Altium Designer Documentation

Altium Designer Shortcut Keys

Using Altium Documentation
Created: December 17, 2020 | Updated: June 18, 2021

Contents

Contents

All Contents

Perhaps the single thing you can do to become more productive in any software environment is to learn the shortcut keys. Keystrokes are more efficient than carefully positioning a mouse over a button or drilling through menus, and once learned, they become second nature. This article details the default shortcuts that are available across the various design domains.

Accessing Shortcuts

In a multi-editor environment like Altium Designer, it can be hard to remember the shortcuts, particularly those special-purpose ones that are available when you are running a command. To help with this, Altium Designer provides a shortcut menu that can be used from within all interactive Schematic and PCB commands. When an interactive command is running, for example Place » Wire in the Schematic Editor, use the Shift+F1 keyboard shortcut to access a menu that lists all valid shortcuts for that stage of the interactive command. You can either process another command by choosing it from the menu or by pressing Esc to close the menu without impact on the currently running command.

Use the Shift+F1 shortcuts menu to refresh your memory about the shortcuts available or use it in the traditional menu sense to select the required option with the mouse.f1
Use the Shift+F1 shortcuts menu to refresh your memory about the shortcuts available or use it in the traditional menu sense to
select the required option with the mouse.

Alternatively, while the interactive command is running, use the F1 keyboard shortcut. This gives access to the Graphical Editing Hot key List dialog that provides a listing of the shortcuts available (but that cannot be launched), as well as access to the documentation for the currently running command.

Rather than using the Close button to exit the dialog, which can affect the currently running command with a change to the current cursor location, press Esc or Enter instead.

Use the Graphical Editing Hot key List dialog to refresh your memory about the shortcuts available for the currently running interactive command.
Use the Graphical Editing Hot key List dialog to refresh your memory about the shortcuts available for the currently running interactive command.

Editing Shortcut Keys

The fastest way to add or edit the shortcut keys assigned to a command is to Ctrl+click on the entry for that command on the relevant menu or toolbar. This will open the Edit Command dialog in which you can add a shortcut or edit the currently assigned shortcut.

To add or edit a shortcut, hold Ctrl as you click on the menu or toolbar entry to open the Edit Command dialog.
To add or edit a shortcut, hold Ctrl as you click on the menu or toolbar entry to open the Edit Command dialog.

To define the shortcut, click in the Primary field (in the Shortcuts region of the dialog), then press the key combination you want to use on your keyboard. Alternatively, use the drop-down list then scroll to the required key(s). If that shortcut key combination is currently in use, the command using it will be displayed below in the Currently in use by field. If you continue with the new assignment, it will be removed from that other command.

An alternative approach to customizing shortcuts or commands is to open the Customizing Editor dialog. You can access this dialog by double-clicking in a command-free region of the main menu bar or right-click on a menu bar or a toolbar then select Customize from the drop-down menu. To locate the command for which you want to add/edit the shortcut, select the [All] option in the dialog's Categories list, then use the filter field to quickly find it. Double-click on the required command in the Commands list to open the Edit Command dialog and add/edit the shortcut key.

The Customizing Editor dialog gives access to all commands and their shortcuts. Use the filter to quickly locate a command.
The Customizing Editor dialog gives access to all commands and their shortcuts. Use the filter to quickly locate a command.

Shortcut Listings

Click on any of the following collapsible sections (on the title) to access a listing of the default shortcuts available for the indicated Editor.

When referring to shortcuts, use of the plus (+) symbol denotes holding multiple keys down on the keyboard in the indicated sequence. For example, Shift+F1 means holding down the Shift key then pressing the F1 key. Likewise, Shift+Ctrl+PgUp means holding down the Shift key then holding down the Ctrl key at the same time and pressing the PgUp key.
Where use of the standard mouse buttons is made, Click refers to a single click of the left-hand mouse button, Double-Click refers to two clicks of the left-hand mouse button, and Right-Click refers to a single click of the right-hand mouse button.
General Altium Environment Shortcuts
Shortcut Description More Information
F1 Access technical documentation for the resource currently under the cursor in particular commands, dialogs, panels, and objects Resource Reference
Ctrl+O Open any existing document using the Open dialog Command Page
Ctrl+F4 Close active document Command Page
Ctrl+S Save active document Command Page
Ctrl+Alt+S Save and release the defined entity Command Page
Ctrl+P Print active document Command Page
Alt+F4 Exit Altium Designer Command Page
Ctrl+Tab Cycle forward to the next open tabbed document, making it the active document in the design workspace Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+Tab Cycle backward to the previous open tabbed document, making it the active document in the design workspace Command Page
F4 Toggle the display of all floating panels Command Page
Shift+F4 Tile all open documents Command Page
Shift+F5 Toggle the focus between the last active panel and the currently active design document in the main design window Command Page
Alt+Right Arrow Step forward to the next document in the sequence of documents that have been made active in the main design window Command Page
Alt+Left Arrow Step back to the previous document, in the sequence of documents that have been made active in the main design window Command Page
F5 Refresh the active document when that document is a web-based document Command Page
Hold Ctrl while moving a panel Prevent automatic docking, grouping, or snapping -
Drag and drop from Windows Explorer into Altium Designer Open a document, project, or design workspace -
Shift+Ctrl+F3 Move to the next message (down) in the Messages panel and cross-probe to the object responsible for the message in the associated document (where supported) Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+F4 Move to the previous message (up) in the Messages panel and cross-probe to the object responsible for the message in the associated document (where supported) Command Page
Common Editor Shortcuts
Shortcut Description More Information...
Ctrl+C (or Ctrl+Insert) Copy selection Schematic Command Page
PCB Command Page
Ctrl+X (or Shift+Delete) Cut selection Schematic Command Page
PCB Command Page
Ctrl+V (or Shift+Insert) Paste selection Schematic Command Page
PCB Command Page
Delete Delete selection Schematic Command Page
PCB Command Page
Ctrl+Z (or Alt+Backspace) Undo Schematic Command Page
PCB Command Page
Ctrl+Y (or Ctrl+Backspace) Redo Schematic Command Page
PCB Command Page
SCH and SCHLIB Editor Shortcuts
Standard Shortcuts
Shortcut Description More Information...
Shift+Ctrl+V Access the Smart Paste dialog Command Page
Ctrl+F Find text Command Page
Ctrl+H Find and replace text Command Page
F3 Find next occurrence of searched text Command Page
Ctrl+A Select all Command Page
Ctrl+R Copy selected object(s) and paste repeatedly where needed in the workspace (rubber stamping) Command Page
Spacebar Rotate selection counterclockwise by 90° Command Page
Shift+Spacebar Rotate selection clockwise by 90° Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+L Align selected objects by their left edges Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+R Align selected objects by their right edges Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+H Make the horizontal spacing of selected objects equal Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+T Align selected objects by their top edges Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+B Align selected objects by their bottom edges Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+D Move selected objects to the nearest point on the current snap grid Command Page
Ctrl+Home Move the cursor to the absolute origin coordinate (0,0) for the current document Command Page
Ctrl+Q Access the Selection Memory dialog in which you can control all aspects of the selection memory feature Command Page
Ctrl+n (n = 1 to 8) Store the current selection in memory location n Command Page
Alt+n (n = 1 to 8) Recall the selection from memory location n Command Page
Shift+n (n = 1 to 8) Add the current selection to the selection already stored in memory location n Command Page
Alt+Shift+n (n = 1 to 8) Recall selection from memory location n and add it to the current selection in the workspace Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+n (n = 1 to 8) Apply filtering based on the selection set in memory location n Command Page
Shift+F Access the Find Similar Objects feature (click on an object to use as the base template) Command Page
Ctrl+PgDn Display all design objects on the current document Command Page
PgUp Zoom-in, relative to the current cursor location.

You can also use the mouse to zoom in to a region of the document by one of the following methods (where applicable and depending on how the buttons of your mouse might be assigned):

  • Hold the Ctrl key and roll the mouse wheel upward. Use of the Ctrl key is a default setting that can be changed from the System - Mouse Wheel Configuration page of the Preferences dialog.
  • Hold both the Ctrl key and the right-mouse button, then move the mouse forward.
  • Hold the right (first) and left (second) mouse buttons, then move the mouse forward.
  • Click and hold the mouse wheel, then move the mouse forward.
 Command Page
PgDn Zoom-out, relative to the current cursor location.

You can use the mouse to zoom out from a region of the document by one of the following methods (where applicable and depending on how the buttons of your mouse might be assigned):

