Complete Autodesk Inventor Keyboard Shortcuts Guide (2026)
Autodesk Inventor keyboard shortcuts are key combinations that execute commands instantly without navigating the ribbon menus. Inventor supports three types of shortcuts: single-key Function keys (F1–F10), Ctrl/Alt combinations for environment-specific actions, and multi-character command aliases typed directly into the viewport. Together, these shortcuts span seven environments: General, Sketch, Part Modeling, Assembly, Sheet Metal, Drawing, and Presentation.
Using keyboard shortcuts instead of ribbon menus can cut command execution time by 30–40% per action a saving that compounds significantly across a full design session. For engineers and designers working daily in Autodesk Inventor Professional, mastering even the top 20 shortcuts can save hours each week. This guide covers every built-in Inventor shortcut key, hotkey, and command alias, updated for Inventor 2025 and 2026.
Below you’ll find a complete, categorized list of Autodesk Inventor shortcut keys from Function keys and view navigation to Sketch tools, Part Modeling, Assembly commands, Sheet Metal, and Drawing annotations. You can also download the full Autodesk Inventor Shortcuts PDF below for offline reference or to print as a desk cheat sheet.
Read More: Best Autodesk Inventor Alternatives & Competitors
Function Key Shortcuts
| Key | Action | Description | Environment |
|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Help | Opens help for the active command or dialog box | Global |
| F2 | Pan | Pans the graphics window (hold key down) | Global |
| F2 | Rename | Enables node renaming in the model browser | Global |
| F3 | Zoom | Real-time zoom in/out in the graphics window (hold key down) | Global |
| F4 | Rotate | Rotates objects in the graphics window | Global |
| F5 | Previous View | Returns to the previous view | Global |
| F6 | Home / Isometric View | Displays the isometric view of the model | Global |
| F7 | Slice Graphics | Temporarily slices the model to reveal the sketch plane | Sketch only |
| F8 | Show All Constraints | Displays all sketch constraints | Sketch only |
| F9 | Hide All Constraints | Hides all sketch constraints | Sketch only |
| F10 | Sketch Visibility | Toggles visibility of all sketches | View |
| Esc | Cancel / Quit | Quits or closes the active command or tool | Global |
| Delete | Delete | Removes the selected item from the model or drawing | Global |
General Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrl + A | Select All | Selects everything on screen |
| Ctrl + C | Copy | Copies selected items |
| Ctrl + X | Cut | Cuts selected items |
| Ctrl + V | Paste | Pastes a cut or copied item |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo | Undoes the last command |
| Ctrl + Y | Redo | Revokes the last Undo |
| Ctrl + N | New File | Displays the New File dialog box |
| Ctrl + O | Open | Displays the Open dialog box |
| Ctrl + S | Save | Displays the Save As dialog box |
| Ctrl + P | Displays the Print dialog box | |
| Ctrl + F | Find | Opens Find Part Sketches (part files) or Find Assembly Components (assembly files) |
| Delete | Delete | Removes the selected item |
| Shift + Right-click | Select Command Menu | Activates the Select command menu |
View & Navigation Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Home | Zoom All | Zooms to the extents of all objects in the graphics window |
| End | Zoom Selected | Zooms in on a specifically selected item |
| Page Up | Look At | Looks at a selected entity |
| Shift + F3 | Zoom Window | Zooms to the area you define with a window |
| Shift + F5 | Next View | Advances to the next view |
| Ctrl + W | Steering Wheels | Displays the Steering Wheel view tool |
| Ctrl + 0 | Toggle Screen | Toggles screen display |
| Ctrl + Shift + E | Degrees of Freedom | Displays degrees of freedom indicators |
| Ctrl + Shift + Q | iMate Glyph | Activates the iMate Glyph tool |
| Alt + ] | User Work Plane Visibility | Makes user work planes visible |
| Alt + . | User Work Points Visibility | Makes user work points visible |
| Alt + / | User Work Axes Visibility | Makes user work axes visible |
| Ctrl + ] | Origin Plane Visibility | Makes the default origin planes visible |
| Ctrl + . | Origin Points Visibility | Makes the default origin points visible |
| Ctrl + / | Origin Axes Visibility | Makes the default origin axes visible |
| Shift + Middle Mouse Click | Rotate | Rotates the model in the graphics window |
Work Features Shortcuts (One-Key)
| Key | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ; | Grounded Work Point | Creates a grounded work point and activates 3D Move/Rotate |
| / | Work Axis | Creates a new work axis |
| ] | Work Plane | Creates a new work plane |
| . | Work Point | Creates a new work point |
| = | Equal Constraint | Constrains curves to equal radius or length |
Sketch Environment Shortcuts
