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Photoshop Fill Shortcuts

Using keyboard shortcuts in Photoshop saves time

By Sue Chastain Sue Chastain Writer St. Petersburg College Sue Chastain is a former Lifewire writer and a graphics software authority with web design and print publishing credentials. She's also skilled in WordPress administration. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on April 27, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email

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Expand Jump to a Section Shortcut Formats Fill Layers Preserve Transparency Edit > Fill Dialog Swap or Undo Colors Other Handy Shortcuts Using keyboard shortcuts in any program makes projects a bit easier. You don't have to hunt for menus or pause from the task at hand. Once you start using shortcuts, you'll probably forget where the menu item attached to that shortcut is found in the Photoshop menus. You don't have to go to the toolbar or menus to fill a layer in Photoshop. Just commit your favorite shortcuts to memory and let your fingers loose on the keyboard. These instructions apply to Photoshop CS5 and later. Some menu items and shortcuts may be different between versions.

Shortcut Formats

Shortcuts are listed beside menu items. Depending on your operating system, you may need to press a modifier key. The common modifier keys used with shortcuts are: Command on a Mac or Ctrl on a PCOption on a Mac or Alt on a PCShift For example, to deselect a selection in Photoshop, the keyboard command on a Mac is Command+D. On a PC, it is Ctrl+D. Most of the tools in Photoshop have their own, single-key shortcuts. Here some important ones: Use Shift with these commands to cycle through different types of tools, if they're available. For example, Pressing Shift + M lets you switch between the elliptical and rectangular marquees. V: MoveM: MarqueeL: LassoW: Magic WandC: CropB: BrushG: Paint BucketT: TextU: Shape

Keyboard Shortcuts to Fill Layers

To fill a Photoshop layer or selected area with the foreground color, use the keyboard shortcut Alt+Backspace in Windows or Option+Delete on a Mac. Fill a layer with the background color using Ctrl+Backspace in Windows or Command+Delete on a Mac.

Preserve Transparency With a Shortcut

Add the Shift key to the fill layers shortcuts to preserve transparency while you're filling. For example, use Shift+Ctrl+Backspace for background color. This shortcut only fills the areas that contain pixels. Add the Shift key to preserve transparency when filling from history. This shortcut doesn't work in Elements.

Open the Edit > Fill Dialog

Use Shift+Backspace in Windows or Shift+Delete on a Mac to open the Edit > Fill dialog for other fill options in Photoshop.

Swapping or Undoing Colors

Use the X key to swap foreground and background colors. Use the D key to reset foreground or background colors back to black and white.

Other Handy Shortcuts

There are plenty of other keyboard shortcuts for Photoshop, including: Use Ctrl+Alt+Backspace in Windows or Command+Delete on a Mac to fill from the active history state.Pressing a number key when an object is selected increases or decreases opacity by 10 percent. For example, pressing the 1 key reduces the opacity to 10 percent. Pressing the 0 key returns the selection to 100 percent opacity. Press two numbers quickly to set transparency to other numbers, like 56 percent.Using Shift plus any numeric key changes opacity and fills a selected layer. It can also change the opacity and fill of the tool if you're using a drawing tool.Use Command+I on a Mac or Ctrl+I in Windows to invert parts of a layer when you invert colors of a layer mask. Ctrl+Alt+Shift+E in Windows or Command+Option+Shift+E on a Mac allows you to keep all of your layers but merge them so that you can convert them into a flattened layer. This shortcut also allows you to duplicate a merged layer.Use Ctrl+Alt+Shift in Windows or Command+Option+Shift on a Mac while you're loading Photoshop if you want to go back to the default settings and user interface. Hold these buttons while the program loads. You can create custom shortcuts by selecting Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Make a Pattern in Photoshop Getting Around Photoshop CC How to Change Background Color in Photoshop How to Use the Photoshop Background Eraser Tool How to Apply Rubber Stamp Effects in Photoshop Elements 8 How to Make Digital Washi Tape in Photoshop or Elements The Best Windows Keyboard Shortcuts in 2022 The 5 Best Alternatives to Photoshop for Android How to Hide and Unhide Columns, Rows, and Cells in Excel Creating and Using Custom Brushes in Photoshop Elements How to Remove the Background in Photoshop Useful Keyboard Shortcuts for Photoshop CC How to Copy and Paste on a Laptop The Best Mac Shortcuts in 2022 How to Turn off Sticky Keys on Windows How to Add Accents in Word Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies