Select all
Canvas
A foundational shortcut used constantly.
With MacKeys
⌘ + A
Without MacKeys
Ctrl + A
High frequency
Design shortcut guide
Adobe Photoshop shortcuts for Mac-native people on Windows
Photoshop is a strong MacKeys candidate because it rewards muscle memory more than menu hunting. Selection, layers, brush work, and export all benefit when the keyboard language feels consistent across Mac and Windows.
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
10
Workflow actions covered on this page.
Translated shortcuts
10
Rows where MacKeys removes the Windows modifier translation.
High-gain actions
4
8 of these are high-frequency shortcuts.
Workflow sections
Jump to the part of Figma where shortcut translation matters most.
Selection
Selection shortcuts
Fast selection shortcuts used all day.
Deselect
Canvas
Quickly clears the current selection without breaking flow.
With MacKeys
⌘ + D
Without MacKeys
Ctrl + D
High frequency
Invert selection
Selection
A common multi-key action where translation matters.
With MacKeys
⇧ + ⌘ + I
Without MacKeys
Ctrl + Shift + I
Medium frequency
Layers
Layers shortcuts
Common layer actions that keep editing moving.
New layer
Layers
Fast layer creation is much easier when the combo feels familiar.
With MacKeys
⇧ + ⌘ + N
Without MacKeys
Ctrl + Shift + N
High frequency
Duplicate layer
Layers
Repeated often during comping and mockup work.
With MacKeys
⌘ + J
Without MacKeys
Ctrl + J
High frequency
Group layers
Layers
Useful when organizing complex files.
With MacKeys
⌘ + G
Without MacKeys
Ctrl + G
Medium frequency
View and Zoom
View and Zoom shortcuts
Navigation shortcuts used during detail work.
Zoom in
Canvas
A constant navigation shortcut in detailed edits.
With MacKeys
⌘ + +
Without MacKeys
Ctrl + +
High frequency
Zoom out
Canvas
Frequent counterpart to zoom in.
With MacKeys
⌘ + -
Without MacKeys
Ctrl + -
High frequency
Fit on screen
Canvas
Very common when checking overall composition.
With MacKeys
⌘ + 0
Without MacKeys
Ctrl + 0
High frequency
Export
Export shortcuts
Output shortcuts for saving and handoff.
Save as
File
A core handoff shortcut that benefits from consistent modifier mapping.
With MacKeys
⇧ + ⌘ + S
Without MacKeys
Ctrl + Shift + S
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 Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop 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 Photoshop benefit from MacKeys? +
Because Photoshop is shortcut-dense and repeated modifier translation slows down otherwise fast work.
Is this a complete list of Photoshop shortcuts? +
No. It is a practical first-pass set of the highest-value shortcuts for the directory page.