Given the popularity of our previous post about Illustrator Shortcuts, here is a look at some InDesign keyboard shortcuts that help save time and make you a keyboard ninja.
Edit
- Cmd + Z : Undo
- Shift + Cmd + Z : Redo
- Cmd + A : Select all
- Opt + Shift + Cmd + V : Paste in Place
- Shift + Cmd + V : Paste without Formatting
Type
- Shift + Return : Soft return or a Forced Line Break
- Cmd + Enter : Page Break
- Shift + Cmd + M : Em Space
- Shift + Cmd + N : En Space
- Opt + Cmd + I : Show Hidden Characters
- Shift + Cmd + T : Tabs
Object
- Shift + Cmd + ] : Bring to Front
- Shift + Cmd + [ : Send to Back
- Opt + Shift + Cmd + C : Fill Frame Proportionally
- Opt + Shift + Cmd + E : Fit Content Proportionally
- Opt + Cmd + E : Fit Content to Frame
- Opt + Cmd + C : Fit Frame to Content
- Cmd + G : Group
- Shift + Cmd + G : Ungroup
- Cmd + L : Lock
- Opt + Cmd + L : Unlock All on Spread
- Cmd + B : Text Frame Options
View
- Shift + W : Presentation Mode
- W : Preview Mode
- Cmd + : Zoom In
- Cmd - : Zoom Out
Text and tables
- Opt + Left Arrow : Decrease Kerning
- Opt + Right Arrow : Increase Kerning
- Opt + Up Arrow : Decrease Leading
- Opt + Down Arrow : Increase Leading
Tools
- I : Eyedropper Tool
- V : Selection Tool
- A : Direct Selection Tool
- T : Type Tool
- Shift + T : Type on a Path
- Shift + Cmd + Select : Override Master Page
Other handy tips
- To get that squiggly underline to correct your spelling go to Edit > Spelling > Dynamic Spelling.
- When modifying a value in InDesign, you can type in basic mathematics symbols and the program will calculate it for you. This works across different units (i.e. points and inches etc.)
- Right clicking on the little corner where the rules meet allows you to change the units of measurement throughout your document.
- To resize both the frame and content, hold down Cmd + Shift and then drag a corner.
- View or modifying all shortcuts by going to Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts.