Sketch keyboard shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| = | Equal Constraint | Constrains curves to equal radius or length |
| F7 | Slice Graphics | Temporarily slices the model to reveal the sketch plane |
| F8 | Show All Constraints | Displays all sketch constraints |
| F9 | Hide All Constraints | Hides all sketch constraints |
| F10 | Sketch Visibility | Toggles visibility of all sketches |
3D Sketch keyboard shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrl + D | Dynamic Dimension HUD | Toggles the dimension HUD on or off |
| Ctrl + R | Ortho Mode | Toggles ortho draw mode for 3D sketch lines or splines |
| Ctrl + I | Infer Constraints | Toggles apply constraints on and off |
| Ctrl + Shift + P | Snap Object | Toggles object snap on and off |
| Shift + Space | Switch Sketch Planes | Switches sketch planes for lines and splines |
Part Modeling Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrl + Shift + K | Chamfer | Activates the Chamfer tool |
| Ctrl + Shift + L | Loft | Activates the Loft tool |
| Ctrl + Shift + M | Mirror | Activates the Mirror tool |
| Ctrl + Shift + O | Circular Pattern | Opens the Circular Pattern dialog box |
| Ctrl + Shift + R | Rectangular Pattern | Opens the Rectangular Pattern dialog box |
| Ctrl + Shift + S | Sweep | Activates the Sweep tool |
Assembly Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrl + H | Replace Component | Replaces one assembly component with another |
| Shift + Tab | Promote | Removes a part from a subassembly into the parent assembly |
| Ctrl + D | Open Drawing | Opens the drawing associated with the component |
| Alt + T | Toggle Transparent State | Toggles component transparency |
| Alt + V | Visibility | Toggles component visibility |
| Alt + Drag Mouse | Mate Constraint | Applies a mate constraint in assemblies |
Drawing Manager Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrl + Shift + N | New Sheet | Inserts a new drawing sheet |
| Ctrl + Shift + T | Leader Text | Adds notes with leader lines to a drawing |
| Alt + C | Create Drawing View | Creates a drawing view |
Tools Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Alt + F8 | Macros | Opens the Macros dialog box |
| Alt + F11 | Visual Basic Editor | Launches the Microsoft Visual Basic Editor |
| Alt + A | Switch Browser Pane Backward | Toggles Inventor browser with Vault add-in browser |
| Alt + S | Switch Browser Pane Forward | Toggles Inventor browser with Vault add-in browser |
Multi-Character Command Aliases
To enable multi-character aliases: Tools tab → Options panel → Customize → Keyboard tab → check “Use default multi-character Command Aliases”. Type the alias directly into the viewport and press Enter.
Sketch aliases
| Alias | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| L | Line | Creates a line or arc |
| C / CE | Center Point Circle | Draws a center point circle |
| A | Arc | Activates the Arc tool (context-dependent) |
| A3 | Three Point Arc | Draws a three-point arc using dynamic input |
| REC | Two Point Rectangle | Draws a two-point rectangle |
| REC3 | Three Point Rectangle | Draws a three-point rectangle |
| EL | Ellipse | Creates an ellipse |
| SP | Spline | Creates a spline |
| TC | Tangent Circle | Creates a circle tangent to three lines |
| POL | Polygon | Creates polygon shapes |
| PO | Point / Center Point | Sketches points and center points |
| O | Offset | Duplicates and offsets selected sketch geometry |
| MI | Mirror | Mirrors sketch geometry about a selected plane |
| MO | Move | Moves selected sketch geometry |
| CP | Circular Pattern | Creates circular pattern of sketch geometry |
| RP | Rectangular Pattern | Creates rectangular pattern of sketch geometry |
| X | Trim | Activates the Trim command |
| EX | Extend | Extends sketch geometry |
| FI | Fillet | Adds fillet to sketch geometry |
| CH | Chamfer | Creates a chamfer in sketch |
| H | Fill / Hatch Sketch Region | Hatches or color fills an enclosed boundary |
| I | Vertical Constraint | Activates the vertical constraint tool |
| AD | Auto Dimension | Prompts the Auto Dimension dialog box |
| BE | Bend | Creates a bend in sketch |
Sketch Features aliases (Part modeling)
| Alias | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| E | Extrude | Extrudes a profile |
| R | Revolve | Revolves a sketch |
| H | Hole | Creates a hole in a feature |
| LO | Loft | Creates lofted features by blending multiple profiles |
| SW | Sweep | Creates a sweep feature |
| BP | Bend Part | Bends a portion of a part |
Placed Features aliases
| Alias | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| F | Fillet | Creates a fillet in part and assembly files |
| W | Fillet (alternate) | Activates the Fillet tool |
| CH | Chamfer | Creates a chamfer |
| SH | Shell | Removes material to create a hollow cavity |
| TH | Thread | Creates threads in holes or on shafts |
