How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts in Figma for Faster Design

In Figma, use keyboard shortcuts by pressing specific key combinations like Ctrl + C to copy or Ctrl + Z to undo. These shortcuts speed up your design work by letting you perform actions quickly without using menus.

Syntax

Keyboard shortcuts in Figma are combinations of keys pressed together to perform actions quickly. They usually involve modifier keys like Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac) plus another key.

• Ctrl/Cmd + C: Copy selected item
• Ctrl/Cmd + V: Paste copied item
• Ctrl/Cmd + Z: Undo last action
• Shift + Click: Select multiple items

Use these shortcuts by holding the modifier key and pressing the other key simultaneously.

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Ctrl + C  // Copy
Ctrl + V  // Paste
Ctrl + Z  // Undo
Shift + Click  // Select multiple items

Example

This example shows how to copy and paste a shape using keyboard shortcuts in Figma.

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1. Select a shape on the canvas.
2. Press Ctrl + C (Windows) or Cmd + C (Mac) to copy it.
3. Press Ctrl + V (Windows) or Cmd + V (Mac) to paste the copied shape.
4. The pasted shape appears on the canvas ready to move or edit.

Output

A duplicate of the selected shape appears on the canvas.

Common Pitfalls

Common mistakes when using Figma keyboard shortcuts include:

• Pressing keys in the wrong order or not holding the modifier key.
• Using shortcuts for the wrong operating system (Windows vs Mac).
• Trying shortcuts when no item is selected, so nothing happens.
• Confusing similar shortcuts like Ctrl + D (duplicate) and Ctrl + V (paste).

Always check your OS and select items before using shortcuts.

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Wrong: Pressing C then Ctrl (no effect)
Right: Hold Ctrl, then press C (copies item)

Quick Reference

Shortcut	Action
Ctrl/Cmd + C	Copy selected item
Ctrl/Cmd + V	Paste copied item
Ctrl/Cmd + Z	Undo last action
Ctrl/Cmd + D	Duplicate selected item
Shift + Click	Select multiple items
Ctrl/Cmd + G	Group selected items
Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + G	Ungroup items
Ctrl/Cmd + /	Quick actions search

Key Takeaways

Hold the modifier key (Ctrl or Cmd) and press the action key simultaneously for shortcuts.

Use shortcuts to speed up common tasks like copy, paste, undo, and duplicate.

Make sure you select an item before using shortcuts that act on selections.

Know your operating system’s modifier keys to avoid confusion.

Use Figma’s quick actions (Ctrl/Cmd + /) to find shortcuts fast.