In the world of digital image editing, Adobe Photoshop Elements is an indispensable tool for amateur photographers and design enthusiasts. However, in order to utilize the full potential of this software, it is crucial to master the keyboard shortcuts.

Keyboard shortcuts in Photoshop Elements are more than just handy shortcuts; they are the secret to a fast, smooth and efficient workflow. With these commands, you can reduce time-consuming mouse clicks, speed up your editing processes and gain more time for your creative development. They allow you to perform complex actions with just a few keystrokes, not only saving you time but also taking your editing skills to the next level.

In this article, we'll discover together the most powerful keyboard shortcuts in Adobe Photoshop Elements. Whether you're a beginner or looking to develop your skills, these commands will revolutionize your editing process and make your work with Photoshop Elements more efficient and enjoyable. Let's dive into the world of keyboard shortcuts and take your Photoshop Elements skills to the next level!

Table of Contents

File

FileShortcut
NewCtrl + N
Open fileCtrl + O
CloseCtrl + W
SaveCtrl + S
Save asCtrl + Shift + S
Save for WebCtrl + Shift + Alt + S
PrintCtrl + P
PresetsCtrl + K

View

ViewShortcut
Zoom inCtrl + +
Zoom outCtrl + -
Move viewHold space bar
Hide windowTab key
Entire imageCtrl + 0
100% viewCtrl + Alt + 0
Show/hide selectionCtrl + H
Show/hide rulersCtrl + Shift + R
Show/hide gridCtrl + 3
Show/hide guidesCtrl + 2
Fix guidesCtrl + Alt

Image and revise

Image and reviseShortcut
Image sizeCtrl + Alt + I
WorkspaceCtrl + Alt + C
InvertCtrl + I
Tone correctionCtrl + L
Intelligent Auto CorrectionCtrl + Alt + M
Auto Tone CorrectionCtrl + Shift + L
Auto ContrastCtrl + Shift + Alt + L
Auto Color CorrectionCtrl + Shift + B
Black and whiteCtrl + Alt + B
Hue/SaturationCtrl + U
Reduce saturationCtrl + Shift + U

Selection

SelectShortcut
Select allCtrl + A
Cancel selectionCtrl + D
Select selection againCtrl + Shift + D
Invert selectionCtrl + Shift + I
Soft selection edgeCtrl + Alt + D

Layer

LayerShortcut
New layerCtrl + Shift + N
Duplicate layerCtrl + J
Create clipping maskCtrl + G
Reduce to one layerCtrl + E
Reduce visible to one layerCtrl + Shift + E
Delete layerDelete key or Ctrl + J
Hide layer maskShift + click on mask thumbnail
Show layer maskAlt + click on mask thumbnail
Opacity1 - 0
Change blending modeShift + 0/+ or -
Select blending modeAlt + Shift + [letter]
Normal fill modeAlt + Shift + N
Sprinkle blending modeAlt + Shift + I
Darken blend modeAlt + Shift + K
Multiply blend modeAlt + Shift + M
Fill Mode Color BurnAlt + Shift + B
Fill Mode Linear BurnAlt + Shift + A
Brighten blend modeAlt + Shift + G
Multiply Negative blend modeAlt + Shift + S
Dodge Color blend modeAlt + Shift + D
Dodge Linear blend modeAlt + Shift + W
Blend mode Copy one into the otherAlt + Shift + O
Blending mode Soft lightAlt + Shift + F
Blending mode Hard lightAlt + Shift + H
Blending mode Radiant lightAlt + Shift + V
Linear Light blend modeAlt + Shift + J
Blending mode Light pointsAlt + Shift + Z
Blend mode Hard blendAlt + Shift + L
Difference blend modeAlt + Shift + E
Fill Method ExclusionAlt + Shift + X
Fill Mode HueAlt + Shift + U
Saturation blending modeAlt + Shift + T
Color blend modeAlt + Shift + C
Luminance blend modeAlt + Shift + Y
Apply filter againCtrl + F
Call up last filterCtrl + Alt + F