  • Hold the Ctrl key and roll the mouse wheel downward. Use of the Ctrl key is a default setting that can be changed from the System - Mouse Wheel Configuration page of the Preferences dialog.
  • Hold both the Ctrl key and the right-mouse button, then move the mouse backward.
  • Hold the right (first) and left (second) mouse buttons, then move the mouse backward.
  • Click and hold the mouse wheel, then move the mouse backward.
 Command Page
Mouse Wheel Scroll vertically within the design workspace. This is a default setting that can be changed from the System - Mouse Wheel Configuration page of the Preferences dialog -
Shift+Mouse Wheel Scroll horizontally within the design workspace. This is a default setting that can be changed from the System - Mouse Wheel Configuration page of the Preferences dialog -
Home Redraw the view in the main design window, placing the location marked by the cursor - prior to launching the command - at the center of the window Command Page
End Refresh the screen, in effect performing a redraw of the current document, to remove any undesirable drawing update effects Command Page
Alt+F5 Toggle the display of the current document's editor between maximized and not maximized Command Page
G Cycle forward through your predefined snap grid settings Command Page
Shift+G Cycle backward through your predefined snap grid settings Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+G Turn the visible grid on or off in the current document Command Page
Ctrl+Shift Temporarily disables the grid -
Shift+E Turn the cursor electrical grid on or off Command Page
Ctrl+L Perform Board Level Annotation through use of the Board Level Annotate dialog Command Page
Ctrl+M Measure the distance between two points on the active schematic document Command Page
Left Arrow Move the cursor to the left in the current document workspace in increments of one snap grid unit Command Page
Shift+Left Arrow Move the cursor to the left in the current document workspace in increments of ten snap grid units Command Page
Right Arrow Move the cursor to the right in the current document workspace in increments of one snap grid unit Command Page
Shift+Right Arrow Move the cursor to the right in the current document workspace in increments of ten snap grid units Command Page
Up Arrow Move the cursor upwards in the current document workspace in increments of one snap grid unit Command Page
Shift+Up Arrow Move the cursor upwards in the current document workspace in increments of ten snap grid units Command Page
Down Arrow Move the cursor downwards in the current document workspace in increments of one snap grid unit Command Page
Shift+Down Arrow Move the cursor downwards in the current document workspace in increments of ten snap grid units Command Page
Ctrl+Left Arrow Move the current selection (one or more selected design objects) to the left in the current document workspace in increments of one snap grid unit Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+Left Arrow Move the current selection (one or more selected design objects) to the left in the current document workspace in increments of 10 snap grid units Command Page
Ctrl+Right Arrow Move the current selection (one or more selected design objects) to the right in the current document workspace in increments of one snap grid unit Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+Right Arrow Move the current selection (one or more selected design objects) to the right in the current document workspace in increments of 10 snap grid units Command Page
Ctrl+Up Arrow Move the current selection (one or more selected design objects) upwards in the current document workspace in increments of one snap grid unit Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+Up Arrow Move the current selection (one or more selected design objects) upwards in the current document workspace in increments of 10 snap grid units Command Page
Ctrl+Down Arrow Move the current selection (one or more selected design objects) downwards in the current document workspace in increments of one snap grid unit Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+Down Arrow Move the current selection (one or more selected design objects) downwards in the current document workspace in increments of 10 snap grid units Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+Click, Hold&Drag Move the object currently under the cursor Command Page
Ctrl+Click, Hold&Drag Drag the electrical object currently under the cursor while maintaining connectivity with other electrical objects Command Page
Shift+Click Change the selection status of the object currently under the cursor without affecting the status of other objects Command Page
Click Select/deselect the object currently under the cursor Command Page
Double-Click Modify the properties of the object currently under the cursor Command Page
Click (on an object), Hold&Drag Move the single object currently under the cursor (or group of selected objects if the object is part of that selection) Command Page
Click (away from objects), Hold&Drag (left-to-right) Select all objects that fall completely within the bounds of the selection area Command Page
Click (away from objects), Hold&Drag (right-to-left) Select all objects that fall completely inside the selection area or are touched by its boundary Command Page
Right-Click, Hold&Drag Display the slider (panning) hand cursor then drag to move your view of the workspace Command Page
Right-Click Access context menu for workspace or object currently under the cursor. If currently within an interactive command, will escape from the current operation -
F12 Toggle the display of the SCH Filter panel or the SCHLIB Filter panel accordingly -
Shift+F12 Toggle the display of the SCH List panel or the SCHLIB List panel accordingly -
Shift+C Clear the filter that is currently being applied to the active document Command Page
F2 Edit selected text object in-place (direct editing) Command Page
Alt+Ctrl+A Add a new comment thread to a defined area of the active document. Before you can start using the comment feature, ensure that you have opened (checked out) a Managed Project and are working on one of its source schematic documents Command Page
Alt+Ctrl+P Add a new comment thread to a specified point in the active document. Before you can start using the comment feature, ensure that you have opened (checked out) a Managed Project and are working on one of its source schematic documents Command Page
Alt+Ctrl+C Add a new comment thread to a selected component in the active document. Before you can start using the comment feature, ensure that you have opened (checked out) a Managed Project and are working on one of its source schematic documents Command Page
Alt+Ctrl+R Add a new comment review to a selected comment in the active document Command Page
F5  Visually toggle the Net Color Override feature on or off Command Page
F11  Toggle the display of the Properties panel accordingly Command Page
PP Use to open the Components panel from within a Schematic document -

Interactive Shortcuts

Note that the shortcuts available will depend on the interactive command and the specific design object that is the focus of that command.
Shortcut Description
F1 Access the Graphical Editing Hot key List dialog, which provides a listing of the shortcuts available (but that cannot be launched), as well as access to the documentation for the currently running command
Shift+F1 Access a menu that lists all valid shortcuts for the present stage of the currently running interactive command
Enter Acts like a Click of the mouse when placing/moving an object
PgUp Zoom in
PgDn Zoom out
End Refresh the screen
Home Change display to have the cursor (with the attached object being placed/moved) at the center of the design window
Left Arrow Move the cursor (with the attached object being placed/moved) to the left in the current document workspace, in increments of one snap grid unit
Shift+Left Arrow Move the cursor (with the attached object being placed/moved) to the left in the current document workspace, in increments of 10 snap grid units
Right Arrow Move the cursor (with the attached object being placed/moved) to the right in the current document workspace, in increments of one snap grid unit
Shift+Right Arrow Move the cursor (with the attached object being placed/moved) to the right in the current document workspace, in increments of 10 snap grid units
Up Arrow Move the cursor (with the attached object being placed/moved) upwards in the current document workspace, in increments of one snap grid unit
Shift+Up Arrow Move the cursor (with the attached object being placed/moved) upwards in the current document workspace, in increments of 10 snap grid units
Down Arrow Move the cursor (with the attached object being placed/moved) downwards in the current document workspace, in increments of one snap grid unit
Shift+Down Arrow Move the cursor (with the attached object being placed/moved) downwards in the current document workspace, in increments of 10 snap grid units
Tab Access an associated Properties panel mode from where properties for the object being placed/moved can be changed on-the-fly
X Mirror the object being placed/moved along the X-axis
Y Mirror the object being placed/moved along the Y-axis
Alt Constrain the direction of movement to the horizontal or vertical axis depending on the initial direction of movement
Shift When auto-panning while placing/moving an object to pan at higher speed
Esc Escape from the current process - either a stage of the currently running interactive command, or the command itself
Spacebar
  • Rotates the object being placed/moved counterclockwise. Rotation is in increments of 90°
  • Toggles start and end sub-modes when placing a Wire/Bus/Signal Harness in 90 Degree or 45 Degree placement modes
  • Cycles through placement modes when placing a Line
  • Changes the wiring mode for any connected wires, buses, or signal harnesses when dragging an electrical object
Shift+Spacebar
  • Rotates the object being placed/moved clockwise. Rotation is in increments of 90°
  • Cycles through placement modes when placing a Wire/Bus/Signal Harness
  • Changes the wiring mode for any connected wires, buses, or signal harnesses when dragging an electrical object
Shift+Ctrl+Spacebar Rotates the object being dragged clockwise. Rotation is in increments of 90°
Insert
  • Copies attributes of the object currently under the cursor while placing an object of the same type
  • Adds a vertex while placing a Wire, Line, Bus, Signal Harness, or Polygon
Click&Hold+Insert On a selected segment of a placed Wire, Line, Bus, or Signal Harness or an edge of a placed Polygon to add a vertex at that point
Click&Hold+Delete On a vertex of a placed Wire, Line, Bus, Signal Harness or Polygon to remove that vertex
Spacebar Cycle trhough the available vertex action modes (Deform, Scale, and Smooth) during sliding
Backspace or Delete Remove the last placed segment, while placing a Wire, Line, Bus, Signal Harness, or Polygon
+ (on the numeric keypad) Enlarges the size of the IEEE Symbol currently being placed/moved
- (on the numeric keypad) Reduces the size of the IEEE Symbol currently being placed/moved
Alt+Click On a net object, to highlight all objects associated to that net across all sheets of the active design project
Ctrl+Double-Click
  • On a Sheet Entry to jump to the corresponding port on the sub-sheet referenced by that entry's parent Sheet Symbol
  • On a Port to jump to the corresponding sheet entry in the parent sheet symbol that references the sub-sheet on which the port resides
  • On a port to jump to another port with the same name, on the indicated target schematic document (only available when the Net Identifier Scope - set on the Options tab of the Project Options dialog - is set to Flat, or Global)
  • On a sheet symbol to descend the design hierarchy to open the child sheet referenced by that symbol
S Relocate the currently selected Sheet Entry (or entries) that are being moved, to the directly opposite side of the parent Sheet Symbol
V Reverse order while moving two or more selected Sheet Entries
T
  • Toggle IO Type while moving one or more selected Sheet Entries
  • Toggle IO Type for all Sheet Entries while graphically resizing the parent Sheet Symbol
, Click Cross-probe from a chosen object on the current schematic document to its corresponding counterpart on the PCB document remaining in the source document (Continuous Mode)
, Ctrl+Click Cross-probe from a chosen object on the current schematic document to its corresponding counterpart on the PCB document making the target document the active document (Jump To Mode)
Sub-Menu Shortcuts
Shortcut Gives Access To...
A the Align sub-menu
B the Toolbars sub-menu
J the Jump sub-menu
K the Panels sub-menu
M the Move sub-menu
O the right-click Options sub-menu
S the Select sub-menu
X the DeSelect sub-menu
Y the right-click Filter sub-menu
Z a pop-up menu with zoom commands
PCB and PCBLIB Editor Shortcuts
Standard Shortcuts
Shortcut Description More Information...
Tab

With an initial object selected in the design, extend the selection to include the next higher-level object (or objects), based on logical hierarchy.

In addition, the feature caters for selection extension across multiple objects selected across different nets in the design.
 Command Page
Shift+Tab

Single select the next design object in a set of co-located (overlapping) objects without utilizing a selection pop-up window

To use this command, ensure that the Display popup selection dialog option is disabled on the PCB Editor - General page of the Preferences dialog.
 Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+X Enable Cross Select Mode Command Page
Ctrl+A Select all objects on the current document Command Page
Ctrl+B Select all objects that reside within the boundary of the defined board shape Command Page
Ctrl+H Select all electrical objects that are connected to the same piece of copper Command Page
Ctrl+R Copy selected object(s) and paste repeatedly where needed in the workspace (rubber stamping) Command Page
Alt+Insert Paste objects onto the current layer regardless of their original layer assignments Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+L Align selected objects by their left edges Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+R Align selected objects by their right edges Command Page
Alt+Shift+L Align selected design objects by their left edges while maintaining adequate spacing in observance with applicable design rules Command Page
Alt+Shift+R Align selected design objects by their right edges while maintaining adequate spacing in observance with applicable design rules Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+H Make the horizontal spacing of selected objects equal Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+T Align selected objects by their top edges Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+B Align selected objects by their bottom edges Command Page
Shift+Alt+I Align selected design objects by their top edges while maintaining adequate spacing in observance with applicable design rules Command Page
Shift+Alt+N Align selected design objects by their bottom edges while maintaining adequate spacing in observance with applicable design rules Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+V Make the vertical spacing of selected objects equal Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+D Move selected components to the nearest point on the required component placement grid Command Page
Ctrl+Home Move the cursor to the absolute origin at the lower-left corner of the workspace Command Page
Ctrl+End Move the cursor to the relative origin of the current document (PCB document), or the location of the component reference point (PCB Library document) Command Page
Ctrl+Q
  • In the workspace to access the Selection Memory dialog, from where you can control all aspects of the selection memory feature
  • In a dialog or panel to toggle the measurement units (in the dialog or panel only), between metric (mm) and imperial (mil)
 Command Page
Ctrl+n (n = 1 to 8) Store the current selection in memory location n Command Page
Alt+n (n = 1 to 8) Recall the selection from memory location n Command Page
Shift+n (n = 1 to 8) Add the current selection to the selection already stored in memory location n Command Page
Alt+Shift+n (n = 1 to 8) Recall selection from memory location n and add it to the current selection in the workspace Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+n (n = 1 to 8) Apply filtering based on the selection set in memory location n Command Page
Shift+A ActiveRoute selected connections Command Page
Shift+F Access the Find Similar Objects feature (click on an object to use as the base template) Command Page
1 Switch the display of the PCB workspace to Board Planning Mode Command Page
2 Switch the display of the PCB workspace to 2D Layout Mode Command Page
3 Switch the display of the PCB workspace to 3D Layout Mode Command Page
Ctrl+Alt+2 Switch the display of the PCB workspace to 2D Layout Mode and see the same location and orientation of the board as you switch. Command Page
Ctrl+Alt+3 Switch the display of the PCB workspace to 3D Layout Mode and see the same location and orientation of the board as you switch. Command Page
Ctrl+PgDn Display all design objects on the current document Command Page
PgUp Zoom-in, relative to the current cursor location.

