All keyboard shortcuts for architecture and construction

100 Essential Keyboard Shortcuts for Architecture and Construction: Revit, Archicad, SketchUp, and Vectorworks

With shortcut keys for architecture and construction, you can place building elements, edit drawings, and check models without having to search through menus every time. This reference guide contains 100 practical entries for Revit, Archicad, SketchUp, and Vectorworks, with explanations of each feature’s function and the appropriate use cases.

Which keyboard shortcuts are important for architecture and construction?

In architecture and construction, keyboard shortcuts for modeling, moving, copying, dimensioning, and model navigation are particularly useful. Think of placing a wall in Revit, applying element settings in Archicad, creating a volume in SketchUp, or adjusting a wall connection in Vectorworks.

The keys don’t work the same everywhere. Revit uses many consecutive letters, while SketchUp primarily uses individual letter keys. Archicad and Vectorworks also link their controls to a configured work environment or workspace.

The tables below are based on the standard interface for Windows. For Archicad, the international workspace starting with version 28 serves as the basis. For Vectorworks, we use the standard assignments from version 2026, with construction tools that should be available in your edition and workspace. SketchUp refers to the desktop version.

The list contains 25 entries per program, totaling exactly 100. It is a selection for everyday product type and drawing work. Some keys appear in multiple programs, sometimes with a different meaning.

Here’s how to use the keyboard shortcuts

• W → A: First press W, release it, and then press A.
• Ctrl + D: Hold down Ctrl while pressing D.
• L: Press the letter key; Shift is not required.
• Alt + click: Hold down the Alt key while clicking the mouse.
• Number keys: When using Vectorworks tools, use the top row of number keys—not the numeric keypad—by default.

Check the active input field. If the cursor is in a text box, search field, or measurement field, a character may be entered there. First activate the character or model window before launching a tool using the keyboard.

Program	Numbers	Key Topics
Revit	1–25	BIM elements, dimensions, alignment, and model visualization.
Archicad	26–50	Navigation, moving, parameter transfer, and groups.
SketchUp	51–75	Concept models, volumes, materials, and components.
Vectorworks	76–100	2D drawing, walls, openings, dimensioning, and shape editing.

Revit: 25 Essential Keyboard Shortcuts for Architecture and Construction

Enter the Revit key sequences listed below one after another. You normally do not need to press Enter. The command starts when the sequence is recognized, provided the function is available in the active context.

Inserting building blocks and references

No.	Shortcut	What does this keyboard shortcut do?
1	W → A	Start Wall. Place a wall in the building model and check details such as the wall type, placement line, height, and adjacent levels.
2	D → R	Start Door. Place a suitable door family in a wall. The selected type determines, for example, the dimensions and available features.
3	W → N	Start Window. Place a window in a suitable host, usually a wall. Then check the type and parapet height, among other things.
4	C → M	Start "Place a Component." Place loaded components, such as furniture or fixtures, according to the placement conditions of the relevant family.
5	G → R	Start Grid. Create gridlines as a reference for columns, building axes, and dimensions, for example. Use an appropriate view for the desired placement.
6	L → L	Start Level. Place a level in a suitable elevation or section view, for example, as a reference for a floor level or roof height.
7	R → P	Start Reference Plane. Create a reference plane to base geometry on or to precisely align elements relative to a product type preference.
8	R → M	Start Room. Create a room within recognized boundaries. Verify that walls, room division lines, and settings together form the intended room.

Add dimensions and drawing information

No.	Shortcut	What does this keyboard shortcut do?
9	D → I	Start Aligned Dimension. Create aligned dimensions between suitable references, such as wall surfaces, grids, or other relevant parts of the drawing.
10	D → L	Start Detail Line. Draw lines associated with the active view, for example, to supplement a construction detail without adding model geometry.
11	T → X	Start Text. Add a text note to the active view, for example, for an execution comment that does not come from an element label.