| MI | Mirror | Creates a mirror feature |
| RP | Rectangular Pattern | Creates rectangular pattern of features |
| S | 2D Sketch | Activates the 2D Sketch command |
| S3 | 3D Sketch (New) | Activates the 3D Sketch command |
| Q | Create iMate | Displays the Create iMate dialog box |
| DE | Direct Edit | Quick edits to existing solids |
| GW | Groove Weld | Creates a groove weld feature |
Dimension aliases
| Alias | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| D | General Dimension | Adds a dimension to a sketch or drawing |
| BD | Baseline Dimension | Adds baseline dimensions |
| O | Ordinate Dimension Set | Activates the Ordinate Dimension Set command |
| OD | Ordinate Dimension | Adds an ordinate dimension |
| HN | Hole / Thread Notes | Adds a hole or thread note with leader line |
| BN | Bend Notes | Creates or edits a bend note |
| CN | Chamfer Note | Adds a chamfer note to a drawing view |
| PN | Punch Notes | Creates a punch note |
Assembly aliases
| Alias | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| C | Constraints | Adds an assembly constraint |
| P | Place Component | Places a component in the current assembly |
| N | Create Component | Displays the Create In-Place Component dialog box |
| V | Move Component | Activates the Move Component command |
| G | Rotate Component | Activates the Rotate tool |
| MI | Mirror Components | Creates a mirror component |
| CO | Copy Components | Creates a copy of the component |
| PC | Pattern Component | Selects components for a pattern |
| RA | Replace All | Replaces all occurrences of a component |
| IA | Analyze Interference | Analyzes assemblies for interference |
Drawing Manager aliases
| Alias | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| BV | Base View | Creates a base view |
| PV | Projected View | Creates a projected view |
| SV | Section View | Creates a section view |
| DV | Detail View | Creates a detail view |
| AV | Auxiliary View | Places an auxiliary view |
| BRV | Break | Creates a broken, foreshortened view |
| BO | Break Out | Removes material to expose obscured parts |
| CR | Crop | Sets boundary type for crop operations |
| RD | Retrieve Dimensions | Retrieves model dimensions in a drawing |
| B | Balloon / BOM | Activates the Balloon tool or BOM Properties |
Annotation aliases
| Alias | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| BA | Auto Balloon | Creates item balloons for assembly components |
| CM | Center Mark | Adds a center mark |
| CL | Centerline | Adds a centerline |
| CB | Centerline Bisector | Adds a centerline bisector |
| LE | Leader Text | Adds notes with leader lines |
| T | Text | Activates the text tool in a drawing file |
| PL | Parts List | Creates a parts list |
| TB | Table | Creates a table |
| RT | Revision Tag | Adds revision tags to a drawing |
| RTB | Revision Table | Creates a revision table |
| ST | Surface Texture Symbol | Adds a surface texture symbol |
| DI | Datum Identifier Symbol | Adds a datum identifier symbol |
| F | Feature Control Frame | Places a feature control frame |
| FI | Feature Identifier Symbol | Adds a feature identifier symbol |
| HTV | Hole Table — View | Adds a hole table to a view |
| HTF | Hole Table — Features | Selects feature set for hole table |
| HTS | Hole Table — Selection | Selects punch centers individually |
| WS | Welding Symbol | Adds a welding symbol annotation |
| CAT | Caterpillar | Adds a weld caterpillar annotation |
| EF | End Fill | Adds a weld end fill annotation |
| SY | Symbols | Adds sketched symbols to a drawing sheet |
Sheet Metal aliases
| Alias | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| FA | Face | Creates a sheet metal face |
| CF | Contour Flange | Creates a contour flange |
| BE | Bend | Creates a bend |
| FO | Fold | Defines a fold along a sketched line |
| HEM | Hem | Creates a folded hem along sheet metal edges |
| CS | Corner Seam | Defines corner seams on sheet metal faces |
| CC | Corner Chamfer | Activates the corner chamfer command |
| CR | Corner Round | Adds fillets/rounds to sheet metal corners |
| PT | Punchtool | Defines a 3D punch shape into a sheet metal face |
| ST | Sheet Metal Defaults | Changes sheet metal options and parameters |
Presentation aliases
| Alias | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| CV | Create View | Adds a new presentation view |
| T | Tweak Components | Tweaks components in a presentation |
How to Customize Inventor Keyboard Shortcuts
- Click the Tools tab in the ribbon.
- In the Options panel, click Customize.
- Select the Keyboard tab.
- In the Commands list, find the command you want to assign.
- Click in the “Press new shortcut key” field and press your desired key combination.
- Click Assign, then click OK to save.
To export your custom shortcuts: Tools → Customize → Keyboard → Export. To reset all shortcuts to Inventor defaults: click Reset All in the same dialog.