You can also use the mouse to zoom in to a region of the document by one of the following methods (where applicable and depending on how the buttons of your mouse might be assigned):

  • Hold the Ctrl key and roll the mouse wheel upward. Use of the Ctrl key is a default setting that can be changed from the System - Mouse Wheel Configuration page of the Preferences dialog.
  • Hold both the Ctrl key and the right mouse button, then move the mouse forward.
  • Hold the right (first) and left (second) mouse buttons, then move the mouse forward.
  • Click and hold the mouse wheel, then move the mouse forward.
 Command Page
PgDn Zoom-out, relative to the current cursor location.

You can use the mouse to zoom out from a region of the document by one of the following methods (where applicable and depending on how the buttons of your mouse might be assigned):

  • Hold the Ctrl key and roll the mouse wheel downward. Use of the Ctrl key is a default setting that can be changed from the System - Mouse Wheel Configuration page of the Preferences dialog.
  • Hold both the Ctrl key and the right-mouse button, then move the mouse backward.
  • Hold the right (first) and left (second) mouse buttons, then move the mouse backward.
  • Click and hold the mouse wheel, then move the mouse backward.
 Command Page
Shift+PgUp Zoom-in, relative to the current cursor location and in progressively smaller steps Command Page
Shift+PgDn Zoom-out, relative to the current cursor location and in progressively larger steps Command Page
Ctrl+PgUp Set the magnification of the current document to 400% Command Page
Mouse Wheel Scroll vertically within the design workspace. This is a default setting that can be changed from the System - Mouse Wheel Configuration page of the Preferences dialog -
Shift+Mouse Wheel Scroll horizontally within the design workspace. This is a default setting that can be changed from the System - Mouse Wheel Configuration page of the Preferences dialog -
Home Redraw the view in the main design window, placing the location marked by the cursor - prior to launching the command - at the center of the window Command Page
End Refresh the screen, in effect performing a redraw of the current document, to remove any undesirable drawing update effects Command Page
Alt+Left Arrow

Jump to, and make active, the previous component in the current library document

After reaching the first component in the list, the command will not cycle to the last component again.
 Command Page
Alt+Right Arrow

Jump to, and make active, the next component in the current library document

After reaching the last component in the list, the command will not cycle to the first component again.
 Command Page
Alt+End Redraw the current layer of the current document, to remove any undesirable drawing update effects Command Page
Alt+F5 Toggle the display of the current document's editor between maximized and not maximized Command Page
F5 Visually toggle the Net Color Override feature on or off Command Page
Shift+H Toggle the Heads Up Display on or off Command Page
Shift+G Toggle Heads Up Display tracking on or off Command Page
Insert Resets the Delta Origin point for the Heads Up Display feature to 0,0 Command Page
Shift+Z Toggle the 3D model visibility in the current PCB document Command Page  
Shift+D Toggle the display of the Delta coordinates within the Heads Up Display Command Page
Shift+E Cycle to the next mode of object Hotspot Snapping Command Page
Ctrl+G Access the dedicated grid editor dialog for the snap grid currently under the cursor Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+G Set the X (horizontal) and Y (vertical) step values - for the default Global Board Snap Grid - simultaneously to a chosen value Command Page
Ctrl+Shift Temporarily disables the grid -
Shift+H Toggle on/off whether the cursor on a grid will snap to the active workspace grid. Once enabled, the cursor will pull or snap to the nearest snap group location -
Q Toggle the measurement units for the current document between metric (mm) and imperial (mil) Command Page
Shift+O

Toggle the display of the Difference Map Overlay in the main design workspace On or Off

This command is available only provided a comparison has been performed from the Collaborate, Compare and Merge panel.
 Command Page
F6 Toggle the state of the current cell containing detected differences between checked and unchecked when using Altium Designer's Collaborative PCB Design functionality (where a comparison has been performed from the Collaborate, Compare and Merge panel) Command Page
F7 Navigate to the previous cell containing one or more detected differences when using Altium Designer's Collaborative PCB Design functionality (where a comparison has been performed from the Collaborate, Compare and Merge panel) Command Page
F8 Navigate to the next cell containing one or more detected differences when using Altium Designer's Collaborative PCB Design functionality (where a comparison has been performed from the Collaborate, Compare and Merge panel) Command Page
L Access the Layers And Colors tab of the View Configuration panel in which you can configure the display of layers for the board and the colors assigned to those layers Command Page
Ctrl+D Access the View Options tab of the View Configuration panel in which you can configure the mode used to display each of the various design items within the workspace Command Page
Shift+V Access the Board Insight pop-up, listing all violations (of defined Design Rules) currently under the cursor Command Page
Shift+X Access the Board Insight pop-up, listing all components and/or net objects currently under the cursor Command Page
Ctrl+M Measure and display the distance between any two points in the current document Command Page
Left Arrow Move the cursor to the left in the current document workspace in increments of one snap grid unit Command Page
Shift+Left Arrow Move the cursor to the left in the current document workspace in increments of 10 snap grid units Command Page
Right Arrow Move the cursor to the right in the current document workspace in increments of one snap grid unit Command Page
Shift+Right Arrow Move the cursor to the right in the current document workspace, in increments of 10 snap grid units Command Page
Up Arrow Move the cursor upwards in the current document workspace, in increments of one snap grid unit Command Page
Shift+Up Arrow Move the cursor upwards in the current document workspace, in increments of 10 snap grid units Command Page
Down Arrow Move the cursor downwards in the current document workspace, in increments of one snap grid unit Command Page
Shift+Down Arrow Move the cursor downwards in the current document workspace, in increments of 10 snap grid units Command Page
Ctrl+Left Arrow Move the current selection (one or more selected design objects) to the left in the current document workspace in increments of one snap grid unit Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+Left Arrow Move the current selection (one or more selected design objects) to the left in the current document workspace, in increments of 10 snap grid units Command Page
Ctrl+Right Arrow Move the current selection (one or more selected design objects) to the right in the current document workspace, in increments of one snap grid unit Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+Right Arrow Move the current selection (one or more selected design objects) to the right in the current document workspace, in increments of 10 snap grid units Command Page
Ctrl+Up Arrow Move the current selection (one or more selected design objects) upwards in the current document workspace, in increments of one snap grid unit Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+Up Arrow Move the current selection (one or more selected design objects) upwards in the current document workspace, in increments of 10 snap grid units Command Page
Ctrl+Down Arrow Move the current selection (one or more selected design objects) downwards in the current document workspace, in increments of one snap grid unit Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+Down Arrow Move the current selection (one or more selected design objects) downwards in the current document workspace, in increments of 10 snap grid units Command Page
Shift+Click Change the selection status of the object currently under the cursor without affecting the status of other objects Command Page
Click Select/deselect the object currently under the cursor Command Page
Ctrl+Click
  • On a net object to highlight the entire routed net
  • On a layer tab to highlight all content on that layer
  • In free space to clear current highlighting
 -
Shift+Ctrl+Click
  • On a net object to highlight the entire routed net in addition to the routed nets already highlighted (cumulative routed net highlighting)
  • On a layer tab to highlight all content on that layer in addition to the content already highlighted on other layers (cumulative layer highlighting)
 -
Alt+Click On a connection to select that connection -
Alt+Shift+Click On a connection to select that connection in addition to the connections already selected (cumulative connection selection) -
Alt+Click&Drag (from right-to-left) To select all connections touched by the dragged rectangle -
Alt+Ctrl While hovering the cursor over a layer tab to highlight the content of that layer only -
Shift+Ctrl+Click&Hold Create a vertex (or break) in a track segment at the current cursor position Command Page
Double-Click Modify the properties of the object currently under the cursor Command Page
Click (on an object), Hold&Drag Move the single object currently under the cursor (or group of selected objects if the object is part of that selection) Command Page
Click (away from objects), Hold&Drag (left-to-right) Select all objects that fall completely within the bounds of the selection area Command Page
Click (away from objects), Hold&Drag (right-to-left) Select all objects that fall completely inside the selection area or are touched by its boundary Command Page
Ctrl+Hold&Drag (left-to-right) Select all component pads that fall completely within the bounds of the selection area -
Ctrl+Hold&Drag (right-to-left) Select all component pads that fall completely inside the selection area or are touched by its boundary -
Right-Click, Hold&Drag Display the slider (panning) hand cursor then drag to move your view of the workspace Command Page
Right-Click Access context menu for workspace or object currently under the cursor. If currently within an interactive command, will escape from the current operation -
F11 Toggle the display of the Properties panel accordingly -
F12 Toggle the display of the PCB Filter panel or the PCBLIB Filter panel accordingly -
Shift+F12 Toggle the display of the PCB List panel or the PCBLIB List panel accordingly -
Shift+C Clear the filter that is currently being applied to the active document Command Page
Shift+S

Cycle through the available single layer viewing modes

The available modes are determined by enabling the corresponding options in the Available Single Layer Modes region on the PCB Editor - Board Insight Display page of the Preferences dialog.
 Command Page
+ (on the numeric keypad) Switch to the next enabled layer Command Page
- (on the numeric keypad) Switch to the previous enabled layer Command Page
* (on numeric keypad) Switch to the next enabled signal layer Command Page
Shift+* (on numeric keypad) Switch to the previous enabled signal layer Command Page
Backspace

Delete a single, selected end-of-route object (component-free track, arc, via, or pad). The singular routing object connected to the deleted object will be automatically selected and ready for subsequent deletion.

