New page
Document
A core document-level shortcut.
With MacKeys
⌘ + N
Without MacKeys
Ctrl + N
High frequency
Design shortcut guide
Adobe InDesign shortcuts for Mac-native people on Windows
InDesign is a perfect directory page candidate because it mixes layout, type, object, and export workflows. MacKeys reduces the small but constant pauses that happen when the keyboard language shifts during production work.
With MacKeys
Command-first shortcuts stay readable and familiar.
The goal is not to make Figma different. It is to remove the modifier translation layer so common actions still feel like the Mac workflow your hands already know.
Without MacKeys
The work is the same, but the keyboard language keeps shifting.
Native Windows shortcuts usually ask for `Ctrl` and `Alt` translations. In dense design sessions, that adds up as hesitation, extra reach, and slower recovery when you are moving quickly.
Shortcut rows
9
Workflow actions covered on this page.
Translated shortcuts
9
Rows where MacKeys removes the Windows modifier translation.
High-gain actions
3
7 of these are high-frequency shortcuts.
Workflow sections
Jump to the part of Figma where shortcut translation matters most.
Pages
Pages shortcuts
Page navigation and document structure shortcuts.
Duplicate page
Pages
Useful when building spreads and recurring layouts.
With MacKeys
⌘ + J
Without MacKeys
Ctrl + J
Medium frequency
Text
Text shortcuts
Typography shortcuts used throughout publishing work.
Bold
Type
Frequently used in editorial and layout tasks.
With MacKeys
⌘ + B
Without MacKeys
Ctrl + B
High frequency
Italic
Type
A tiny action that appears constantly in typographic cleanup.
With MacKeys
⌘ + I
Without MacKeys
Ctrl + I
High frequency
Increase type size
Type
An easy shortcut to lose rhythm on if the modifier pattern differs.
With MacKeys
⌘ + Shift + >
Without MacKeys
Ctrl + Shift + >
High frequency
Objects
Objects shortcuts
Object and frame manipulation shortcuts.
Group
Objects
Keeps layout items organized as pages get complex.
With MacKeys
⌘ + G
Without MacKeys
Ctrl + G
High frequency
Ungroup
Objects
Important during heavy editing passes.
With MacKeys
⇧ + ⌘ + G
Without MacKeys
Ctrl + Shift + G
High frequency
Align left
Layout
A basic alignment operation used in most layout work.
With MacKeys
⌘ + L
Without MacKeys
Ctrl + L
Medium frequency
Export
Export shortcuts
Output actions used for deliverables.
Export
File
A common handoff action for deliverables.
With MacKeys
⌘ + E
Without MacKeys
Ctrl + E
High frequency
Reading the gain labels
A shortcut gets a higher estimated gain when it combines three things: frequent use, more awkward native Windows modifiers, and a higher likelihood of breaking Mac muscle memory in the middle of focused work.
High gain
Medium gain
Low gain
Why this matters in Adobe InDesign
Adobe InDesign rewards fast repetition. Duplicate, group, frame, zoom, and property-copy actions are not isolated commands. They are part of the rhythm. The closer that rhythm stays to Mac muscle memory, the less time gets lost to tiny modifier decisions.
FAQ
Why does InDesign benefit from MacKeys? +
Because publishing work combines lots of repetitive keyboard actions, and modifier consistency helps keep pace steady.