topic Re: The most useful keyboard shortcuts for ArchiCAD in Modeling

The most useful keyboard shortcuts for ArchiCAD

Eric Bobrow — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 10:03:25 GMT

Hi Everyone -

I am going to create a new ArchiCAD video tutorial focused on keyboard shortcuts and quick mouse-clicks. I want to go beyond the simple browser-based reference list and demonstrate the most useful ones onscreen.

I would love to get your suggestions for this topic, to make sure I create the best reference possible.

Below is a list of the current shortcuts that I will include - please respond and add your comments and suggestions if you have any ideas for things that I may have forgotten. I'm particularly interested in the ones that seem "cool" or that you "couldn't live without" or that are "hidden" (not widely known).

THE MOST IMPORTANT AND USEFUL KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS FOR ARCHICAD

GENERAL

Open File: Command/CTRL - O
Save File: Command/CTRL - S
Print: Command/CTRL - P

Command/CTRL - L: Layer Settings dialog

CANCEL AND UNDO

Escape key: one of the following actions (in this order) -
Cancels current editing or drawing operation (if one is in process)
Deselects Elements (if any are selected)
Removes Marquee (if drawn)
Switches to Arrow Tool (if set to another tool)

Delete(Mac)/Backspace(PC) key: Backs up one step at a time in polywall, polyline or polygon input

Command/CTRL - Z: Undo
Option-Command / ALT-CTRL - Z: Redo

COORDINATE VALUES AND PLACEMENT

x, y, r, a, d: Set coordinate values in Tracker (d = distance = r = radius)
+ (plus key): add current value (whichever coordinate is being edited) to previous value shown in Tracker
- (minus or dash key): subtract current value from previous value in Tracker
(NOTE: in U.S., two dashes are necessary; one can be a separator between feet and inches, e.g. 5-6-)

Enter key: confirms current Tracker values as shown or current mouse position, and clicks mouse

b, t: In Info Box, set base and top values for wall, beam, column, slab, stair, mesh, object
Windows and Doors accept b or t depending on which anchor is set
Roofs accept b for pivot line height

Shift-` (PC) or Custom shortcut (Mac): Create Guideline segment

Shift-Option / ALT-SHIFT:
Moves User Origin to node point (on the fly)

SELECTION

Shift key - temporarily activates Arrow tool; adds to selection set; removes from selection set

NOTE: Shift key held down while drawing or editing (rubber-band line visible) constrains cursor to nearest known angle. ArchiCAD determines the nearest end or node point and makes that the Edit Origin; then determines the nearest known angle.

W key:
Built-in shortcut to toggle between the Arrow tool and the last used drawing tool

TAB key:
When hovering with the Arrow tool or Shift key over two or more overlapping elements, cycles through elements allowing you to choose which one to select

Spacebar (holding down with Arrow tool active, or with Shift key also held down) - toggles QuickSelect (magnet) mode

Group: Command/CTRL - G
Ungroup: Option-Command/ALT-CTRL - G
Suspend Groups: Option/ALT - G

SETTINGS

Command/CTRL - T:
Element Settings (opens dialog based on which tool is active in Toolbox)
Default Settings if nothing is selected; or Selected Element Settings

Command-Option/CTRL-ALT - T:
Edit Selection Set (allows parameter setting for multiple types of elements in one dialog)

Option / ALT – Click: Eye-dropper

Option-Command / ALT-CTRL – Click: Syringe

Option-Command / ALT-CTRL – Click [in library part window]:
Selects different part while transfering parameters, keeps style or “family resemblance”

DRAWING AND EDITING

Drag: Command/CTRL - D
Rotate: Command/CTRL - E (NOTE: "e" is the last letter of "Rotate")
Mirror: Command/CTRL - M

Press and release Option / CTRL key:
During Move, Rotate, Mirror or Elevate command, will make a copy