Customize and Reuse Elements

No.	Shortcut	What does this keyboard shortcut do?
12	A → L	Start Align. First, select the reference, then select the element to align. Lock the alignment only when that relationship needs to be maintained.
13	C → O	Start Copy. Create copies of selected elements with a specified offset, for example, to place repeating elements in a different position.
14	M → F	Start Move. Move selected elements by specifying a start and end point. Check for connections and constraints that may be affected by the move.
15	R → O	Start Rotate. Rotate a selection around a rotation centre, for example, to align furniture or a building component with a diagonal direction.
16	M → M	Start Mirror – Pick Axis. Mirror suitable elements using an existing line or reference as the mirror axis; check whether the copy option is desired.
17	D → M	Start Mirror – Draw Axis. Define a mirror axis yourself by selecting two points when a suitable existing axis is missing.
18	T → R	Start Trim/Extend to Corner. Have suitable elements form a corner by extending or shortening them. Click the parts that should remain.
19	S → L	Start Split Element. Split a suitable element, such as a wall or line, at a selected point into separately editable parts.
20	O → F	Start Offset. Create or move suitable geometry by a perpendicular distance. The copy setting determines whether the genuine element is retained.
21	C → S	Start "Create Similar" when making a selection. Activate the placement tool with the same element type; this does not automatically copy all individual instance data.
22	M → A	Start Match Type Properties. Have suitable target elements inherit the type of a source, for example, to give similar walls the same type structure.
23	P → N	Start Pin. Lock selected model elements to prevent them from moving, for example, for reference parts that must remain in their positions during detailing.

Check the image preview

No.	Shortcut	What does this keyboard shortcut do?
24	V → G	Opens Visibility/Graphics for the active view. Manage available categories and graphics settings; a linked view template can define or block settings.
25	Z → E	Performs Zoom to Fit. Fits the available content of the active view into the screen when you’ve lost track of the overview.

Model change or drawing modification? Moving a wall changes the building model. Adding a detail line or text note applies to a specific view. Keep that distinction in mind, even when typing quickly.

Archicad: 25 Essential Keyboard Shortcuts for Architecture and Construction

Archicad saves keyboard shortcuts in the Work Environment. Local versions, office profiles, and older settings may therefore differ. In particular, the controls that have been modified starting with Archicad 28—such as Flip and navigating the PET palette—deserve special attention.

Switch between floor plan, 3D, and documentation

No.	Shortcut	What does this keyboard shortcut do?
26	F2	Activates the most recently used floor plan. From a spatial model check, return to the floor where you want to draw or select elements.
27	F3	Activates the last-used 3D window. For example, check whether a change to the floor plan also results in the intended connection in 3D.
28	Shift + F3	Opens the 3D window in perspective view. Use this to assess the spatial perception of a building or interior from a natural viewing angle.
29	Ctrl + F3	Opens the 3D window in axonometric view. View the building without perspective foreshortening, for example, to compare building masses and their relative proportions.
30	F6	Activates the last-used cross-section window. Useful for checking heights, floor structures, and connections after you’ve made a model change.
31	F7	Activates the most recently used layout. Quickly go to the sheet layout to see how drawings and order notes are arranged on the construction sheet.

Move, rotate, and copy elements

No.	Shortcut	What does this keyboard shortcut do?
32	Ctrl + D	Start Drag for selected elements. Specify the movement using reference points or numerical input, for example, to precisely position an object in a brand new location.
33	Ctrl + E	Start the manual Rotate command. Specify a pivot point and angle to align selected elements with a different orientation.
34	Ctrl + M	Start Mirror. Define a mirror axis to flip suitable elements, for example, for a mirrored layout or a different orientation of the product type.
35	Hold Ctrl while dragging	Switches to creating a copy during a move. The genuine items remain in place while you place the brand new copies.
36	Ctrl + Alt while dragging	Enables the placement of multiple copies during the move operation. Use this for repetitive items and end the operation once the desired number of copies are in place.
37	Ctrl + Shift + E	Start Rotate a Copy. Create a rotated copy of the selection—for example, to arrange elements around a central point—while preserving the genuine.