By using the command repeatedly, you are able to incrementally unwind the routed path in the same way as using the Backspace shortcut while interactively routing.
 Command Page
Ctrl+Delete

Delete one or more selected routing objects (component-free tracks, arcs, vias, and pads) on the current document. All routing objects connected to those deleted will be automatically selected and ready for subsequent deletion

By using the command repeatedly, you are able to incrementally unwind the routed path in both directions.
 Command Page
Alt+Ctrl+A Add a new comment thread to a defined area of the active document. Before you can start using the comment feature, ensure that you have opened (checked out) a Managed Project and are working on its PCB document Command Page
Alt+Ctrl+P Add a new comment thread to a specified point in the active document. Before you can start using the comment feature, ensure that you have opened (checked out) a Managed Project and are working on its PCB document Command Page
Alt+Ctrl+C Add a new comment thread to a selected component in the active document. Before you can start using the comment feature, ensure that you have opened (checked out) a Managed Project and are working on its PCB document Command Page
General Interactive Shortcuts
Note that the shortcuts available will depend on the interactive command and the specific design object that is the focus of that command.
Shortcut Description
F1 Access the Graphical Editing Hot key List dialog that provides a listing of the shortcuts available (but that cannot be launched) as well as access to the documentation for the currently running command
Shift+F1 Access a menu that lists all valid shortcuts for the present stage of the currently running interactive command
Enter Acts like a Click of the mouse when placing/moving an object
PgUp Zoom in
PgDn Zoom out
End Refresh the screen
Home Change display to have the cursor (with the attached object being placed/moved) at the center of the design window
Left Arrow Move the cursor (with the attached object being placed/moved) to the left in the current document workspace in increments of one snap grid unit
Shift+Left Arrow Move the cursor (with the attached object being placed/moved) to the left in the current document workspace in increments of 10 snap grid units
Right Arrow Move the cursor (with the attached object being placed/moved) to the right in the current document workspace in increments of one snap grid unit
Shift+Right Arrow Move the cursor (with the attached object being placed/moved) to the right in the current document workspace in increments of 10 snap grid units
Up Arrow Move the cursor (with the attached object being placed/moved) upwards in the current document workspace in increments of one snap grid unit
Shift+Up Arrow Move the cursor (with the attached object being placed/moved) upwards in the current document workspace in increments of 10 snap grid units
Down Arrow Move the cursor (with the attached object being placed/moved) downwards in the current document workspace in increments of one snap grid unit
Shift+Down Arrow Move the cursor (with the attached object being placed/moved) downwards in the current document workspace in increments of 10 snap grid units
Tab Access the associated mode of the Properties panel in which properties for the object being placed/moved can be changed on-the-fly
X Mirror the object being placed/moved along the X-axis
Y Mirror the object being placed/moved along the Y-axis
L Flip the object being placed/moved to the other side of the board
Alt Constrain the direction of movement to the horizontal or vertical axis depending on the initial direction of movement
Shift When auto-panning while placing/moving an object, use to pan at higher speed
+ (on the numeric keypad) Switch to the next enabled layer
- (on the numeric keypad) Switch to the previous enabled layer
* (on numeric keypad) Switch to the next enabled signal layer
Shift+* (on numeric keypad) Switch to the previous enabled signal layer
Esc Escape from the current process - either a stage of the currently running interactive command or the command itself
Spacebar Rotates the object being placed/moved counterclockwise. Rotation is in accordance with the value for the Rotation Step defined on the PCB Editor – General page of the Preferences dialog
Shift+Spacebar Rotates the object being placed/moved clockwise. Rotation is in accordance with the value for the Rotation Step defined on the PCB Editor – General page of the Preferences dialog
N Toggle the display of the connection lines (ratsnest) while moving a component
, Click Cross-probe from a chosen object on the current PCB document to its corresponding counterpart on the relevant schematic source document while remaining in the PCB document (Continuous Mode)
, Ctrl+Click Cross-probe from a chosen object on the current PCB document to its corresponding counterpart on the relevant schematic document, making the target schematic document the active document (Jump To Mode)
Hold Ctrl key down When moving a component to view dynamic alignment guides (green indicator lines) in relation to the boundaries of this and nearby components
Hold Shift key down When moving a component to view dynamic alignment guides (green indicator lines) in relation to the pads of this and nearby components
R When moving a component to cycle through component conflict resolution modes (Ignore Obstacles, Push Obstacles, Avoid Obstacles)
Click&Drag On a via in a stack of vias, use to move the entire stack to a new location
M+V On a selected object, opens the Get X-Y Offsets dialog to move one or more currently selected objects by a specified distance in the horizontal (X) and/or vertical (Y) planes.
Ctrl+Click&Drag On a via in a stack of vias, use to move just that via to a new location (and not the entire stack)
Interactive Polygonal Object Shortcuts
The following additional shortcuts relate to placing/editing polygonal-shaped objects - Polygon Pour, Region, Coverlay Polygon, Polygonal Room, Extruded 3D Body, Board Shape.
Shortcut Description
Shift+Spacebar Cycle through the five available corner modes (45 degree, 45 degree with arc, 90 degree, 90 degree with arc, and Any Angle) when placing a polygonal-based object
Spacebar Toggle between corner direction sub-modes (for the relevant corner modes) when placing a polygonal-based object
, Reduce the radius of the arc (by 1mil/0.025mm increments) when in arc cornering placement mode
Shift+, Reduce the radius of the arc (by 10mil/0.254mm increments) when in arc cornering placement mode
. Increase the radius of the arc (by 1mil/0.025mm increments) when in arc cornering placement mode
Shift+. Increase the radius of the arc (by 10mil/0.254mm increments) when in arc cornering placement mode
Ctrl+Click&Hold Anywhere along an edge of a selected polygonal-based object away from editing handles to insert a new end vertex
Click&Hold+Delete On an end vertex of a selected polygonal-based object, use to remove that vertex
Backspace Remove the last placed vertex
Interactive Routing Shortcuts
Shortcut Description
Tab Access the Interactive Routing mode of the Properties panel in which you can change routing preferences on-the-fly, as well as modify properties of the track being placed
Shift+Spacebar

Cycle through the five available corner modes (45 degree, 45 degree with arc, 90 degree, 90 degree with arc, and Any Angle)

If the Restrict To 90/45 option is enabled on the PCB Editor - Interactive Routing page of the Preferences dialog, the arc cornering modes and the Any Angle mode will not be available.
Spacebar Toggle between corner direction sub-modes (for the relevant corner modes)
, Reduce the radius of the arc (by 1mil/0.025mm increments) when in arc cornering placement mode
Shift+, Reduce the radius of the arc (by 10mil/0.254mm increments) when in arc cornering placement mode
. Increase the radius of the arc (by 1mil/0.025mm increments) when in arc cornering placement mode
Shift+. Increase the radius of the arc (by 10mil/0.254mm increments) when in arc cornering placement mode
Click or Enter Commits the routing up to the current cursor position and places the tracks
Backspace Unwinds the last committed route back to its starting point. If any objects had been pushed through placing the last segment, they are moved back to their original positions
Esc Terminates the current route. Any routing that has been committed before calling the termination is retained
Ctrl+Click Auto-complete segments to target
1 Toggle Look-Ahead placement mode on/off
Shift+R Cycle through the currently enabled routing conflict resolution modes. The modes available (including Walkaround Obstacles, Push Obstacles, Ignore Obstacles, Hug and Push Obstacles, AutoRoute Current Layer, AutoRoute MultiLayer, and Stop at First Obstacle) can be defined on the PCB Editor - Interactive Routing page of the Preferences dialog and modified on-the-fly (press Tab to access the Interactive Routing mode of the Properties panel)
5 Toggle Follow Mouse Trail mode
Shift+D Toggle automatic loop removal feature on/off
Ctrl+W Toggle the display of clearance boundaries
Ctrl+Alt+G Use to improve the quality of the selected routes by reducing the overall length and number of corners
Shift+W Choose the required track width from available predefined favorite routing widths in the Track mode of the Properties panel
Shift+V Choose the required via size from available predefined via sizes, sourced from one or more associated via templates using the Choose Via Sizes dialog
3

Cycle through routing width sources (User Choice --> Rule Minimum --> Rule Preferred --> Rule Maximum)

With User Choice, routing widths are defined and managed in the Favorite Interactive Routing Widths dialog.
4

Cycle through via size sources (User Choice --> Rule Minimum --> Rule Preferred --> Rule Maximum)

With User Choice, via sizes are defined through via templates - locally to the active PCB document or through associated Pad Via libraries (*.PvLib).
+ (on the numeric keypad) Switch to the next enabled (and rule-permitted) layer, dropping a via
- (on the numeric keypad) Switch to the previous enabled (and rule-permitted) layer, dropping a via
* (on numeric keypad) Switch to the next enabled (and rule-permitted) signal layer, dropping a via
1-9 (on numeric keypad) Switch to routing on the corresponding routing (signal) layer (dropping a via to do so). The number can be obtained from the prefix to the layer name ([n]), on the layer tab at the bottom of the main workspace. Alternatively, the number can be acquired from the pop-up window accessed through the Ctrl+L shortcut.
Ctrl+L Access a pop-up window of available routing layers. Click an entry to switch to that layer (dropping a via to do so). The number to the right of each entry ([n]) can be used to switch to that layer directly, without popping this window.
L

When routing from a multi-layer pad or via, switches the layer for the current connection to the next signal layer defined for that pad/via

This feature works only when the routing is started from the pad/via and before the first segment is committed.
/ Add fanout via; tool immediately waits for next fanout to route and via to place
2 Add a via without changing layer
6 Change routing via start/end layers
7 Cycles through the connections available for routing if the current pad has multiple connections
9 Switches the cursor position from the currently selected pad or track to the target pad or track. If the location of the object being switched to is not in the current window, the view jumps and centers around the new cursor position
Shift+C

Enable subnet swapping

If no swappable target subnets are available, a message to this effect will be presented in the Messages panel.
Shift+T Swap target subnet - cycles through all swappable target subnets
While interactively routing, you can enter LEGACY length tuning mode by using the Shift+A shortcut. The following additional shortcuts are available within that mode:
Shift+A End the accordion
Shift+G Toggle display of the length tuning gauge on/off
Click or Enter Commits the routing up to the current cursor position and places the tracks
Backspace Remove last segment or accordion
Esc Terminate current route. Any routing that has been committed before calling the termination is retained
Shift+R

Cycle through the currently enabled routing conflict resolution modes. The modes available (including Walkaround Obstacles, Push Obstacles, Hug and Push Obstacles, Ignore obstacles, and Stop at First Obstacle) can be defined on the PCB Editor - Interactive Routing page of the Preferences dialog.
Shift+W Choose the required track width from available predefined favorite routing widths in the Favorite Interactive Routing Widths dialog
Tab Access the Ineractive Routing mode of the Properties panel in which you can define the approach used for defining the target length and to modify properties of the interactive routing on-the-fly
, Decrease the amplitude of the accordion pattern by the amount defined for the Amplitude Increment in the Accordion mode of the Properties panel
. Increase the amplitude of the accordion pattern by the amount defined for the Amplitude Increment in the Accordion mode of the Properties panel
1 Decrease the corner (miter) radius (when using the Mitered with Lines or Mitered with Arcs accordion patterns)
2 Increase the corner (miter) radius (when using the Mitered with Lines or Mitered with Arcs accordion patterns)
3 Decrease the gap (pitch) for the accordion pattern by the amount defined for the Gap Increment in the Accordion mode of the Properties panel
4 Increase the gap (pitch) for the accordion pattern by the amount defined for the Gap Increment in the Accordion mode of the Properties panel
P Cycle forward through the supported tuning patterns. Available patterns are: Mitered with Lines, Mitered with Arcs, and Rounded
Shift+P Cycle backward through the supported tuning patterns. Available patterns are: Mitered with Lines, Mitered with Arcs, and Rounded
Y Toggle Amplitude Direction (starting direction) for the accordion pattern
Shift+Spacebar Cycle through the routing corner styles
Shift+B Enter the desired bus routing
Interactive Differential Pair Routing Shortcuts
Shortcut Description
Tab Access the Differential Pair Routing mode of the Properties panel from where you can change routing preferences on-the-fly, as well as modify properties of the track being placed
Shift+Spacebar