Press and release Option-Command / CTRL-ALT keys:
During Move, Rotate, Mirror or Elevate command, will make multiple copies until the Escape key is pressed

Command/CTRL - U: Multiply

Spacebar
With a linear or polygon drawing tool active (e.g. wall, slab, roof, fill, line, polyline, arc, etc.)
Magic Wand (autotrace)

Drafting shortcuts in the Toolbar:
Trim, Split, Adjust, Intersect, Fillet
Keyboard shortcuts including the use of the Command or Control key by itself to Trim pieces with the scissors icon

Command / CTRL – Click (depends on context):
Nothing selected - Scissors icon - Trim pieces of linear or curved elements
Dimension chain selected - add points
Walls or Lines selected - Adjust to meet the edge of another element
Wall(s) and/or Roof(s) selected - Trim or Crop to clicked element (roof or wall)

NAVIGATION KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS

F2: Floor Plan
F3: Show 3D Window (last-used selection or marquee will be active)
Command/CTRL - F3: Axonometric view mode
Option/ALT - F3: Perspective view mode
F4 (Mac) / F5 (Windows): Show Selection/Marquee in 3D
Command-F4 (Mac) / CTRL-F5 (Windows): Show All in 3D
F6: Last Section
F7: Last Layout

Fit in Window
Command / CTRL - '
On Windows, and recent versions on Mac: Double-click middle-mouse button

Mouse middle-button press: Pan view
NOTE: There is a free add-on called Magic Prefs that makes this work for the Apple Magic Mouse, which does not have any buttons

O key:
In 3D window, triggers Orbit mode; end Orbit by hitting O again or using Escape key
Middle-button plus Shift key:
In 3D view, activates Orbit mode; release buttons to end Orbit mode

Cursor keys (Left, Right, Up, Down):
Scroll in that direction

In Plan:
Command / CTRL – Up Arrow: Go up a story
Command / CTRL – Down Arrow: Go down a story

In Layout Book:
Option / ALT - Left Arrow: Previous Layout
Option / ALT - Right Arrow: Next Layout

MISCELLANEOUS SHORTCUTS

Shift – Cursor keys (Left, Right, Up, Down):
Nudge selected element(s) the distance set in the Snap Grid

Shift-Option / Shift-ALT – Cursor keys:
Nudge selected elements the larger distance set in the Construction Grid

Shift-S:
Turns on or off the Grid Snap (NOTE: this used to be “s” without the Shift-key modifier)

M key:
Measure tool; hit M again or Escape to finish Measure mode

Q key:
While drawing or editing an element with the mouse constrained on an angle (usually with the Shift key), this will cycle through Cursor Snap Variations.

F key:
While editing an element with a Pet Palette option in effect, this will “flick” through the available Pet Palette options.

SPECIAL MOUSE CLICKS

Double-click Magnifier Plus button: Zoom in to twice the magnification
Double-click Magnifier Minus button: Zoom out to half the magnification

Favorites palette – double-click: Activate tool and set default;
If elements of that type are selected, injects the saved settings into the element(s)

Flick buttons [<< and >>] in Library Part Settings or Info Box:
Switches to next or previous library part; has the side effect of resetting the library part to the default settings.

Empty hole button:
In Window or Door Settings or Info Box, will switch to Empty Opening while maintaining the same width and height.

Arrow-click or Shift-click on EDGE of hole (within polygon element such as Slab, Roof, Mesh, Fill, etc.):
Select HOLE only (allows the hole to be dragged, drag a copy, multiply, deleted, etc.)

Please respond with your comments and suggestions as soon as possible.

Thanks for your help in this little project!

