Commands and Shortcuts

FontLab uses different shortcut systems for tools, commands, and navigation. Knowing which system a key belongs to helps when customizing it or diagnosing a key that behaves differently in another window.

Shortcut Types

A tool shortcut is usually a single key. Tapping selects the tool; holding a supported tool key temporarily selects it and returns to the previous tool when released. Modifiers can alter the temporary tool's behavior while it is held.

These fixed tool keys are not reassigned through the menu-command shortcut editor. They also depend on context: a letter typed into a text field or Font-window search does not necessarily switch tools.

Menu-command shortcuts are associated with named commands. For menu-command notation, macOS Cmd generally corresponds to Windows Ctrl, Shift remains Shift, and Option corresponds to Alt. Do not translate every physical-Control drawing gesture mechanically; consult the command’s current assignment and the complete shortcut tables in Volume Two. Physical Control can have a distinct purpose in drawing or kerning gestures.

Navigation shortcuts include moving through glyphs, text, layers, masters, and workspaces. Check the active window and mode before using one. The same arrow key can navigate a list, change a value, or move selected geometry according to focus.

Edit > Repeat uses Cmd+R on macOS or Ctrl+R on Windows to run the last repeatable command again. The item includes the command’s name and becomes available only when that command can act in the current context. Inspect the selection before repeating a content-changing operation.

Other useful default command shortcuts are Cmd+Shift+R on macOS or Ctrl+Shift+R on Windows for Rulers, Shift+R for Rotate 90°, and Cmd+4 or Ctrl+4 for View > Zoom > Fit Selection. These are command assignments; a custom shortcut set can replace them. Do not confuse a default with a fixed single-letter tool key.

Customizing Shortcuts

Open Commands & Shortcuts with Cmd+Shift+P on macOS or Ctrl+Shift+P on Windows. The compact view searches commands; use its gear control to expand the customization interface.

When the search field is empty, the compact Commands view places up to three recently run commands first. Type a name to search the broader list.

To assign a shortcut:

  1. Find and select the intended command.
  2. Focus the shortcut-entry field.
  3. Press the proposed key combination.
  4. Review any conflict and use Set to assign it.
  5. Try the command from its intended working context.

Expanded Commands and Shortcuts dialog with command search, selection, shortcut entry, Set, and Go.

Search and select the command first, then use the shortcut-entry field and Set. Go runs the selected command, so confirm the working context before using it.

Clear an assignment to remove it, or reset deliberately to restore default mappings. Export custom shortcuts as JSON before replacing a developed setup, and import them when moving to another workstation.

Choose combinations that remain available on the target operating system and keyboard layout. Alt and Shift+Alt combinations can be useful, but may interact with text input or system shortcuts. A combination accepted in the dialog still needs testing in the context where you intend to use it.

Workspace shortcuts provide a quick way to change panel layouts. Keep them distinct from the commands used inside those layouts so a proofing shortcut does not unexpectedly move the interface during editing.

Single-letter tool keys are fixed and cannot be reassigned through supported shortcut customization. Use its search function to confirm whether the target is a menu command before trying to assign it there.

Non-English Keyboard Layouts

Preferences > General > Non-English keyboard shortcuts helps supported single-key shortcuts follow physical key positions rather than only the characters produced by the active layout.

Choose the behavior that matches how you work, then test the tools and punctuation keys you use most. Text entry, operating-system shortcuts, and command combinations still have their own context; the preference is not a universal remapping of every key in every field.

When sharing a shortcut set, record the platform and keyboard layout. That makes an apparent failure easier to distinguish from a different physical key or a system-level conflict.

This develops the command palette and Edit > Repeat introduced in Menus, Dialogs, and Controls.