Cycle through the four available corner modes (45 degree, 45 degree with arc, 90 degree, 90 degree with arc)

If the Restrict To 90/45 option is enabled, on the PCB Editor - Interactive Routing page of the Preferences dialog, the arc cornering modes will not be available.
Spacebar Toggle between corner direction sub-modes (for the relevant corner modes)
, Reduce the radius of the arc (by 1mil/0.025mm increments) when in arc cornering placement mode
Shift+, Reduce the radius of the arc (by 10mil/0.254mm increments) when in arc cornering placement mode
. Increase the radius of the arc (by 1mil/0.025mm increments) when in arc cornering placement mode
Shift+. Increase the radius of the arc (by 10mil/0.254mm increments) when in arc cornering placement mode
Click or Enter Commits the routing up to the current cursor position and places the tracks
Backspace Remove last segment
Esc Terminate current route. Any routing that has been committed before calling the termination is retained
Shift+R

Cycle through the currently enabled routing conflict resolution modes. The modes available (including Walkaround Obstacles, Push Obstacles, Hug and Push Obstacles, Ignore obstacles, and Stop at First Obstacle) can be defined on the PCB Editor - Interactive Routing page of the Preferences dialog, and modified on-the-fly (press Tab to access the Differential Pair Routing mode of the Properties panel)

When interactively routing differential pairs, the AutoRoute On Current Layer and AutoRoute On Multiple Layers modes are not available.
Shift+Spacebar During sliding, use to cycle through the three modes (45 Degree, Mixed, and Rounded).
Shift+D Toggle automatic loop removal feature on/off
Ctrl+W Toggle the display of clearance boundaries
Shift+W Choose the required track width from available predefined favorite routing widths in the Track mode of the Properties panel
Shift+V Choose the required via size from available predefined via sizes, sourced from one or more associated via templates. The Choose Via Sizes dialog will appear with which to do so
3

Cycle through routing width sources (User Choice --> Rule Minimum --> Rule Preferred --> Rule Maximum)

With User Choice, routing widths are defined and managed in the Favorite Interactive Routing Widths dialog. The rule-based values come from the applicable Differential Pairs Routing rule.
4

Cycle through via size sources (User Choice --> Rule Minimum --> Rule Preferred --> Rule Maximum)

With User Choice, via sizes are defined through via templates - locally to the active PCB document, or through associated Pad Via libraries (*.PvLib).
5 Cycle through available via patterns (aligned or staggered)
6 Cycle through the defined Gap values available for the differential pair being routed, through the applicable Differential Pairs Routing rule (Min Gap --> Preferred Gap --> Max Gap)
Shift+B Cycle through the defined Width-Gap value pairings available for the differential pair being routed, through the applicable Differential Pairs Routing rule (Min Width-Min Gap --> Preferred Width-Preferred Gap --> Max Width-Max Gap)
+ (on the numeric keypad) Switch to the next enabled (and rule-permitted) layer, dropping a via
- (on the numeric keypad) Switch to the previous enabled (and rule-permitted) layer, dropping a via
* (on numeric keypad) Switch to the next enabled (and rule-permitted) signal layer, dropping a via
1-9 (on numeric keypad) Switch to routing on the corresponding routing (signal) layer (dropping a via to do so). The number can be obtained from the prefix to the layer name ([n]), on the layer tab at the bottom of the main workspace. Alternatively, the number can be acquired from the pop-up window accessed through the Ctrl+L shortcut.
Ctrl+L Access a pop-up window of available routing layers. Click an entry to switch to that layer (dropping a via to do so). The number to the right of each entry ([n]) can be used to switch to that layer directly, without popping this window.
L

When routing from a multi-layer pad or via, switches the layer for the current connection to the next signal layer defined for that pad/via

This feature works only when the routing is started from the pads/vias and before the first segments are committed.
/ Add fanout via, tool immediately waits for next fanout to route and via to place
2 Add a via without changing layer
Shift+C

Enable subnet swapping

If no swappable target subnets are available, a message to this effect will be presented in the Messages panel.
Shift+T Swap target subnet - cycles through all swappable target subnets
Component Dragging Shortcuts
Shortcut Description
Shift+R Cycle through the enabled modes as you route
Shift+Tab

Cycle through the four different component

selection modes
N Display or hide connection lines
Shift+Ctrl+G

Cycle Glossing Effort mode

(Weak --> Strong --> Off)
Ctrl+Shift Temporarily disables gloss cycling
Ctrl+Shift+G Cycle through the three glossing settings (Off, Weak, and Strong) during routing or sliding.
Interactive Multi-Routing Shortcuts
Shortcut Description
Tab Access the Interactive Routing mode of the Properties panel in which you can change routing preferences on-the-fly, as well as modify properties of the bus routing being placed
Shift+Spacebar

Cycle through the four available corner modes (45 degree, 45 degree with arc, 90 degree, 90 degree with arc)

If the Restrict To 90/45 option is enabled on the PCB Editor - Interactive Routing page of the Preferences dialog, the arc cornering modes will not be available.
Spacebar Toggle between corner direction sub-modes (for the relevant corner modes)
, Reduce the radius of the arc (by 1mil/0.025mm increments) when in arc cornering placement mode
Shift+, Reduce the radius of the arc (by 10mil/0.254mm increments) when in arc cornering placement mode
. Increase the radius of the arc (by 1mil/0.025mm increments) when in arc cornering placement mode
Shift+. Increase the radius of the arc (by 10mil/0.254mm increments) when in arc cornering placement mode
Click or Enter Commits the routing up to the current cursor position and places the tracks
Backspace Remove last segments
Esc Terminate current route. Any routing that has been committed before calling the termination is retained
Ctrl+Click Auto-complete segments to target
Shift+R

Cycle through the currently enabled routing conflict resolution modes. The modes available (including Walkaround Obstacles, Push Obstacles, Hug and Push Obstacles, Ignore obstacles, and Stop at First Obstacle) can be defined on the PCB Editor - Interactive Routing page of the Preferences dialog, and modified on-the-fly (press Tab to access the Interactive Routing mode of the Properties panel)

When interactively routing multiple traces, the AutoRoute On Current Layer and AutoRoute On Multiple Layers modes are not available.
Shift+D Toggle automatic loop removal feature on/off
Ctrl+W Toggle the display of clearance boundaries
Shift+W Choose the required track width from available predefined favorite routing widths in the Track mode of the Properties panel
Shift+V Choose the required via size from available predefined via sizes, sourced from one or more associated via templates. The Choose Via Sizes dialog will appear with which to do so
3

Cycle through routing width sources (User Choice --> Rule Minimum --> Rule Preferred --> Rule Maximum)

With User Choice, routing widths are defined and managed in the Favorite Interactive Routing Widths dialog.
4

Cycle through via size sources (User Choice --> Rule Minimum --> Rule Preferred --> Rule Maximum)

With User Choice, via sizes are defined through via templates - locally to the active PCB document, or through associated Pad Via libraries (*.PvLib).
5 Cycle through available via patterns (aligned or staggered)
+ (on the numeric keypad) Switch to the next enabled (and rule-permitted) layer, dropping a via
- (on the numeric keypad) Switch to the previous enabled (and rule-permitted) layer, dropping a via
* (on numeric keypad) Switch to the next enabled (and rule-permitted) signal layer, dropping a via
1-9 (on numeric keypad) Switch to routing on the corresponding routing (signal) layer (dropping a via to do so). The number can be obtained from the prefix to the layer name ([n]), on the layer tab at the bottom of the main workspace. Alternatively, the number can be acquired from the pop-up window accessed through the Ctrl+L shortcut.
Ctrl+L Access a pop-up window of available routing layers. Click an entry to switch to that layer (dropping a via to do so). The number to the right of each entry ([n]) can be used to switch to that layer directly, without popping this window.
L

When routing from multi-layer pads or vias, switches the layer to the next signal layer defined for those pads/vias

This feature works only when the routing is started from the pads/vias and before the first segments are committed.
/ Add fanout via; tool immediately waits for next fanout to route and via to place
2 Add a via without changing layer
C Change the spacing between neighboring routes to use the Track-Track clearance value defined in the applicable Clearance rule
B Decrease the spacing between neighboring routes
Shift+B Increase the spacing between neighboring routes
Shift+Ctrl+G Cycle Glossing Effort mode (Weak --> Strong --> Off)
Interactive Length Tuning Shortcuts
Shortcut Description
Spacebar Cycle forward through the supported tuning patterns. Available patterns are: Mitered with Lines, Mitered with Arcs, and Rounded
Shift+Spacebar Cycle backward through the supported tuning patterns. Available patterns are: Mitered with Lines, Mitered with Arcs, and Rounded
Shift+G Toggle display of the length tuning gauge on/off
Tab Access the Accordion mode of the Properties panel in which you can define the approach used for defining the target length, and to modify properties of the accordion pattern used in the tuning on-the-fly
, Decrease the amplitude of the accordion pattern by the amount defined for the Amplitude Increment in the Accordion mode of the Properties panel
. Increase the amplitude of the accordion pattern by the amount defined for the Amplitude Increment in the Accordion mode of the Properties panel
1 Decrease the corner (miter) radius (when using the Mitered with Lines, or Mitered with Arcs accordion patterns)
2 Increase the corner (miter) radius (when using the Mitered with Lines, or Mitered with Arcs accordion patterns)
3 Decrease the gap (pitch) for the accordion pattern by the amount defined for the Gap Increment in the Accordion mode of the Properties panel
4 Increase the gap (pitch) for the accordion pattern by the amount defined for the Gap Increment in the Accordion mode of the Properties panel
Y Toggle Amplitude Direction (starting direction) for the accordion pattern
3D Body Placement Shortcuts
The shortcuts actually available depend on the type of 3D Model being placed or moved - Extruded, Cylinder, Sphere, or Generic 3D Model. Generic model support includes STEP (*.Stp and *.Step), Parasolid (*.x_t and *.x_b (up to V27)), and SolidWorks formatted models. Support for SolidWorks and Parasolid format models, and the Parasolid format export, is enabled by installing the SOLIDWORKS PCB Connector extension. You will also require an MCAD Co-Designer - SOLIDWORKS (R) license, which is enabled along with your regular Altium Designer license.
Shortcut Description
Tab Access the 3D Body mode of the Properties panel properties for the 3D body object being placed/moved can be changed on-the-fly
L Flip the 3D body object being placed/moved to the other side of the board
N Toggle the display of the connection lines (ratsnest) while moving the 3D body for a component
X Mirror the 3D body object being placed/moved along the X-axis
Y Mirror the 3D body object being placed/moved along the Y-axis
8 (on numeric keypad)