Apply settings and follow outlines

No.	Shortcut	What does this keyboard shortcut do?
38	Alt + click	Copies parameters from an existing element using the eyedropper tool. These become the default for that element type, for example, when continuing to draw with the same settings.
39	Ctrl + Alt + click	Transfers parameters to a target element using the syringe. The active Transfer Set determines which settings are actually transferred.
40	Spacebar + click	Use the Magic Wand with a suitable active tool. Follow existing lines or boundaries to build brand new element geometry.

Managing groups, inputs, and selections

No.	Shortcut	What does this keyboard shortcut do?
41	Ctrl + G	Groups suitable selected elements. For example, keep related drawing elements together so you can more easily select and move them as a group.
42	Ctrl + Shift + G	Ungroup. For nested groups and depending on the "Suspend Groups" setting, more than one step may be required to separate all components.
43	Alt + G	Enables or disables Autogroup. When Autogroup is enabled, suitable connected drawing elements are automatically created as a group.
44	F	Starting with Archicad 28, the Flip function works within a suitable context. Use this when an element has a supported reversible orientation.
45	P	Moves from Archicad 28 to the next item in the active tool palette. This allows you to switch between available graphic editing options for the selected item.
46	Shift + P	Goes to the previous item in the active tool palette. Useful when you’ve moved on to the next editing option and want to go back.
47	Right arrow	Moves a selected range step by step to the right using Nudge in the current drawing context. The set step size determines the amount of movement.
48	Shift + right arrow	Moves the selection to the right using the larger Nudge step. Use this for a rough adjustment before fine-tuning the position.
49	Ctrl + A	Selects within the active context. With a specific tool active, the selection can be limited to that element type, for example, only walls.
50	Ctrl + Z	Undoes the last available action. Afterward, check both the selection and any consequences for linked or adjacent building elements.

Autogroup is different from Suspend Groups. Autogroup determines whether brand new drawing elements are automatically grouped. Suspend Groups makes existing group members temporarily editable individually.

SketchUp: 25 Essential Keyboard Shortcuts for Architecture and Construction

SketchUp uses many familiar keyboard shortcuts. They’re especially useful for mass studies, interior layouts, and developing spatial forms. Keep in mind the editing context: individual geometry, a group, and a component respond differently to changes.

Selecting and Drawing Basic Shapes

No.	Shortcut	What does this keyboard shortcut do?
51	Spacebar	Activate Select. Select edges, faces, groups, or components before moving, modifying, or viewing their properties.
52	Shift + spacebar	Activates Lasso Select. Draw a free-form selection outline around model parts when a rectangular selection window doesn’t fit the shape of your selection well.
53	L	Start Line. Draw edges for floor plan outlines, roof shapes, or other structures. Closed, flat contours can form a plane.
54	R	Start Rectangle. Create a rectangular base for, say, a building, a room, or a piece of furniture, and enter exact dimensions where necessary.
55	C	Start Circle. Draw a circle as the basis for, for example, a column, a round opening, or a cylindrical solid. The number of segments affects the approximation.
56	A	Launch 2 Point Arc. Create an arc between two endpoints with a specific curvature, for example, to create a curved contour in a product type.

Build volumes and adjust geometry

No.	Shortcut	What does this keyboard shortcut do?
57	P	Start Push/Pull. Assign a suitable depth or height to a surface, for example, to convert a floor plan into a simple building mass.
58	M	Start Move. Move selected geometry, groups, or components. A selected reference point helps you place parts precisely on existing model points.
59	Q	Start Rotate. Rotate a selection around a chosen point and plane of rotation, for example, to align furniture or a building component with a diagonal direction.
60	S	Start Scale. Adjust the dimensions of a selection using scale handles. Check whether you’re scaling uniformly or changing only a specific direction.
61	F	Start Offset. Create a parallel contour of suitable flat geometry—for example, to create an inner contour for wall thickness based on an outer contour.
62	E	Launch Eraser. Remove unwanted borders. Note: Removing a border may also cause the corresponding area to disappear.

