See Customize keyboard shortcuts to learn more.

Navigate an image#

Action	Shortcut
Zoom in	`Command ⌘` + Plus `+`
Zoom out	`Command ⌘` + Minus `-`
Temporarily turn on scrubby zoom	Press and hold `Option ⌥` + `Space` on your keyboard, then click and drag on canvas
Zoom to fit	`Command ⌘` + `0`
View actual size	`Command ⌘` + `1` or `Option ⌥` + `Command ⌘` + `0`
Select the Zoom tool	`Z`
Navigate using the Zoom tool	Click to zoom in, `Option ⌥` – click to zoom out, drag over an area to zoom in to it
Scroll an image (use the Hand tool)	Press and hold `Space`, then drag the image or press `H` on your keyboard
Freely rotate the canvas	Press and hold `Space` + `R`, then click and drag to rotate the canvas

Select tools#

Tool	Shortcut
Style	`S`
Arrange	`V`
Color Picker	`I`
Free Selection	`L` (selects the last used selection tool)
Rectangular Selection	`M`
Cycle through Free, Magnetic, and Polygonal selection tools	`Shift ⇧` + `L`
Elliptical Selection	`Y`
Color Selection	`W`
Quick Selection	`Q`
Paint	`B`
Erase	`E`
Color Fill	`N`
Gradient Fill	`G`
Repair	`R`
Clone	`O`
Shape	`U` (selects the last used Shape)
Cycle through commonly used shape tools	`Shift ⇧` + `U`
Pen	`P` (selects the last used Pen tool)
Cycle through Pen and Freeform Pen tools	`Shift ⇧` + `P`
Type	`T`
Cycle through the Circular, Path, Freeform and the regular type tools	`Shift ⇧` + `T`
Color Adjustments	`A`
Effects	`F`
Crop	`C`
Slice	`K` or `Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘` + `E`
Zoom	`Z`
Hand	`H`

Open, save, and export images#

Action	Shortcut
Create a new image or template	`Command ⌘` + `N`
Create a new image using a mockup	`Option ⌥` + `Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘` + `N`
Create a new image from clipboard	`Option ⌥` + `N`
Open an image	`Command ⌘` + `O`
Save an image	`Command ⌘` + `S`
Duplicate an image	`Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘` + `S`
Save an existing image as a new image	`Option ⌥` + `Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘` + `S`
Export an image	`Command ⌘` + `E`
Export an image optimized for the web	`Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘` + `E`
Create a new image from your Photos library	`Option ⌥` + `Command ⌘` + `N`

Basic edits#

Action	Shortcuts
Undo last action	`Command ⌘` + `Z`
Redo last action	`Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘` + `Z`
Cut	`Command ⌘` + `X`
Copy	`Command ⌘` + `C`
Copy Merged	`Option ⌥` + `Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘` + `C`
Paste	`Command ⌘` + `V`
Paste and match style	`Option ⌥` + `Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘` + `V`
Paste and match colors	`Control ⌃` + `Option ⌥` + `Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘` + `V`
Duplicate layer or selected area	`Command ⌘` + `J` or `Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘` + `D`
Cut and paste selected area	`Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘` + `J`
Duplicate a layer and move it by a pixel	Press `Option ⌥` and an arrow key
Duplicate a layer and move it by 10 pixels	Press `Option ⌥` + `Shift ⇧` and an arrow key
Change the size of the image	`Option ⌥` + `Command ⌘` + `I`
Use Super Resolution to increase the resolution of an image	`Option ⌥` + `Command ⌘` + `U`
Remove background	`Shift ⇧` + `Backspace ⌫`
Change the size of the image canvas	`Option ⌥` + `Command ⌘` + `C`
Change the color profile of the image	`Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘` + `K`
Replace layer	`Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘` + `R`
Enter the color picker mode	Press and hold the `Option ⌥` key and pick a color from an image