Rotate the 3D body object being placed/moved counterclockwise around the model's X-axis by 90°

This shortcut applies to Generic 3D Model and Cylinder model types only.
2 (on numeric keypad)

Rotate the 3D body object being placed/moved clockwise around the model's X-axis by 90°

This shortcut applies to Generic 3D Model and Cylinder model types only.
4 (on numeric keypad)

Rotate the 3D body object being placed/moved counterclockwise around the model's Y-axis by 90°

This shortcut applies to Generic 3D Model and Cylinder model types only.
6 (on numeric keypad)

Rotate the 3D body object being placed/moved clockwise around the model's Y-axis by 90°

This shortcut applies to Generic 3D Model and Cylinder model types only.
Spacebar

Rotate the 3D body object being placed/moved counterclockwise around the model's Z-axis by 90°

This shortcut only applies to the Extruded model type when it is being moved.
Shift+Spacebar

Rotate the 3D body object being placed/moved clockwise around the model's Z-axis by 90°

This shortcut only applies to the Extruded model type when it is being moved.
9 (on numeric keypad)

Increase the Standoff Height for the 3D body object being placed/moved by one Snap Grid unit

This shortcut only applies to the Extruded model type when it is being moved.
3 (on numeric keypad)

Decrease the Standoff Height for the 3D body object being placed/moved by one Snap Grid unit

This shortcut only applies to the Extruded model type when it is being moved.
3D Visualization Shortcuts

The following additional shortcuts are available when viewing the board in 3D in the PCB Editor (or, where applicable, a component in 3D in the PCB Library Editor):

Shortcut Description More Information...
0

Change the view of the board (or component) in 3D so that you are looking straight down from above (perpendicular) with zero rotation

In addition, you can use the applicable drop-down field on the PCB Standard toolbar (PCB Editor), or the PCB Lib Standard toolbar (PCB Library Editor) to quickly choose from a set of predefined 3D views when viewing your board (or library components) in 3D.
 Command Page
9

Change the view of the board (or component) in 3D so that you are looking straight down from above (perpendicular) with 90 Degree (clockwise) rotation in the X-plane

In addition, you can use the applicable drop-down field on the PCB Standard toolbar (PCB Editor), or the PCB Lib Standard toolbar (PCB Library Editor) to quickly choose from a set of predefined 3D views when viewing your board (or library components) in 3D.
 Command Page
8

Change the view of the board (or component) in 3D so that you are looking at the board from an orthogonal perspective

In addition, you can use the applicable drop-down field on the PCB Standard toolbar (PCB Editor) or the PCB Lib Standard toolbar (PCB Library Editor) to quickly choose from a set of predefined 3D views when viewing your board (or library components) in 3D.
 Command Page
5 Toggle a board that has flexible areas between its flattened state (no Bending Line settings applied) and its folded state (all Bending Line settings applied) Command Page
Shift Access the 3D rotational sphere. With the sphere displayed, Right-Click and drag to change the orientation of the view -
Ctrl+C Copies the current view in the main design workspace to the clipboard in bitmap format (*.bmp). You have control over the resolution of the copied image via the 3D Snapshot Resolution dialog Command Page
1 (on the number pad) Change the view of the board (or component) in 3D so that you are looking at the board from the top side Command Page
Ctrl+1 (on the number pad) Change the view of the board (or component) in 3D so that you are looking at the board from the bottom side Command Page
7 (on the number pad) Change the view of the board (or component) in 3D so that you are looking at the board from the front side Command Page
Ctrl+7 (on the number pad) Change the view of the board (or component) in 3D so that you are looking at the board from the back side Command Page
3 (on the number pad) Change the view of the board (or component) in 3D so that you are looking at the board from the left edge Command Page
Ctrl+3 (on the number pad) Change the view of the board (or component) in 3D so that you are looking at the board from the right edge Command Page
4 (on the number pad) Rotate the view of the board (or component) in 3D 30 degrees left Command Page
6 (on the number pad) Rotate the view of the board (or component) in 3D 30 degrees right Command Page
8 (on the number pad) Rotate the view of the board (or component) in 3D 30 degrees up Command Page
2 (on the number pad) Rotate the view of the board (or component) in 3D 30 degrees down Command Page
Ctrl+4 (on the number pad) Move the view of the board (or component) in 3D 500mil left Command Page
Ctrl+6 (on the number pad) Move the view of the board (or component) in 3D 500mil right Command Page
Ctrl+8 (on the number pad) Move the view of the board (or component) in 3D 500mil up Command Page
Ctrl+2 (on the number pad) Move the view of the board (or component) in 3D 500mil down Command Page
1 (on the number pad) Change the view of the board (or component) in 3D so that you are looking at the board from an orthogonal perspective -
L Access the View Configuration panel in which you can configure how the board is rendered in 3D -
3D Measurements Shortcuts

The following additional shortcuts are available when viewing the board in 3D in the PCB Editor and taking measurements using the Reports » Measure 3D Objects command:

Shortcut Description
Q

Toggle measurement units between metric and imperial - the displayed measurement values will update accordingly
Hold Ctrl key down

As you move the cursor over a 3D object, use to select a specific face of that object
Shift+C

Clear all currently displayed measurements in the 3D workspace
Sub-Menu Shortcuts
Shortcut Gives Access To...
A the Align sub-menu
B the Toolbars sub-menu
G a pop-up menu with Snap Grid commands
I the Component Placement sub-menu
J the Jump sub-menu
K the Panels sub-menu
M the Move sub-menu
N a pop-up menu of Connection/Jumper display commands
O the right-click Options sub-menu
S the Select sub-menu
U the Route sub-menu
X the DeSelect sub-menu
Y the right-click Filter sub-menu
Z a pop-up menu with zoom commands
Managed Component Editor Shortcuts
Batch Component Editing Mode Shortcuts
Shortcut Description More Information...
Ctrl+X Clear the content of the currently selected editable cells and copy that content to the clipboard Command Page
Ctrl+C Copy the content of the currently selected editable cells to the clipboard Command Page
Ctrl+V Paste content from the clipboard into the currently selected editable cells within the component definitions region of the document Command Page
Delete Clear the content of the currently selected (and editable) cells in the component definitions region of the document Command Page
Ctrl+Delete Remove the currently selected component definitions from the document Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+X Cut the selected component definition(s) from the document and add them to the clipboard Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+C Copy the selected component definition(s) to the clipboard Command Page
Ctrl+D Clone the selected component definition Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+V Paste one (or more) component definitions from the clipboard into the component definitions region of the document Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+M Access the Manufacturer Part Search dialog in which you can browse for required components across enabled supplier's online part databases. Selected components will be used to create one or more new component definitions in the active Managed Component document Command Page
F5

Refresh the document

This is useful if, for any reason, you have lost connection with the target server. It ensures model links are refreshed and also, if the CmpLib is referencing a Component Template, it allows the data defined in that template to be brought in again, which is very helpful if you have inadvertently cleared content from read-only cells!
 Command Page
Ctrl+Z Restore the current document to its state previous to the last operation. Multiple levels of undo are supported Command Page
Ctrl+Y Restore changes made by the Undo feature in the current document. Multiple levels of Redo are supported Command Page
Single Component Editing Mode Shortcuts
Shortcut Description More Information...
Shift+Ctrl+M Opens the Manufacturer Part Search dialog in order to search for components and add supplier information to a component.
F5 Refresh the component editor
Ctrl+X Clear the contents of the Name or Description field
Ctrl+C Copy the content of the Name or Description field onto the clipboard
Ctrl+V Paste content from the clipboard into the Name or Description field
Output Job Editor Shortcuts
Shortcut Description More Information...
Ctrl+X
  • Clear the selected output(s) from the current Output Job Configuration file and copy them to the OutputJob Editor's clipboard
  • Clear the selected output container, or print job, from the current Output Job Configuration file and copy it to the OutputJob Editor's clipboard
Ctrl+C
  • Copy the selected output(s) from the current Output Job Configuration file to the OutputJob Editor's clipboard
  • Copy the selected output container, or print job, from the current Output Job Configuration file to the OutputJob Editor's clipboard
Ctrl+V
  • Place the contents of the OutputJob Editor's clipboard into the active Output Job Configuration file
  • Place the output container/print job from the OutputJob Editor's clipboard, into the relevant output media section of the active Output Job Configuration file
Ctrl+D Make an identical copy (duplicate) of the selected output Command Page
Delete
  • Remove the selected output(s)
  • Remove the selected output container or print job
Drag and Drop
  • One or more selected applicable (printable) outputs into the Hard Copy region to create a new Print Job. The output(s) will automatically be linked
  • One or more selected applicable outputs into the Output Containers region to create a new PDF output container. The output(s) will automatically be linked
  • One or more selected PCB3D Video outputs into the Output Containers region to create a new Video output container. The output(s) will automatically be linked
  • One or more selected applicable outputs into the Output Containers region to create a new Folder Structure output container. The output(s) will automatically be linked
Alt+Enter Launch the associated dialog (where available) for the selected output in which you can define exactly how, and what, you wish to be generated Command Page
Ctrl++ (on numeric keypad) Enable all selected outputs connecting them to the currently selected output container or print job Command Page
Ctrl+- (on numeric keypad) Disable all selected outputs disconnecting them from the currently selected output container or print job Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+O Configure the properties of the currently selected output container or print job Command Page
F9
  • Generate the outputs that are enabled and linked to the selected print job
  • Generate the outputs that are enabled and linked to the selected PDF output container
  • Generate the outputs that are enabled and linked to the selected Video output container
  • Generate the outputs that are enabled and linked to the selected Folder Structure output container
Draftsman Editor Shortcuts
Shortcut Description More Information...
Ctrl+P Print the currently active Draftsman document Command Page
Ctrl+Z Restore the active Draftsman document to its state previous to the last operation. Multiple levels of undo are supported Command Page
Ctrl+Y Restore changes made by the Undo feature in the active Draftsman document. Multiple levels of redo are supported Command Page
Ctrl+X Clear the selected object(s) from the active Draftsman document and copy them to the Draftsman Editor's clipboard Command Page
Ctrl+C Copy the selected object(s) from the active Draftsman document to the Draftsman Editor's clipboard Command Page
Ctrl+V Place the last content cut/copied to the Draftsman Editor's clipboard into any open Draftsman document Command Page
Delete Remove the selected object(s) from the active Draftsman document Command Page
Ctrl+A Select all objects on the active Draftsman document Command Page
Ctrl+PgDn

Change the view in the main design window so that the active Draftsman document is made completely visible (where possible)