Measurements, materials, and reusable parts

No.	Shortcut	What does this keyboard shortcut do?
63	T	Launch Tape Measure. Measure distances and create guide lines or reference points to accurately mark out openings, clear spaces, and positions, for example.
64	B	Launch Paint Bucket. Apply materials to appropriate model parts to make elements such as brick, wood, or floor finishes recognizable in a presentation.
65	G	Start Make Component for selected geometry. Create reusable parts, such as windows or furniture; instances of the same definition share their component geometry.
66	K	Turns Back Edges on or off. Back edges are displayed visibly, allowing you to assess their position without removing all foreground faces.
67	Shift + S	Opens Search. Search for a tool or command when you know the function but aren’t sure exactly where to find it in the interface.

Navigating the building model

No.	Shortcut	What does this keyboard shortcut do?
68	O	Launch Orbit. Rotate the view around the model to assess, for example, roof shapes, facade proportions, and connections from multiple angles.
69	H	Start Pan. Move the model view within the window without moving the geometry or changing the viewing angle.
70	Z	Launch Zoom. Adjust the zoom level to view details or view details of the building at once.
71	Shift + Z	Runs Zoom Extents. Displays the visible model content appropriately; as a result, distant, isolated geometry can make the building appear small.

Save selections and undo changes

No.	Shortcut	What does this keyboard shortcut do?
72	Ctrl + A	Selects the available geometry within the active editing context. Within an open group, you do not automatically select all parts of the entire building.
73	Ctrl + Z	Undoes the previous model edit. Use this, for example, after an incorrect Push/Pull operation or an unintended movement of geometry.
74	Ctrl + Y	Re-executes an undone action if it is still available. Handy if you’ve gone back one step too far.
75	Ctrl + S	Save the model. Do this, for example, after completing a building mass, an interior variant, or a major change to components.

Vectorworks: 25 Essential Keyboard Shortcuts for Architecture and Construction

Vectorworks distinguishes between tools and commands. Many of the keys listed below activate a tool; you then select the desired mode from the toolbar. Use the top row of keys for numbers: the numeric keypad has different functions.

Selecting, navigating, and drawing 2D geometry

No.	Shortcut	What does this keyboard shortcut do?
76	X	Activate Selection. Select and edit objects using the available selection modes, for example, before moving a component or adjusting properties.
77	H	Activates Pan. Scroll the drawing view to access a different part of the floor plan or detail without moving objects.
78	Shift + C	Activates Flyover. Rotate the 3D view around the model to check, for example, building volumes and spatial connections from different directions.
79	C	Activates Zoom. Zoom in or out on the drawing view to work on details with greater precision or to see a larger portion of the product type.
80	1	Activate Text. Insert text into the drawing, for example, to provide additional clarification on a detail or a notation on a construction drawing.
81	2	Activate Line. Draw individual straight lines for, for example, guide lines, detailed information, or additional 2D geometry that does not form an independent construction element.
82	4	Activates Rectangle. Create rectangular geometry for, for example, a detailed contour, a schematic plane, or a basic shape that you can edit further later.
83	6	Activate Circle. Draw circles using the available construction modes, for example, as a 2D representation of round parts or as a starting point for further product type.
84	5	Activates Polyline. Create a continuous contour using straight and curved segments, for example, for a complex detail or a landscape boundary.
85	8	Activates 2D Polygon. Draw a polygonal outline with straight sides, for example, for an irregular surface or a schematic terrain layout.

Walls, connections, doors, and windows

No.	Shortcut	What does this keyboard shortcut do?
86	9	Activates Wall. Draw walls using the selected settings or wall style. Check the structure, height, and connections before continuing to model with them.
87	Alt + J	Activates Wall Join. Connects wall segments according to the selected connection type—such as a corner, T-joint, or intersection—within the building model.
88	Alt + Shift + J	Activates Component Join. Defines connections between compatible wall components when individual layers need to be joined differently than the wall as a whole.
89	Alt + Shift + D	Activates Door. Place a door object and check its style, dimensions, orientation, and relationship to the intended wall, among other things.
90	Shift + D	Activates Window. Place a window object in the building model using the available settings for dimensions, style, and position.

