Illustrator · Smart Guides
View
Windows · Linux
Ctrl+UMac
Cmd+UTurns on and off the pink hints and the snapping that appear while you drag near other objects. When something refuses to sit exactly where you drop it, this is usually the thing pulling it.
- Group
- View
- 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 Smart Guides in Illustrator?
Turns on and off the pink hints and the snapping that appear while you drag near other objects. When something refuses to sit exactly where you drop it, this is usually the thing pulling it. It is Ctrl+U on Windows and Cmd+U on a Mac.
QIs it the same on Windows and Mac?
No — Ctrl+U on Windows, Cmd+U on a Mac.
QHow many keys is that?
2 pressed together. The combination sits under View in Illustrator.