If the document contains multiple sheets, fitting the entire document into view especially if there are a great many sheets, may not be possible. In this case, the software will attempt to fit what it can with the center of the document at the center of the main design window.
 Command Page
Q Toggle between the use of Imperial and Metric measurement units for the active Draftsman document Command Page
Shift+E Toggle the snapping functionality on or off for the active Draftsman document Command Page
F11 Toggle the display of the Properties panel accordingly Command Page

Multi-board Editor Shortcuts
Shortcut Description More Information...
Ctrl+P Print the currently active multi-board schematic document Command Page
Ctrl+Z (or Alt+Backspace) Restore the active Multi-board document to its state previous to the last operation. Multiple levels of undo are supported Command Page
Ctrl+Y (or Ctrl+Backspace) Restore changes made by the Undo feature in the active Multi-board document. Multiple levels of redo are supported Command Page
Ctrl+X Clear the selected object(s) from the active Multi-board document and copy them to the Multi-board Editor's clipboard Command Page
Ctrl+C Copy the selected object(s) from the active Multi-board document to the Multi-board Editor's clipboard Command Page
Ctrl+V Place the last content cut/copied to the Multi-board Editor's clipboard into any open Multi-board document Command Page
Ctrl+E Enter editing mode for the currently selected part (PCB) in the active Multi-board Assembly document Command Page
Ctrl+K Check for collisions between the various constituent entities of the multi-board assembly Command Page
Ctrl+M Measure distances between 3D bodies in the active Multi-board Assembly document Command Page
Delete Remove the selected object(s) from the active Multi-board document Command Page
Q Toggle between the use of Imperial and Metric measurement units for the active Multi-board document Command Page
Shift+E Toggle the snapping functionality on or off for the active Multi-board document Command Page
F11 Toggle the display of the Properties panel accordingly Command Page
CAM Editor Shortcuts
Shortcut Description More Information...
Ctrl+Z (or Alt+Backspace) Restore the current document to its state previous to the last operation. Multiple levels of undo are supported Command Page
Ctrl+Y (or Ctrl+Backspace) Restore changes made by the Undo feature in the current document. Multiple levels of Redo are supported Command Page
Ctrl+X Clear the selected object(s) from the current document and copy them to the CAMtastic Editor's clipboard Command Page
Ctrl+C (or Ctrl+Insert) Copy the selected object(s) from the current document to the CAMtastic Editor's clipboard Command Page
Ctrl+V (or Shift+Insert) Paste the contents of the CAMtastic Editor's internal clipboard into a CAM document Command Page
Ctrl+M Mirror selected objects about a defined mirror line on the current document Command Page
Ctrl+R Rotate selected objects about a specified rotation 'base' point in the current document Command Page
Ctrl+L Align layers in the current document based on chosen layer objects Command Page
L Create a new layer by merging existing layers in the current document Command Page
Alt+C Select design objects within a user-defined area. The objects do not have to be wholly inside the defined boundaries of the area Command Page
Alt+P Reselect the objects that were part of the previous selection Command Page
Alt+O Select objects in the workspace one at a time Command Page
Ctrl+F Toggle the Flash/Point selection mode On or OFF Command Page
Ctrl+T Toggle the Draws selection mode On or OFF Command Page
Ctrl+A Copy selected objects and place them in a defined array within the current document Command Page
Ctrl+D Change the shape and/or layer for selected objects in the current document Command Page
Ctrl+I Set a new origin point for the current document Command Page
Ctrl+U Scale selected objects in the current document based on a specified base point and scale factor Command Page
Home Display all objects on all enabled layers in the current document Command Page
Shift+P Redefine the display area about a specified point in the current document Command Page
PgUp Bring the design closer to you relative to the cursor position in the current document Command Page
PgDn Move the design away from you relative to the cursor position in the current document Command Page
Shift+V Return the display to the previous view of the screen in the current document Command Page
End Refresh the workspace, in effect performing a redraw of the current document to remove any undesired drawing update effects Command Page
D Control the panning action in the current document dynamically using the mouse Command Page
Alt+Home View and highlight all objects drawn with the current Dcode Command Page
Shift+E Toggle the display of the Extents Box. This box is used to display the drawing extents within the main design workspace Command Page
Shift+F Toggle the view of the current document between active fill and outline sketch modes Command Page
Shift+H Toggle the highlighting of objects based on the current Dcode. In this way, you can interrogate exactly wit which objects a particular Dcode is associated Command Page
N Toggle the display of the current document between Negative and Standard views Command Page
Shift+T Toggle translucent display mode ON or OFF. This mode displays objects in the current document with a transparent effect, allowing you to see objects partially or entirely overlapped by other objects Command Page
Shift+B Toggle the display of the current film box Command Page
Shift+G Access the CAM Editor - Drawing Modes page of the Preferences dialog -
Shift+Y Converts a closed polyline to a solid polygon -
Shift+Z Converts a closed polyline to a CutOut polygon -
Shift+X Converts a closed polyline to a solid polygon region -
Q Obtain information with respect to a single selected object in the current document Command Page
Shift+N Obtain information with respect to a single selected net in the current document Command Page
Shift+M Measure and display the distance between any two points in the current document Command Page
Shift+A Access the Edit Apertures dialog in which you can create new aperture shapes and edit, or delete, existing ones Command Page
K Access the Set Layers OFF dialog in which you can specify which layers you wish to turn OFF Command Page
Alt+K Access the Set Layers ON dialog in which you can specify which layers you wish to turn ON Command Page
Shift+S Toggle between the Off snap mode and the previously selected snap mode (other than Off) Command Page
Esc

Cancel the current command

If the current command uses a dialog at any stage, this feature will only cancel out of the dialog. You will need to use the feature again to completely abort the command.
 Command Page
Ctrl+Home Change the display of the main design window to show the current film box and its contents Command Page
Ctrl+Delete (or Ctrl+E) Delete selected objects from the current document Command Page
+ (on numeric keypad) Change the current layer for the design to the next layer in the Layers list Command Page
- (on numeric keypad) Change the current layer for the design to the previous layer in the Layers list Command Page
* (on numeric keypad) Change the current layer for the design to the next signal layer in the Layers list Command Page
Shift+F9 Execute the current function after all required objects involved in the function have been selected Command Page
Shift+F4 Presents all open design documents in their own individually-tiled regions within the main application design window -
Shift+Ctrl+R Repeat the previous placement/editing command Command Page
Ctrl+G Set the X (horizontal) and Y (vertical) step values - for the Snap Grid - simultaneously to a chosen value Command Page
Sub-Menu Shortcuts
Shortcut Gives Access To...
C the Circle sub-menu
B the Toolbars sub-menu
G a pop-up menu with snap grid commands
I the Import sub-menu
O the Objects sub-menu
S the Selection sub-menu
X the Export sub-menu
Z a pop-up menu with zoom commands
SimData Editor Shortcuts
Shortcut Description More Information...
Ctrl+X (or Shift+Delete) Clear the selected waveform from the Waveform Analysis window and copy it to the SimData Editor's internal clipboard Command Page
Ctrl+C Copy the selected waveform from the Waveform Analysis window to the SimData Editor's internal clipboard Command Page
Ctrl+Z Used to restore the active SimData Editor to its state previous to the last operation -
Ctrl+Y Used to restore changes made by the Undo feature, in the active SimData Editor -
Ctrl+V (or Shift+Insert) Place the current contents of the SimData Editor's internal clipboard into a new or existing wave plot of the current chart in the Waveform Analysis window Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+C Used to clear any filtering that is currently applied to the active document -
Ctrl+A Use to select all contents in the SimData Editor  
Ctrl+H Use to quickly find specific or partial text in accordance with defined search options -
F3 Use to find the next occurrence of the last text search that was specified  -
Delete Clear all waveforms from the active wave plot in the Waveform Analysis window Command Page
Ctrl+PgDn Fit all waveforms in the current chart, in their entirety within the Waveform Analysis window Command Page
End Refresh the screen, in effect performing a redraw of the active simulation analysis chart to remove any undesired drawing update effects Command Page
Esc (or Shift+C) Clear the existing waveform filter that is currently being applied in the active analysis chart Command Page
Up Arrow Scroll vertically-upwards through the data in the active simulation analysis chart one wave plot at a time Command Page
Down Arrow Scroll vertically-downwards through the data in the active simulation analysis chart one wave plot at a time Command Page
Left Arrow Scroll horizontally-left through the data in the active simulation analysis chart one major X-axis division at a time Command Page
Right Arrow Scroll horizontally-right through the data in the active simulation analysis chart one major X-axis division at a time Command Page
Shift+Up Arrow Scroll vertically-upwards through the data in the active simulation analysis chart one page at a time Command Page
Shift+Down Arrow Scroll vertically-downwards through the data in the active simulation analysis chart one page at a time Command Page
Shift+Left Arrow Scroll horizontally-left through the data in the active simulation analysis chart one page at a time Command Page
Shift+Right Arrow Scroll horizontally-right through the data in the active simulation analysis chart one page at a time Command Page
Ctrl+Up Arrow (or Ctrl+Home) Scroll to the top of the active simulation analysis chart Command Page
Ctrl+Down Arrow (or Ctrl+End) Scroll to the bottom of the active simulation analysis chart Command Page
Ctrl+Left Arrow Scroll to the start of the X-axis in the active simulation analysis chart Command Page
Ctrl+Right Arrow Scroll to the end of the X-axis in the active simulation analysis chart Command Page
+ (on numeric keypad) Make the next available analysis chart the current chart in the Waveform Analysis window Command Page
- (on numeric keypad) Make the previous available analysis chart the current chart in the Waveform Analysis window Command Page
PgUp Bring the waveform(s) closer to you relative to the cursor position in the active simulation analysis chart Command Page
PgDn Move the waveform(s) away from you relative to the cursor position in the active simulation analysis chart Command Page
Text-based Document Editor Shortcuts
Common Shortcuts
Shortcut Description More Information...
Ctrl+Z Restore a document to its state previous to the last operation. Multiple levels of undo are supported Command Page
Ctrl+Y Restore changes made by the Undo feature. Multiple levels of redo are supported Command Page
Ctrl+X Remove all selected text from the current document. A copy of the selection is placed on the standard Windows clipboard Command Page
Ctrl+C Copy all selected text from the current document to the standard Windows clipboard Command Page
Ctrl+V Place the current contents of the standard Windows clipboard into the active text-based document Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+C Clear any filtering that is currently applied to the active document Command Page
Ctrl+F Access the Find Text dialog in which you can configure a search for specific text located in the current document, all text-based documents in the active project, all open text-based documents, or all text-based documents in a specified directory Command Page
Ctrl+H Access the Replace Text dialog in which you can configure a search to locate and replace specific text - located in the current document, all text-based documents in the active project, all open text-based documents, or all text-based documents in a specified directory Command Page
F3 Find the next occurrence of the last text search that was specified using the Find Text dialog Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+F Find the next occurrence of the currently selected text in the active document Command Page
Ctrl+A Select all of the text in the current document Command Page
Delete

