Adobe Photoshop Shortcut Keys: Your Ultimate Guide to Speeding Up Your Workflow
Adobe Photoshop is a powerful tool used by professionals across various industries, including graphic design, photography, and digital art.
While the software is known for its complex features and tools, learning and using Photoshop shortcut keys can significantly speed up your workflow and increase productivity.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the essential Photoshop shortcut keys you need to know to make your editing process faster and more efficient.
Key Benefits of Using Photoshop Shortcut Keys
Speed: By memorizing the most commonly used shortcuts, you can complete tasks in a fraction of the time.
Efficiency: Reduce the number of clicks and mouse movements, making your workflow more efficient.
Improved Focus: Avoid constantly switching between the keyboard and mouse. This allows you to focus more on your creative work.
Reduced Errors: By using shortcuts, you avoid accidentally selecting the wrong tool or function, which can occur when navigating through menus manually.
31. Photoshop Shortcut Keys Layer Masks and Adjustment Layers
S. No.
Action
Windows
Mac
186
Add Layer Mask
Ctrl + Alt + G
Cmd + Option + G
187
Add New Adjustment Layer
Ctrl + Alt + Shift + L
Cmd + Option + Shift + L
188
Invert Layer Mask
Ctrl + I
Cmd + I
189
Apply Layer Mask
Ctrl + Shift + E
Cmd + Shift + E
190
Toggle Layer Mask
Shift + Ctrl + I
Shift + Cmd + I
32. Photoshop Shortcut Keys Advanced Text Editing
S. No.
Action
Windows
Mac
191
Toggle Character Panel
Ctrl + T
Cmd + T
192
Toggle Paragraph Panel
Ctrl + Alt + T
Cmd + Option + T
193
Increase Text Size
Ctrl + Shift + >
Cmd + Shift + >
194
Decrease Text Size
Ctrl + Shift + <
Cmd + Shift + <
195
Center Align Text
Ctrl + Shift + C
Cmd + Shift + C
33. Photoshop Shortcut Keys Working with Paths
S. No.
Action
Windows
Mac
196
Convert Path to Selection
Ctrl + Enter
Cmd + Return
197
Add to Path Selection
Shift + Click
Shift + Click
198
Subtract from Path Selection
Alt + Click
Option + Click
199
Convert Path to Shape
Ctrl + Shift + O
Cmd + Shift + O
200
Delete Path
Ctrl + Shift + D
Cmd + Shift + D
34. Photoshop Shortcut Keys Color Settings and Adjustments
S. No.
Action
Windows
Mac
201
Color Balance
Ctrl + B
Cmd + B
202
Hue/Saturation
Ctrl + U
Cmd + U
203
Change Foreground Color
Alt + Delete
Option + Delete
204
Change Background Color
Ctrl + Delete
Cmd + Delete
205
Invert Colors
Ctrl + I
Cmd + I
35. Photoshop Shortcut Keys Advanced Layer Styles and Effects
S. No.
Action
Windows
Mac
206
Layer Style (Blending Options)
Double-click on Layer
Double-click on Layer
207
Drop Shadow
Ctrl + Shift + D
Cmd + Shift + D
208
Outer Glow
Ctrl + Shift + G
Cmd + Shift + G
209
Inner Glow
Ctrl + Alt + G
Cmd + Option + G
210
Bevel and Emboss
Ctrl + Shift + B
Cmd + Shift + B
36. Photoshop Shortcut Keys View Options
S. No.
Action
Windows
Mac
211
Show/Hide Rulers
Ctrl + R
Cmd + R
212
Show/Hide Grid
Ctrl + ‘
Cmd + ‘
213
Show/Hide Guides
Ctrl + ;
Cmd + ;
214
Show/Hide Info Panel
F8
F8
215
Zoom to Fit
Ctrl + 0
Cmd + 0
Specialty Shortcuts for Quick Edits
These shortcuts allow you to perform specialized tasks in Photoshop with ease.
Content-Aware Fill
Shift + F5: Access the Content-Aware Fill feature to remove unwanted elements from your image seamlessly.
Clipping Mask
Ctrl (Cmd) + Alt + G: Create a Clipping Mask, where the top layer takes on the shape of the layer below it.
Quick Access to Filters
Ctrl (Cmd) + F: Open the Filter Gallery to apply various artistic effects to your image.
Ctrl (Cmd) + Alt + F: Repeat the last applied filter.
Customizing Photoshop Shortcuts to Suit Your Needs
Photoshop allows users to customize keyboard shortcuts based on personal preferences and workflow needs. Here’s how you can tailor Photoshop shortcuts to your liking:
Go to Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts.
Select the command for which you want to create a shortcut.
Assign a new shortcut key and click OK.
Customizing your shortcuts can make your work even more efficient, especially if you use specific tools or functions frequently.
Tips for Memorizing Photoshop Shortcut Keys
Learning Photoshop shortcuts can seem daunting at first, but with a bit of practice, you’ll soon be navigating the software like a pro. Here are a few tips to help you memorize these shortcuts effectively:
Practice Regularly: Incorporate shortcuts into your daily workflow to commit them to memory.
Use Cheat Sheets: Keep a Photoshop shortcut cheat sheet nearby for quick reference as you learn.
Group Similar Shortcuts: Focus on mastering one set of related shortcuts (e.g., selection tools or brush tools) before moving on to others.
Create Custom Shortcuts: For tools or actions you use most often, set up custom shortcuts to optimize your workflow.
Conclusion
Mastering Photoshop shortcut keys is an essential skill for anyone looking to enhance their photo editing speed and efficiency. From basic commands to advanced functions, these shortcuts will help you navigate Photoshop more effectively, allowing you to focus on the creative aspects of your projects. By incorporating these time-saving techniques into your workflow, you’ll be able to complete projects quicker and with greater precision, improving both the quality and the speed of your work.