Dimensions, properties, and shaping

No.	Shortcut	What does this keyboard shortcut do?
91	N	Enables Constrained Linear Dimension. Create linear dimensions along the axes of the selected plane, for example, for horizontal and vertical distances on a floor plan.
92	Alt + 1	Activates Callout. Add an annotation with a leader line, for example, to indicate a material, structural connection, or construction note.
93	Shift + E	Activates the Eyedropper. Copy the properties of a source object and apply them to target objects according to the selected transfer settings.
94	–	Activates Reshape. Change the shape of supported objects using the available modes, for example, by moving the vertices of a contour.
95	=	Activates Mirror. Mirrors selected objects along a specified axis. The selected mode determines whether a mirrored copy is created.
96	Alt + =	Activates Rotate. Rotate selected objects using the available rotation modes, for example, to position drawing elements in a different orientation.
97	L	Activates Split. Split supported objects according to the selected cutting method, for example, to divide a contour into separately editable parts.
98	Shift + M	Activates Move by Points. Move, copy, or split selected objects based on reference points and the chosen tool mode.
99	Shift + R	Enables Push/Pull. Add volume to suitable flat geometry or edit supported 3D surfaces, for example, when quickly analyzing building masses.
100	Shift + 1	Activates Set Working Plane. Specify a working plane on which you want to draw or edit geometry, for example, on a sloped part of the model.

How to Use Architecture Shortcut Keys Without Typing Errors

First, select the correct context, and then start the command. Moving an object in a floor plan, a 3D window, or a layout may not have the same effect. Also, check whether you’ve selected an entire building element, individual geometry, or just an annotation.

When working with repetitive elements, use existing settings. In Revit, the “Create Similar” feature helps you continue placing elements of the same type. In Archicad, parameter transfer speeds up the process of applying settings. SketchUp components and Vectorworks object styles offer yet other ways to reuse elements.

A practical order to follow

1. Learn how to navigate: switch between relevant views and get back on track.
2. Learn to product type: practice with the building blocks or drawing shapes you use every day.
3. Learn to edit: add, move, copy, rotate, and align.
4. Check the result: view the modification from a second angle and verify measurements and connections.

A small set of shortcuts that you use consistently is a good start. Add brand new shortcuts as soon as a recurring task has you going to the same menu over and over again.

Frequently Asked Questions About Keyboard Shortcuts for Architecture and Construction

Do these keyboard shortcuts also work on a Mac?

This overview uses Windows keyboard shortcuts. Archicad, SketchUp, and Vectorworks also have Mac versions, but you can’t always directly replace Ctrl with Command. Some combinations are completely different. Revit does not have a native macos version.

Why does a keyboard shortcut work differently for my colleague?

A different user profile, a local program version, or a customized workspace may include different keys. Archicad and Vectorworks are clear examples of this. Imported keyboard shortcut settings can also override the default controls.

Do I need to press the letters simultaneously in Revit?

No. For the letter sequences mentioned, you press the keys one after the other. For “Wall,” you first press W and then A. This differs from a combination like Ctrl + D in Archicad.

Why aren’t the numbers in Vectorworks working as expected?

Vectorworks distinguishes between the top row of numbers and the numeric keypad. Use the top row for the tools mentioned. Also, make sure no numeric input field is active.

Which keys should you learn first?

Start by selecting, moving, and positioning elements on the screen. Then add the most commonly used drawing or modeling feature, such as “Wall” in Revit, “Drag” in Archicad, “Push/Pull” in SketchUp, or “Wall” in Vectorworks.

Key Insights

• Revit uses many consecutive letters: press W and A in succession to create a wall.
• Archicad takes your Work Environment into account: your profile, language version, and program version may affect the tests.
• SketchUp emphasizes the editing context: work consciously with individual geometry, groups, and components.
• Vectorworks distinguishes between tools, modes, and key rows: check all three before continuing to draw.
• Check for architectural implications: After making a change, review the dimensions, heights, and connections in the model.