Toolbar

ToolbarShortcut
LassoL
Magnetic lassoL
Polygon lassoL
Crop toolC
Recompose toolC
Area Repair BrushJ
Repair BrushJ
EraserE
Background eraserE
Magic eraserE
Smart Brush ToolF
Detail Smart Brush toolF
Blur toolR
SharpenerR
Wipe fingerR
SpongeO
DodgeO
PostsetterO
Selection rectangleM
Selection ellipseM
Quick selection toolA
Selection BrushA
Horizontal text toolT
Vertical text toolT
Horizontal text masking toolT
Vertical text masking toolT
Text on selection toolT
Text-on-form toolT
Text-on-own-path toolT
Copy StampS
Pattern stampS
BrushB
Impressionist brushB
Replace color toolB
Colored pencilN
Rectangle toolU
Rounded rectangle toolU
Ellipse toolU
Polygon toolU
Line DrawerU
Custom shape toolU
Shape selection toolU

Did you know ...

  • that you can perform batch processing for many images in the Organizer? For example, if you want to send images in a smaller resolution by e-mail, select all the images and save them in the batch as a JPEG in a smaller resolution using Ctrl + E.
  • that you can intuitively control the size of a tool tip with Alt + right-click + left/right movement with the mouse? Moving the mouse to the left makes the tool tip smaller and moving it to the right makes it larger. If you also hold down the  button, you can vary the degree of hardness. The tool tip becomes softer when moving to the left and harder when moving to the right.
  • that you can easily merge several group images in Elements' assistant mode? In one image, person A is looking away in the second, person B. A familiar problem. Solution? Simply open both images and call up the function via Photomerge > Group image. Follow the instructions and you're done.
  • that you can assign different blending modes to the painting tools (e.g. the brush) with the same shortcuts as for the layers panel?
  • that you can use the Alt key to activate the eyedropper while editing as long as the key is pressed. This is particularly useful when painting with brushes and the like to quickly set additional colors from the document as foreground colors.
  • that you can also pick up colors outside of Photoshop Elements? Hold down the Alt key and the mouse button and go to the area outside of Elements where the desired color is located. The color picker immediately adjusts the color to the movement of the eyedropper. When you release the mouse button, this color remains in the color picker.
  • that you can hide all other layers by pressing Alt and clicking on the eye symbol in the layer control panel?
  • that you can also intuitively adjust the opacity slider? To do this, move the mouse pointer over the slider. When the hand with the double arrow appears, you can set the slider value with a left/right movement.
  • that you can copy layers and effects via drag & drop by holding down the Alt key?

6 points for working effectively

  1. Always name layers
    If a document contains more than three layers, name them according to their content. This way, you can always keep track of extensive documents with many adjustment layers, fill layers, layer masks etc. and very small layer contents.
  2. Layer masks
    The layer mask specifies what of a layer should be visible (white) and what should be hidden (black). Black color in the mask hides layer content, while white color makes it visible again. Layer masks are therefore very effective for clipping and collages.
  3. Adjustment layers
    Use the adjustment layers for corrections! Almost all correction tools are available as adjustment layers. The desired effect is calculated with the adjustment layer. All pixels are retained and the settings can be changed at any time without loss.
  4. Clipping masks
    If adjustment layers should only affect the underlying layer, a clipping mask can help. You can also create great text-image effects with clipping masks.
  5. Using editing modes
    Many advanced users of Photoshop Elements usually only work with the "Full" editing mode and don't even know that there are some very useful and time-saving functions hidden behind the "Assistant" mode, for example. For example, the group image photomerge or effects such as out-of-bounds and the image stack.
  6. Sharing functions
    It is very easy to share single or multiple files directly from Photoshop Elements. If you want to upload your images directly to a Facebook or Flickr album, for example, or perhaps send your customer all the images from a shoot by e-mail, you can do this easily using this module. All images are automatically reduced in size, compressed and sent to multiple recipients with a personal message. So you can quickly and easily share your
    share your own work with others!
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Shortcuts for Adobe Photoshop Elements - Keyboard shortcuts at a glance

Published on by Stefan Petri
Published on:
From Stefan Petri
Together with his brother Matthias, Stefan Petri runs the popular specialist forum PSD-Tutorials.de and the e-learning platform TutKit.com, which focuses on the training and further education of digital professional skills.