Work with layers#

Action	Shortcut
Create an empty new layer	`Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘` + `N`
Insert an image or video as a layer from Finder	`Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘` + `V`
Insert an image or video as a layer from Photos	`Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘` + `P`
Delete selected layer(s) or clear selections	`Backspace ⌫` key
Select all layers	`Option ⌥` + `Command ⌘` + `A`
Merge selected layers	`Option ⌥` + `Command ⌘` + `E`
Merge all layers	`Option ⌥` + `Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘` + `E`
Group layers	`Command ⌘` + `G`
Ungroup layers	`Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘` + `G`
Lock or unlock layers	Forward slash `/` key
Toggle layer visibility on and off	`Option ⌥` + `Command ⌘` + `,` (Comma)
Copy layer mask	`Option ⌥` – drag a layer mask from one layer to another
Temporarily disable layer mask	`Shift ⇧` – click a layer mask
Link or unlink a layer mask	Double–click the mask link line
Create a layer mask from image, shape or text	`Command ⌘` – drag the image, shape or text onto a layer you'd like to mask
Create clipping mask	`Option ⌥` – click between two layers in the Layers sidebar or press `Option ⌥` + `Command ⌘` + `G`
Select next layer in layer list	`Option ⌥` + Right bracket `]`
Select previous layer in layer list	`Option ⌥` + Left bracket `[`
Select top layer in layer list	`Option ⌥` + Period `.`
Select bottom layer in layer list	`Option ⌥` + Comma `,`
Bring selected layer(s) forward	`Command ⌘` + Right Bracket `]`
Send selected layer(s) to the front	`Option ⌥` + `Command ⌘` + Right Bracket `]`
Bring selected layer(s) backward	`Command ⌘` + Left Bracket `[`
Send selected layer(s) to the back	`Option ⌥` + `Command ⌘` + Left Bracket `[`
Move a layer while any tool is active	`Command ⌘` – drag the layer
Equally space objects horizontally	`Option ⌥` + `Command ⌘` + `Control ⌃` + `H`
Equally space objects vertically	`Option ⌥` + `Command ⌘` + `Control ⌃` + `V`

Style tool#

Action	Shortcut
Cycle through blend modes	`Shift ⇧` + Plus `+` or Minus `-`
Set layer opacity	Press a number key once or twice quickly in succession. Press the `0` key once for 100% and twice for 0%
Temporarily view original layer without styles applied	`Control ⌃` + `M`

Arrange tool#

Action	Shortcut
Resize a layer	Drag a layer handle
Duplicate a layer	`Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘` + `D` or `Option ⌥` – drag
Disable alignment guides while moving or resizing	`Command ⌘` – drag
Resize a layer from the center	`Option ⌥` – drag a layer handle
Constrain the aspect ratio when resizing a layer	`Shift ⇧` – drag
Constrain the aspect ratio when resizing a layer from the center	`Option ⌥` + `Shift ⇧` – drag a layer handle
Open the shortcut menu for the selected layer	`Control ⌃` – click the layer
Rotate a layer	`Command ⌘` – drag a layer handle
Rotate a layer in 15º steps	`Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘` – drag a layer handle
Move a layer in a straight or diagonal line	`Shift ⇧` – drag a layer
Align multiple layers according to their edges	Press `Control ⌃` + `Command ⌘` and an arrow key
Align multiple layers according to their centers	`Control ⌃` + `Command ⌘` + `H` (for horizontal centers) or `V` (for vertical centers)

Crop tool#

Action	Shortcut
Turn on the Crop tool	`C`
Adjust the position of the crop	Press an arrow key
Resize the crop box using constrained proportions	`Shift ⇧` – drag a crop box handle
Keep the center of the crop box fixed when resizing	`Option ⌥` – drag a crop box handle
Reset the original image height	Double-click the top-middle crop handle. Press and hold the `Shift ⇧` key while double-clicking to reset the image height using constrained crop
Reset the original image width	Double-click the left or the right side handle. Press and hold the `Shift ⇧` key while double-clicking to reset the image width using constrained crop
Reveal hidden areas of an image	Double-click inside the crop box
Crop to fit image contents	`Command ⌘` – click a crop box handle
Switch from straightening to rotation	`Command ⌘` – drag outside the crop box
Cycle through crop overlays	`Command ⌘` + `G`
Rotate the crop overlay	`Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘` + `G`

Free transform#

Action	Shortcut
Turn on Free Transform	`Command ⌘` + `T`
Skew	Drag a transform handle while holding `Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘`
Distort	Drag a transform handle while holding the `Command ⌘` key
Perspective Transform	Drag a transform handle while holding `Option ⌥` + `Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘`

Selection tools#

Action	Shortcut
Select the entire image	`Command ⌘` + `A`
Deselect an active selection	`Command ⌘` + `D`
Invert a selection	`Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘` + `I`
Load the outline of a layer as a selection	`Option ⌥` + `Command ⌘` + `L` or `Command ⌘` – click the thumbnail of a layer
Load grayscale selection	`Shift ⇧` + `Option ⌥` + `Command ⌘` + `L`
Turn on Select and Mask	`Option ⌥` + `Command ⌘` + `R`
Turn on Smart Refine selection	`Option ⌥` + `Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘` + `R`
Select subject	`Control ⌃` + `S`
Copy a selected area	`Command ⌘` + `C`
Cut a selected area	`Command ⌘` + `X`
Paste a selected area	`Command ⌘` + `V`
Duplicate a selected area	`Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘` + `D`
Constrain selection to a circle or a square	Press and hold `Shift ⇧` after starting a selection
Add to a selection	Press and hold `Shift ⇧` before starting to select
Subtract from a selection	Press and hold the `Option ⌥` key before starting to select
Intersect a selection	Press and hold the `Shift ⇧` and `Option ⌥` keys before starting to select