Delete a single character to the right of the cursor

If one or more characters in the document are selected, the command will delete the selection.
 Command Page
Backspace

Delete a single character to the left of the cursor

If one or more characters in the document are selected, the command will delete the selection.
 Command Page
Ctrl+Backspace Delete all characters back to the beginning of the first word immediately to the left of the current cursor position Command Page
Ctrl+Q+Y Delete all characters from the current cursor position to the end of the current line Command Page
Ctrl+T Delete all characters up to the beginning of the first word immediately to the right of the current cursor position Command Page
Alt+Shift+PgDn Extend a column selection by one page down from the current cursor position Command Page
Alt+Shift+PgUp Extend a column selection by one page up from the current cursor position Command Page
Alt+Shift+Ctrl+Left Arrow Extend a column selection by one word to the left of the current cursor position Command Page
Alt+Shift+Ctrl+Right Arrow Extend a column selection by one word to the right of the current cursor position Command Page
Alt+Shift+Ctrl+PgDn Extend a column selection to the bottom of the current document window from the current cursor position Command Page
Alt+Shift+Ctrl+Home Extend a column selection to the beginning of the current document from the current cursor position Command Page
Alt+Shift+Ctrl+End Extend a column selection to the end of the current document from the current cursor position Command Page
Alt+Shift+Home Extend a column selection to the beginning of the current line from the current cursor position Command Page
Alt+Shift+End Extend a column selection to the end of the current line from the current cursor position Command Page
Alt+Shift+Ctrl+PgUp Extend a column selection to the top of the current document window from the current cursor position Command Page
Shift+Left Arrow Extend a selection by one character to the left of the current cursor position Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+Left Arrow Extend a selection by one word to the left of the current cursor position Command Page
Alt+Shift+Down Arrow Extend a column selection by one line down from the current cursor position Command Page
Alt+Shift+Left Arrow Extend a selection column by one column to the left of the current cursor position Command Page
Alt+Shift+Right Arrow Extend a selection column by one column to the right of the current cursor position Command Page
Alt+Shift+Up Arrow Extend a column selection by one line up from the current cursor position Command Page
Shift+PgDn Extend a selection by one page down from the current cursor position Command Page
Shift+Right Arrow Extend a selection by one character to the right of the current cursor position Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+Right Arrow Extend a selection by one word to the right of the current cursor position Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+Home Extend a selection to the beginning of the current document from the current cursor position Command Page
Shift+Home Extend a selection to the beginning of the current line from the current cursor position Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+PgDn Extend a selection to the bottom of the current document window from the current cursor position Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+End Extend a selection to the end of the current document from the current cursor position Command Page
Shift+End Extend a selection to the end of the current line from the current cursor position Command Page
Shift+PgUp Extend a selection by one page up from the current cursor position Command Page
Shift+Down Arrow Extend a selection by one line down from the current cursor position Command Page
Shift+Up Arrow Extend a selection by one line up from the current cursor position Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+PgUp Extend a selection to the top of the current document window from the current cursor position Command Page
Alt+Click&Drag Full control of column selection -
Click&Drag Full control of text selection -
Ctrl+N Insert a new line at the current cursor position Command Page
Enter Insert a carriage return at the current cursor position Command Page
Tab Insert a tab at the current cursor position Command Page
Shift+Tab Tab backwards from the current cursor position Command Page
Down Arrow Move the text cursor downwards one line at a time Command Page
Left Arrow Move the text cursor to the left in the current line and by one character at a time Command Page
Ctrl+Left Arrow Move the text cursor to the left one word at a time Command Page
Right Arrow Move the text cursor to the right one character at a time Command Page
Ctrl+Right Arrow Move the text cursor to the right one word at a time Command Page
Home Move the text cursor to the beginning of the current line Command Page
Ctrl+End Move the text cursor to the end of the file Command Page
Ctrl+PgDn Move the text cursor to the bottom of the document window Command Page
End Move the text cursor to the end of the current line Command Page
Ctrl+Home Move the text cursor to the beginning of the file Command Page
Ctrl+PgUp Move the text cursor to the top of the document window Command Page
Up Arrow Move the text cursor upwards one line at a time Command Page
Ctrl+Enter

Automatically open a document that the cursor is currently over

The feature will only open documents that are stored in the same location on the hard disk as the text document making the call.
The feature will only open documents that have no spaces in their filenames. For example, Example_Design_File.SchDoc and ExampleDesignFile.SchDoc will both open using this feature, but Example Design File.SchDoc will not.
 Command Page
PgDn Scroll down one page Command Page
PgUp Scroll up one page Command Page
Ctrl+Down Arrow Scroll down one line Command Page
Ctrl+Up Arrow Scroll up one line Command Page
Insert Toggle the text mode between Insert and Overwrite Command Page
Shift+Ctrl+n (n=1-9)

Store the current location of the text cursor on the current document into location marker n

A new location assigned to the location marker will overwrite a previously defined location.
 Command Page
Ctrl+n (n=1-9)

Move the text cursor to a predefined location on the current document, as stored in location marker n

If the applicable location marker has not been set, the text cursor will remain at its current location.
 Command Page
Scripting Document Shortcuts

The following additional shortcuts are available when working with scripting text-based documents:

Shortcut Description More Information...
F9 Run the current script. If a run script is not defined, nominate a startup script procedure to execute in the the Select Item to Run dialog -
Ctrl+F9 Run the current script up to the line where the text cursor is currently positioned, then pause -
F5

Toggle an enabled breakpoint for the current line

Clicking in the gutter will also toggle the breakpoint for the current line.
 -
Ctrl+F7

Open the script Evaluate dialog to see the current value (result) of the expression located at the cursor

This command is only available while the script is running or being debugged (stepped through).
 -
F7 Step into and execute the next line of code. Use to execute the current script one line at a time -
F8 Step over (execute without stopping) a called procedure. If the line statement is not a called procedure, step into and execute the line as normal -
Ctrl+F3 Halt (stop) a currently running script procedure -
Ctrl+F5 Access the Add New Watch dialog in which you can define a new watch expression for the current script -
Ctrl+Click on variable/method Jump the cursor to the respective variable/method declaration point -
Ctrl+J Pop-up the Statement Templates list window -
Shift+Ctrl+Space Activate the Method Parameters pop-up window -
Alt+Ctrl+B Open the Breakpoints panel -
Alt+Ctrl+E Open the Code Explorer panel -
Alt+Ctrl+I Open the Object Inspector panel -
Alt+Ctrl+P Open the Tool Palette panel -
Alt+Ctrl+S Open the Call Stack panel -
Alt+Ctrl+W Open the Watch List panel -
F12 Toggle between the Code and Form view for the active script document -

Accelerator Keys

In addition to standard shortcut keys, Altium Designer also employs the use of Accelerator Keys. These are used as part of the main menu system (not right-click context menus) to be able to access commands through the sequential use of one or more such keys.

Specifying an Accelerator Key

An accelerator key is specified as part of a menu or command's caption by adding the ampersand (&) character immediately before the letter that you want to use as the accelerator. Within a menu, the current accelerator key is distinguished by the use of underlining.

Ctrl+Click on a menu entry that opens a sub-menu, to access the Edit Drop Down Menu dialog. Ctrl+Click on a command entry to access the Edit Command dialog. Add the & character at the required position within the defined Caption.
Within any given menu or sub-menu a particular letter can be used only once as an accelerator key.

Strictly speaking, access to a root main menu through its accelerator key requires holding down the Alt key. This is because the same key also may be assigned to a pop-up menu. For example, access to the Route menu in the PCB Editor is made by using Shift+A.

In many cases, a main menu also will have a pop-up key assigned. Where this is the case, using that key will access the menu in pop-up form. For example, the File menu can strictly be accessed using Alt+F, but also in pop-up form using F. This functionality is defined for a menu in the Edit Drop Down Menu dialog, by using the Popup Key field.

A menu can be accessed as a pop-up by specifying a popup key.
A menu can be accessed as a pop-up by specifying a popup key.

For obvious reasons, pop-up keys are not assigned to menus in text-based editors and main menus can only be accessed through use of the Alt key.

The following table summarizes the accelerator and pop-up keys assigned to various main menus available across editors:

Menu Accelerator Key Popup Key
File F F
Edit E E
View V V
Project C C
Place P P
Design D D
Tools T T
Route U U
Reports R R
Window W W
Help H H

Accelerator Key Sequence Examples

Click on one of the following collapsible sections (on the title) to access a listing of example accelerator key sequences available for the indicated Editor. With hundreds of permutations available, you will soon build your own list of favorite keyboard sequences that you will want to keep in mind and use as you design.

When referring to accelerator key sequences, use of the comma (,) symbol denotes pressing each key in the sequence in succession. For example, T, V, U means pressing the T key, then press the V key, and then press the U key.
In some of the examples, accelerator keys are used in combination with key sequences within dialogs, ultimately arriving at a quick sequence of keystrokes to achieve a dialog setting and apply it.
Schematic Keyboard Sequences
Use the Accelerator Key Sequence... To...
V, D Fit document
V, F Fit all objects
X, A Deselect all objects on the current sheet
V, G, S Access the Choose a snap grid size dialog in which you can set the snap grid to a user-specified value
E, W Break wire
T, A Access the Annotate dialog
T, A, E Reset schematic designators
T, A, I Reset duplicate schematic designators
T, V, R Reset Component Unique IDs
P, W Start wiring
P, V, K Place Compile Mask Directive
P, V, N Place Generic No ERC directive
M, M Move object
R, I Access the Report Manager dialog presenting a Bill of Materials for the active design project
T, P Access the Schematic - General page of the Preferences dialog
PCB Keyboard Sequences
Use the Accelerator Key Sequence... To...
V, D Fit document
V, F Fit board
S, Y Select all on current layer
X, A Deselect all
O, D Access the View Options tab of the View Configuration panel
G, G, 5, Enter

Set default Global Board Snap Grid to 5mil (both Step X and Step Y) when the board measurement units are Imperial.

G, G accesses the Snap Grid (1..1000) dialog. Depending on the grid size required and the current measurement units, change the sequence after this and before the final Enter as needed.
T, M Reset error markers
D, R Access the PCB Rules and Constraints Editor dialog
T, G, M Access the Polygon Pour Manager dialog
T, D, R Run Batch Design Rule Check
P, S Place string
P, T Start interactive routing
M, M Move object
T, P Access the PCB Editor - General page of the Preferences dialog

 

Found an issue with this document? Highlight the area, then use Ctrl+Enter to report it.

Contact Us

Contact our corporate or local offices directly.

Contact Us Now
We're sorry to hear the article wasn't helpful to you.
Could you take a moment to tell us why?
200 characters remaining
You are reporting an issue with the following selected text
and/or image within the active document: