Illustrator · Paste in back
Edit
Windows · Linux
Ctrl+BMac
Cmd+BPastes at the same coordinates as the original but stacks it behind the selected object — the usual way to slip a shadow or a background shape under artwork that is already in place.
- Group
- Edit
- Keys held
- 2
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
QWhat is the shortcut for Paste in back in Illustrator?
Pastes at the same coordinates as the original but stacks it behind the selected object — the usual way to slip a shadow or a background shape under artwork that is already in place. It is Ctrl+B on Windows and Cmd+B on a Mac.
QIs it the same on Windows and Mac?
No — Ctrl+B on Windows, Cmd+B on a Mac.
QHow many keys is that?
2 pressed together. The combination sits under Edit in Illustrator.