Paint and erase#

Action	Shortcut
Reset foreground and background colors to white and black	`D`
Switch between foreground and background color	`X`
Paint or erase a vertical or horizontal line	Press and hold the `Shift ⇧` key before starting to paint
Temporarily switch from painting to erasing	Press and hold ` or `~` on your keyboard
Navigate the brushes	Choose the next brush in the collection `.` or choose the previous brush `,`
Stroke with brush	`Option ⌥` + `Command ⌘` + `B`
Increase or decrease brush size	Right bracket `]` or Left bracket `[`
Increase or decrease brush softness	`Shift ⇧` + Right bracket ] or `Shift ⇧` + Left bracket `[`
Constrain gradient to 15º angle	`Shift ⇧` – drag gradient
Pick a color from an image	`Option ⌥` – click
Fill layer with color	`Option ⌥` + `Command ⌘` + `F`
Fill layer with background color	`Command ⌘` + `Backspace ⌫`
Fill layer with foreground color	`Option ⌥` + `Backspace ⌫`
Set Paint tool opacity	Press a number key once or twice quickly in succession. Press the `0` key for 100%, or `00` for 0%
Cycle through blend modes	`Shift ⇧` + Plus `+` or Minus `-`

Clone tool#

Action	Shortcut
Choose the Clone tool	`O`
Set clone source	`Option ⌥` – click

Draw shape#

Action	Shortcut
Choose the Shape tool	`U`
Unite a shape with the selected shape	Press and hold the `Shift ⇧` key before starting to draw
Subtract a shape from the selected shape	Press and hold the `Option ⌥` key before starting to draw
Intersect a shape with the selected shape	Press and hold `Option ⌥` + `Shift ⇧` before starting to draw
Move a shape on the canvas while using any shape tool	`Command ⌘` – drag a shape
Select a different shape on the canvas while using any shape tool	`Command ⌘` – click a shape
Select multiple shapes on the canvas while using any shape tool	Press and hold `Command ⌘` + `Shift ⇧` then click or drag to select shapes
Move multiple shapes on the canvas while using any shape tool	After selecting multiple shapes, press and hold the `Command ⌘` key and drag the shapes

Edit shapes#

Action	Shortcut
Make a shape editable	`Return ↵` key
Adjust the corner radius of a rounded rectangle shape	`Command ⌘` – drag a corner radius handle
Adjust the radius of a single corner of a rounded rectangle shape	`Option ⌥` + `Command ⌘` – drag a corner radius handle
Break apart the direction lines of a smooth anchor point	`Option ⌥` – drag a direction point
Rejoin the direction lines of a smooth anchor point	`Option ⌥` – drag the opposite direction point
Select or deselect multiple anchor points	`Shift ⇧` – click an anchor point or `Shift ⇧` – drag to draw a selection over multiple anchor points
Delete the selected anchor point(s)	`Backspace ⌫` key
Stop editing a shape	Esc key

Draw paths with the Pen tool#

Action	Shortcut
Add a sharp point	Click anywhere in the image
Add a smooth point	Drag anywhere in the image
Delete the most recently added anchor point	`Backspace ⌫` key
Adjust the direction lines of a smooth anchor point after adding it	`Command ⌘` – drag a direction line
Break apart the direction lines of a smooth anchor point while adding it	Press and hold the `Option ⌥` key while dragging to add an anchor point
Break apart the direction lines of a smooth anchor point after adding it	`Option ⌥` – drag a direction point
Adjust the direction lines of a smooth anchor point after adding it	`Command ⌘` – drag a direction line
Finish drawing a path and close it	`Shift ⇧` + `Return ↵` key
Finish drawing a path and leave it open	`Return ↵` key

Type tool#

Action	Shortcut
Insert a text layer	`Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘` + `T`
Insert a circular text layer	`Option ⌥` + `Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘` + `T`
Expand the text box to both directions	`Option ⌥` – drag a text box handle
Move the text box along the path (when editing text on a path)	`Shift ⇧` – drag a text box handle
Continue typing text from a new line instead of a new paragraph	`Shift ⇧` + `Return ↵`

