Illustrator · Paste in front
Edit
Windows · Linux
Ctrl+FMac
Cmd+FPastes the copy at the same coordinates as the original and stacks it directly in front of whatever is selected. Because the position is kept, the copy lands exactly on top and looks like nothing happened.
- 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
Q. What is the shortcut for Paste in front in Illustrator?
Pastes the copy at the same coordinates as the original and stacks it directly in front of whatever is selected. Because the position is kept, the copy lands exactly on top and looks like nothing happened. It is Ctrl+F on Windows and Cmd+F on a Mac.
Q. Is it the same on Windows and Mac?
No — Ctrl+F on Windows, Cmd+F on a Mac.
Q. How many keys is that?
2 pressed together. The combination sits under Edit in Illustrator.