Eric

Re: The most useful keyboard shortcuts for ArchiCAD

Stress Co_ — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 05:29:27 GMT

Here's two keyboard shortcuts that I use all the time:

"Command + 1": Toggles True line weights on/off

"`": Toggles trace reference on/off (the tilde key)

Re: The most useful keyboard shortcuts for ArchiCAD

Anonymous — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 18:11:00 GMT

I began using as many as possible in order to eliminate the amount of palettes on my screen thereby leaving more room for drawings. I also believe it is much quicker to draft using key commands instead of pull down menus. No need to follow a prescribed list. Never copy anyone else's shortcuts. Everyone has different commands that they use for their drawing style. Begin with the commands you use most often. Try to keep the keyboard shortcuts on the left side of the keyboard so that you can keep your right hand on the mouse. Any letter command can be "doubled up" by using either Command, Option or both (by pressing Option & Command together with the side of your left thumb). Add one or two new shortcuts a week. Be efficient & conserve your movements. You will draft much faster & have more time for lunch.

Re: The most useful keyboard shortcuts for ArchiCAD

Karl Ottenstein — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 19:19:25 GMT

I use all of those mentioned, and more. And, agree completely with Jack that it is important that folks create their own as they see that they are 'reaching' for menus/elsewhere often.

Some other ones that I use frequently (and may be different from the standard keys for those things with default shortcuts) are:

ctrl/cmd-F: Find and Select

ctrl/cmd-minus: adjust: extends (or trims) one or multiple lines/walls to a clicked or virtually drawn line

ctrl/cmd-B: split/break a line/wall at the selected intersection (of clicked or virtually drawn line)

ctrl/cmd-shift-': zoom to selection. I use zoom extents in Eric's list the most often (ctrl-') but sometimes the project is too huge and selecting an area and zooming just it is faster.

I: intersect (walls/lines)

H: hairline / true-weight toggle (Marc's cmd-1)

Shift-I: Info Palette - info on selected elements

shift-E: SEOp palette. (Shift='S'olid, E=Element)

ctrl/cmd-Z followed by ctrl/cmd-Shift-Z (Undo/Redo): selects last created element(s)

ctrl/cmd-shift-O: open selected object in the GDL editor

shift-O: Align 3D Texture > Set Origin
shift-P: Align 3D Texture > Reset

Re: The most useful keyboard shortcuts for ArchiCAD

Anonymous — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 19:35:25 GMT

thanks Eric!

learned a new one from you today:
W : Built-in shortcut to toggle between the Arrow tool and the last used drawing tool

Re: The most useful keyboard shortcuts for ArchiCAD

ratnabhirud — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 16:40:19 GMT

Hello Eric,

Is there any shortcut for repeating or continue same command ( not same as toggling between selection and last command used) like Trim by holding and pressing ctrl key from keyboard

Regards,

Ratna

Re: The most useful keyboard shortcuts for ArchiCAD

Katalin Takacs — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 08:38:31 GMT

How to list the currently assigned shortcuts and how to customize them?
Here are the steps: http://archicadwiki.com/KeyboardShortcutCustomization

Re: The most useful keyboard shortcuts for ArchiCAD

Eduardo Rolon — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:17:57 GMT

ratnabhirud wrote:
Hello Eric,

Is there any shortcut for repeating or continue same command ( not same as toggling between selection and last command used) like Trim by holding and pressing ctrl key from keyboard

Regards,

Ratna

Ctrl+B or Command+B will repeat the last command

Re: The most useful keyboard shortcuts for ArchiCAD

JaredBanks — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:29:36 GMT

Here's my top 20 list:

http://www.shoegnome.com/2010/12/11/top-20-keyboard-shortcuts/

Jack is absolutely right!

I think it's best to teach people about what commands are most important to have shortcuts for and not focus so much on what those shortcuts are (because I know we all have slightly different variations). So just as important is the logic behind choosing which keyboard combinations to use.

Re: The most useful keyboard shortcuts for ArchiCAD

Eric Bobrow — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:28:07 GMT

It is interesting to get perspectives from multiple people - that's what makes ArchiCAD-Talk so useful.

I will incorporate some of what has been posted into the video tutorial, which I hope to record and post this week.