Color Adjustments#

Action	Shortcut
Color Adjustments
Add a color adjustments layer	`Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘` + `A`
Automatically enhance the colors of an image (ML Enhance)	`Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘` + `M`
Remove camera noise and image compression artifacts (Denoise)	`Control ⌃` + `Shift ⇧` + `D`
Remove color banding and compression artifacts from low-quality images (Deband)	`Control ⌃` + `Shift ⇧` + `B`
Apply the Hue & Saturation adjustment	`Command ⌘` + `U`
Apply the Color Balance adjustment	`Command ⌘` + `B`
Apply the Levels adjustment	`Command ⌘` + `L`
Apply the Curves adjustment	`Command ⌘` + `K`
Invert colors destructively	`Command ⌘` + `I`
Temporarily view original layer without adjustments	`Control ⌃` + `M`
Enter the Split Comparison view	Press `Control ⌃` + `C` , `Option ⌥` – click the Show Original button, or force click the canvas
Enable color soft proofing	Press `Command ⌘` + `Y`

Effects#

Action	Shortcut
Add an effects layer	`Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘` + `F`
Apply the Color Fill effect	`Option ⌥` + `Command ⌘` + `F`
Temporarily view original layer without effects	`Control ⌃` + `M`

Edit videos#

Action	Shortcut
Play or pause all videos	`Space`
Play or pause selected video layers	`Option ⌥` + `Space`
Move the video trimming bar without changing duration	`Command ⌘` – one of the trimming handles

Templates browser#

Action	Shortcut
Open the templates browser	`Command ⌘` + `N`
Show a preview of the selected template	`Space`
Show recent documents and templates	`Command ⌘` + `R`
Open the list of image size presets	`Option ⌥` + `Command ⌘` + `P`

Photo browser#

Action	Shortcut
Open the Photo browser	`Option ⌥` + `Command ⌘` + `N`
Show a preview of the selected image or video	`Space`
Open image or video shortcut menu with more opening options	`Control ⌃` – click the image or video thumbnail
Open original, unedited image	`Option ⌥` – click the Open button in the Photo browser
Change the size of thumbnails in the Photo browser	`Command ⌘` + Plus `+` or `Command ⌘` + Minus `-`

General#

Action	Shortcut
Show Pixelmator Pro welcome screen	`Command ⌘` + `Shift ⇧` + `1`
Show Pixelmator Pro settings	`Command ⌘` + Comma `,`
Show Pixelmator Pro help	`Command ⌘` + Question mark `?`
Show guides	`Option ⌥` + `Command ⌘` + Semicolon `;`
Show rulers	`Command ⌘` + `R`
Show grid	`Option ⌥` + `Command ⌘` + Apostrophe `'`
Show colors	`Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘` + `C`
Show tool names	`Control ⌃` + `O`
View document info	`Shift ⇧` + `Option ⌥` + `Command ⌘` + `I`
Show Info bar	`Command ⌘` + Forward slash `/`
Hide toolbar	`Option ⌥` + `Command ⌘` + `T`
Show or hide overlay	`Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘` + `H`
Show or hide interface	`Control ⌃` + `H`
Hide Tools sidebar	`Option ⌥` + `T`
Hide or show the Layers sidebar	`Option ⌥` + `L`
Switch Layers sidebar to List view	`Option ⌥` + `Shift ⇧` + `L`
Switch Layers sidebar to Thumbnails view	`Control ⌃` + `Shift ⇧` + `L`
Enter full screen	`Fn` + `F` or `Control ⌃` + `Command ⌘` + `F`
Close window	`Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘` + `W`
Close all windows	`Option ⌥` + `Command ⌘` + `Shift ⇧` + `W`
Close tab	`Command ⌘` + `W`
Close other tabs	`Option ⌥` + `Command ⌘` + `W`
Show Next Tab	`Control ⌃` + `Tab ⇥`
Show Previous Tab	`Control ⌃` + `Shift ⇧` + `Tab ⇥`
View All Tabs	`Shift ⇧` + `Command ⌘` + Backlash `\`
Cycle through windows	`Command ⌘` + Grave `
Minimize window	`Command ⌘` + `M`
Minimize all windows	`Option ⌥` + `Command ⌘` + `M`
Hide Pixelmator Pro	`Command ⌘` + `H`
Hide others	`Option ⌥` + `Command ⌘` + `H`
Print	`Command ⌘` + `P`
Quit Pixelmator Pro	`Command ⌘` + `Q`
Quit Pixelmator Pro and keep windows	`Option ⌥` + `Command ⌘` + `Q`