---
title: Keyboard shortcuts
url: https://www.moldraw.com/docs/get-started/moldraw-keyboard-shortcuts-list/
section: Get started
updated: 2026-10-11
publisher: LabCanvas
---

# Keyboard shortcuts

> Press ? in the editor to see every shortcut. The most used are Ctrl+Z to undo, Ctrl+C to copy, 1, 2 and 3 for bond types, and letters like O or N to pick an element.

On a Mac, use ⌘ where this page says Ctrl. Change any shortcut in **Settings**, **Shortcuts**.

## Editing

| Action | Keys |
|---|---|
| Cancel edit / clear selection / close menus | `Esc` |
| Erase selected object | `Delete` or `Backspace` |
| Undo | `Ctrl` `Z` |
| Redo | `Ctrl` `Y` or `Ctrl` `Shift` `Z` |
| Select all | `Ctrl` `A` |
| Copy fragment | `Ctrl` `C` |
| Paste fragment | `Ctrl` `V` |
| Save entire canvas (.moldraw) | `Ctrl` `S` |

## Selection (Select menu)

| Action | Keys |
|---|---|
| Deselect | `Ctrl` `Shift` `A` |
| Invert selection | `Ctrl` `Shift` `I` |
| Select connected | `Ctrl` `Shift` `C` |
| Grow selection | `Ctrl` `Shift` `G` |
| Same as selection | `Ctrl` `Shift` `S` |
| Select all rings | `Ctrl` `Shift` `R` |
| Select heteroatoms | `Ctrl` `Shift` `H` |
| Chain atoms | `Alt` `Shift` `C` |
| Longest path | `Alt` `Shift` `L` |
| Side chains | `Alt` `Shift` `S` |
| All 5-rings | `Alt` `Shift` `5` |
| All 6-rings | `Alt` `Shift` `6` |
| Aromatic atoms | `Alt` `Shift` `A` |
| Charged atoms | `Alt` `Shift` `Q` |
| Wedge / dash atoms | `Alt` `Shift` `W` |
| CIP R / S centers | `Alt` `Shift` `R` |
| Aliases / R-groups | `Alt` `Shift` `G` |
| Bonds in selection | `Alt` `Shift` `B` |
| All bonds | `Ctrl` `Alt` `B` |
| Select tool | `V` |
| Lasso select tool | `L` |

## Navigation

| Action | Keys |
|---|---|
| Pan canvas (hand tool) | `Hand` drag |
| Temporary pan (hold, then drag) | `Space` drag |
| Pan | `Middle-click` drag |
| Pan vertically | `Scroll` `wheel` |
| Pan horizontally | `Shift` `Scroll` |
| Zoom toward pointer | `Ctrl` `Scroll` or `⌘` `Scroll` |
| Zoom in | `Ctrl` `=` or `Ctrl` `+` |
| Zoom out | `Ctrl` `-` |
| Reset zoom (100%) | `Ctrl` `1` |
| Fit all objects | `Ctrl` `0` |
| Pinch zoom | `Two-finger` `pinch` |
| Two-finger pan | `Two-finger` drag |
| Touch pan on empty canvas | `Touch` drag |

## Tools

| Action | Keys |
|---|---|
| Single bond | `1` |
| Double bond | `2` |
| Triple bond | `3` |
| Benzene ring | `B` |
| Select tool | `V` |
| Lasso select tool | `L` |
| Open this shortcuts panel | `?` or `Shift` `/` |

## Atom labels (placement element when no atom selected)

| Action | Keys |
|---|---|
| Carbon | `C` |
| Nitrogen | `N` |
| Oxygen | `O` |
| Sulfur | `S` |
| Phosphorus | `P` |
| Fluorine | `F` |
| Hydrogen | `H` |
| Chlorine | `Shift` `C` |
| Bromine | `Shift` `B` |
| Iodine | `I` |

## Type-to-rename (one atom selected)

| Action | Keys |
|---|---|
| Open inline label editor seeded with letter | `A` `to` `Z` |
| Multi-char symbols (Cl, Si, Br): keep typing | `C` `+` `l` |
| Abbreviations (Me, Et, Ph, Boc, OMe, NH2, …) | `type` `group` |
| Accept suggestion | `Tab` or `Enter` |
| Commit current text | `Enter` |
| Cancel | `Esc` |
| Quick rename (select tool) | `Double-click` `atom` |

## 3D Structure Perspective

| Action | Keys |
|---|---|
| 3D Clean Up (canvas pose: then drag to rotate) | `Ctrl` `Shift` `D` or `⌘` `Shift` `D` |
| Perspective tool / toggle depth shading | `Alt` `D` |

## Modifiers & canvas

| Action | Keys |
|---|---|
| Select entire connected molecule (atom or bond) | `Ctrl` click or `⌘` click |
| Add / toggle atom or bond in selection | `Shift` click |
| Esc priority: alias editor → deselect text → deselect arrow → clear atoms → close menu → select tool | `Esc` |
| Select tool on empty canvas: drag rectangle (marquee); Shift+drag for lasso | `Shift` drag |
| Rebind shortcuts in Settings → Shortcuts | `Settings` |
| Undo / redo / copy / paste use Ctrl on Windows/Linux or ⌘ on macOS | `Ctrl` |

> **Tip:** Shortcuts do not fire while you type in a text box or label.

## Questions and answers

**How do I see all shortcuts in the app?**
Press ? in the editor.

**Can I change shortcuts?**
Yes. Open Settings, then Shortcuts.