Eric

Re: The most useful keyboard shortcuts for ArchiCAD

Anonymous — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 02:01:10 GMT

I find keyboard shortcuts to be invaluable. I guess it's whatever you get used to. I have all of my f keys programmed for the shortcuts I like, plus more shortcuts programmed as command 1,2,3,4,5 that I can do with my left hand while my right always stays on the mouse.

I have a 5 button mouse with scroll wheel, that does "return" to deal with all those OK dialogue boxes (there are lots of them) and a button to toggle from the arrow to the last tool used.

I don't have any shortcuts that take more that two keys and can't be done with one hand (my non mouse hand).

Re: The most useful keyboard shortcuts for ArchiCAD

ratnabhirud — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 06:34:02 GMT

Thanks ejrolon

Regards,

Ratna

Re: The most useful keyboard shortcuts for ArchiCAD

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:07:39 GMT

Here's a shortcut I like to use: When my left hand is on the keys & my right hand is on the mouse I don't use the DELETE key on the right hand side of my keyboard. Instead, I use the CUT command with a keyboard shortcut that is on the left hand side of my keyboard. Slightly unconventional, but that's what I do.

Re: The most useful keyboard shortcuts for ArchiCAD

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:35:20 GMT

ejrolon wrote:
ratnabhirud wrote:
Hello Eric,

Is there any shortcut for repeating or continue same command ( not same as toggling between selection and last command used) like Trim by holding and pressing ctrl key from keyboard

Regards,

Ratna
Ctrl+B or Command+B will repeat the last command

A little bit of history...

This feature was requested by Greg Conyngham and was promptly added in the next version. (GS does listen)

Re: The most useful keyboard shortcuts for ArchiCAD

Katalin Takacs — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 08:45:06 GMT

A new collection of the most useful ArchiCAD shortcuts and commands: http://archicadwiki.com/TopCommands

Re: The most useful keyboard shortcuts for ArchiCAD

Ernest Atanasiu — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 09:46:51 GMT

finally, the guidelines make some sense with the use of 'Q'key...

Re: The most useful keyboard shortcuts for ArchiCAD

Eric Bobrow — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 17:24:32 GMT

I really like that new ArchiCAD Wiki article on the most useful ArchiCAD shortcuts and commands! The page is easy to scan quickly, and has enough of a description that one can get the gist of the command usage right away. Well done, Graphisoft!

By the way, I started this topic off by posting a list of useful keyboard shortcuts. I asked for suggestions as I prepared a video tutorial.

I created a 32 minute video on this subject, and posted it on my ArchiCAD Tutorials YouTube Channel back in April, but never came back here to ArchiCAD-Talk to let folks know about it... oops.

Here is a link:
ArchiCAD Tutorial | Keyboard Shortcuts

I hope that you find it useful!

Eric

Re: The most useful keyboard shortcuts for ArchiCAD

Katalin Takacs — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 09:14:13 GMT

Thank you Eric for this great tip, I pasted your tutorial video into the wiki article to make it more useful.

Re: The most useful keyboard shortcuts for ArchiCAD

Anonymous — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 15:59:23 GMT

Hey Eric, thanks for the extensive tutorial. I tried using spacebar and control + up/down arrow to complete actions and it saves a lot of time.

Re: The most useful keyboard shortcuts for ArchiCAD

rgarand — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 16:16:19 GMT

Some of the shortcuts I use have already been listed, for instance:

L - for layer....I am constantly in and out of my layer dialog and I want this to be a quick one key/one hand shortcut.

I - for intersection is another fav.

W - for grabbing an element while I am in teamwork mode really speeds up this process for me.

The only other items I can think of are not shortcuts on my keyboard, but shortcuts on my mouse. I have multiple buttons:

1 button for "Bring Forward"
1 button for "Send Backward"
1 button for "Solid Element Operations"

Great topic for the beginners to monitor. It has been proven at the cad shootouts over the years that shortcut keys for any cad program will increase efficiency.