Frequently Asked Questions About Autodesk Inventor Shortcuts
What is the shortcut for Zoom All in Autodesk Inventor?
Press the Home key to Zoom All in Autodesk Inventor. This fits all geometry on screen instantly. To zoom into a specifically selected item, press the End key (Zoom Selected). To zoom into a defined window area, use Shift + F3.
How do I rotate the model in Autodesk Inventor using the keyboard?
Press F4 to activate Rotate mode in Autodesk Inventor, then use your mouse to rotate the model freely. Alternatively, hold Shift and click the middle mouse button to rotate. Press F6 at any time to return to the standard Home (isometric) view.
What are the most important Autodesk Inventor shortcuts for beginners?
The five most essential Inventor shortcuts for beginners are: F6 (Home View returns you to isometric view instantly), F4 (Rotate), Ctrl + Z (Undo), E (Extrude the most used Part modeling alias), and F7 (Slice Graphics reveals your sketch plane inside a solid body). Master these five before anything else.
How do I customize keyboard shortcuts in Autodesk Inventor?
To customize shortcuts in Inventor: click the Tools tab → Options panel → Customize → Keyboard tab. Find the command you want to assign, click in the “Press new shortcut key” field, press your desired key combination, then click Assign and OK. You can also export your custom shortcuts via the Export button in the same dialog to share with teammates or back up your settings.
How do I reset Inventor keyboard shortcuts to default?
Go to Tools tab → Options panel → Customize → Keyboard tab, then click Reset All. This restores all shortcuts to Autodesk’s factory defaults. Note: this will overwrite any custom shortcuts you have created, so export your current settings first if you want to keep them.
Can I use Autodesk Inventor keyboard shortcuts on a Mac?
Autodesk Inventor is a Windows-only application and does not have a native Mac version. Inventor shortcuts therefore apply exclusively to Windows keyboards. Mac users who run Inventor via a Windows virtual machine (Parallels or VMware) can use all shortcuts normally, but may need to remap the Alt and Ctrl keys depending on their configuration.
What is the difference between Inventor shortcuts and AutoCAD shortcuts?
Inventor and AutoCAD share some common shortcuts (Ctrl+Z for Undo, Ctrl+C for Copy, F1 for Help) but differ significantly in navigation and modeling commands. Inventor uses F-keys for 3D view navigation (F2 Pan, F4 Rotate, F6 Home View), while AutoCAD uses them differently. Inventor also supports multi-character command aliases typed into the viewport (E for Extrude, R for Revolve) which behave similarly to AutoCAD’s command line aliases a familiar workflow for users transitioning from AutoCAD to Inventor.
What are multi-character command aliases in Autodesk Inventor?
Multi-character command aliases are short codes you type directly into the Inventor viewport to activate commands similar to AutoCAD’s command line. For example, type E and press Enter to Extrude, R to Revolve, H for Hole, LO for Loft, or X to Trim. To enable them, go to Tools → Customize → Keyboard tab and check “Use default multi-character Command Aliases”. Once enabled, they work in any Inventor environment.
Do Inventor shortcuts change between versions like 2024, 2025, and 2026?
The core Inventor keyboard shortcuts (Function keys, Ctrl combinations, and one-key shortcuts) have remained consistent across Inventor 2024, 2025, and 2026. New versions may add shortcuts for newly introduced features, but existing shortcuts are not removed or reassigned. The multi-character command alias system has been available since Inventor 2021 and is present in all current versions.
Final Thoughts on Autodesk Inventor Keyboard Shortcuts
Autodesk Inventor includes over 200 keyboard shortcuts and command aliases across seven environments General, Sketch, Part Modeling, Assembly, Sheet Metal, Drawing, and Presentation. No single designer needs to memorize all of them. The smarter approach is to master the shortcuts for the environments you work in daily, then expand from there.
If you are just starting out, focus on the Function keys first. F4 rotates, F6 returns you to Home View, F7 slices through your model to reveal the sketch plane, and Ctrl + Z saves you from every mistake. Once those feel automatic, move to the multi-character command aliases E to Extrude, R to Revolve, H for Hole and your Part modeling speed will improve noticeably within days.
If you work primarily in assemblies, the three shortcuts worth committing to memory first are Ctrl + H (Replace Component), Shift + Tab (Promote), and Alt + drag (Mate Constraint). In drawings, BV (Base View), SV (Section View), and CM (Center Mark) will cover the majority of your annotation workflow.
The single most impactful habit you can build is customizing your own shortcuts for the commands you use most. Go to Tools → Customize → Keyboard tab, assign your top five repetitive commands to easy key combinations, and export the file so you never lose them. Ten minutes of setup can save hours every week.
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