Illustrator · Direct Selection tool
Tools
Windows · Linux
AMac
ABoth systems use the same combination.
Selects a single anchor point or one segment inside a path, so dragging moves that corner rather than the whole shape. A rectangle suddenly becoming a wedge is that difference showing up.
- Group
- Tools
- Keys held
- 1
Illustrator gives each tool a single letter, and learning those letters is the biggest win — but while you are editing type they simply get typed, so press Esc first.
Reading the key names
- Keys joined by + are pressed together: Ctrl+Shift+P means hold Ctrl and Shift, then P.
- On a Mac, Cmd is ⌘, Option is ⌥ (labelled Alt on some keyboards), Control is ⌃ and Shift is ⇧.
- Windows Ctrl usually becomes Cmd on a Mac, but not always — this reference lists both combinations separately.
- With a Korean, Japanese or Chinese input method active, shortcuts built on letter keys may not fire. Switch to Latin input and try again.
- When a combination does nothing, another program has often claimed it as a global shortcut first.
Common questions
Q. What is the shortcut for Direct Selection tool in Illustrator?
Selects a single anchor point or one segment inside a path, so dragging moves that corner rather than the whole shape. A rectangle suddenly becoming a wedge is that difference showing up. It is A on Windows and A on a Mac.
Q. Is it the same on Windows and Mac?
Yes, A on both.
Q. How many keys is that?
1 pressed together. The combination sits under Tools in Illustrator.