RStudio IDE keyboard shortcuts
In RStudio the keys that matter most send code to R: a line, a chunk, a section or the whole file, each with its own shortcut. Posit gives one set for Windows and Linux and another for the Mac, and a few change when RStudio runs in a browser, which the notes point out. These are the default bindings; Tools > Modify Keyboard Shortcuts changes any of them, and the Emacs, Vim and Sublime Text keymaps change some.
Checked against Posit — RStudio User Guide: Keyboard Shortcuts, Posit — RStudio User Guide: Text Editor, Posit — RStudio User Guide: Custom Shortcuts and Posit — RStudio and Posit Workbench release notes. Version: RStudio 2026.09.0, Desktop and Server, default keybindings.
Showing the Windows keyboard. Showing the Mac keyboard.
163 shortcuts
The top 20 are the RStudio shortcuts this page marks as the ones to learn first, in the order they appear here. The drill asks the marked ones first too, shuffled. Or tick your own and print those.
The 20 to learn first: the shortcuts the RStudio page marks as the ones to learn first, in the order they appear on it.
Your own sheet: the RStudio shortcuts you ticked.
Start here
The palette finds any command by name and shows its key beside it, so it is the one shortcut that teaches the rest.
Practise theseOpen the command palette # Commands and most settings are in it, each shown with its key where it has one. In Firefox the Windows and Linux key is Ctrl+Alt+Shift+P.WinControl plusShift plusPMacShift plusCommand plusP
Show the keyboard shortcut reference #WinAlt plusShift plusKMacOption plusShift plusK
Go to a file or function by name # Ctrl on a Mac too.WinControl plusFull stopMacControl plusFull stop
Show help for the function at the cursor #WinF1MacF1
Show the source code of the function at the cursor #WinF2MacF2
Search R help #WinControl plusAlt plusF1MacControl plusOption plusF1
Go to the previous help topic #WinAlt plusShift plusF2MacOption plusShift plusF2
Go to the next help topic #WinAlt plusShift plusF3MacOption plusShift plusF3
Open Global Options # In Safari or Firefox it is Opt+Cmd+, instead. The reference gives no Windows key.WinNo shortcutMacCommand plusComma
Open Project Options # The reference gives no Windows key.WinNo shortcutMacShift plusCommand plusComma
Quit the session # RStudio Desktop only.WinControl plusQMacCommand plusQ
Running code and knitting
Send a line, a section, a chunk or the whole file to R without leaving the editor.
Practise theseRun the current line or selection # Alt+Enter, or Opt+Enter on a Mac, runs it and leaves the cursor where it is.WinControl plusEnterMacCommand plusReturn
Run the line or selection without moving the cursor #WinAlt plusEnterMacOption plusReturn
Run the whole document #WinControl plusAlt plusRMacOption plusCommand plusR
Run from the start of the document to this line #WinControl plusAlt plusBMacOption plusCommand plusB
Run from this line to the end of the document #WinControl plusAlt plusEMacOption plusCommand plusE
Run the function definition the cursor is in # Restored in RStudio 2026.07.0, after the Find in Console command had taken the key by mistake.WinControl plusAlt plusFMacOption plusCommand plusF
Run the current code section #WinControl plusAlt plusTMacOption plusCommand plusT
Run the previous region again #WinControl plusAlt plusPMacOption plusCommand plusP
Source the current document #WinControl plusShift plusSMacShift plusCommand plusS
Source the current document with echo #WinControl plusShift plusEnterMacShift plusCommand plusReturn
Source a file # Ctrl, not Cmd, on a Mac.WinControl plusAlt plusGMacControl plusOption plusG
Send the line or selection to the terminal #WinControl plusAlt plusEnterMacOption plusCommand plusReturn
Insert a code chunk # In R Markdown and Sweave documents. Since 2026.04.0 it also works in an R Markdown editor popped out into its own window.WinControl plusAlt plusIMacOption plusCommand plusI
Run the current chunk # R Markdown and Sweave.WinControl plusAlt plusCMacOption plusCommand plusC
Run the next chunk # R Markdown and Sweave.WinControl plusAlt plusNMacOption plusCommand plusN
Run the previous R Markdown or Sweave code #WinControl plusAlt plusShift plusPMacOption plusShift plusCommand plusP
Knit the document # The same key previews HTML and Markdown, compiles a notebook, and compiles a PDF from TeX or Sweave.WinControl plusShift plusKMacShift plusCommand plusK
Switch the visual markdown editor on or off # Ctrl on a Mac too.WinControl plusShift plusF4MacControl plusShift plusF4
Restart the R session # Cmd+Shift+0 on a Mac, not F10.WinControl plusShift plusF10MacShift plusCommand plus0
Editing
Practise theseInsert the assignment operator # Types R's <- arrow. RStudio 2026.04.0 fixed it, and other Alt keys, not working on Windows 11 25H2.WinAlt plusMinusMacOption plusMinus
Insert the pipe operator # Inserts R's native |> by default since 2026.06.0. Turn off the "Use R's native pipe operator, |>" preference to get %>% instead.WinControl plusShift plusMMacShift plusCommand plusM
Comment or uncomment the line or selection #WinControl plusShift plusCMacShift plusCommand plusC
Delete the line #WinControl plusDMacCommand plusD
Move the line up or down # Moves a selection of several lines too.WinAlt plusUp arroworAlt plusDown arrowMacOption plusUp arroworOption plusDown arrow
Copy the line up or down # Copies a selection of several lines too.WinAlt plusShift plusUp arroworAlt plusShift plusDown arrowMacOption plusCommand plusUp arroworOption plusCommand plusDown arrow
Reindent the lines #WinControl plusIMacCommand plusI
Reformat the selection #WinControl plusShift plusAMacShift plusCommand plusA
Reflow the comment # Ctrl on a Mac too.WinControl plusShift plusSlashMacControl plusShift plusSlash
Indent # At the start of a line.WinTabMacTab
Outdent #WinShift plusTabMacShift plusTab
Paste with indentation #WinControl plusShift plusVMacShift plusCommand plusV
Undo #WinControl plusZMacCommand plusZ
Redo # Not Ctrl+Y on Windows: that pastes back text cut with Ctrl+U or Ctrl+K.WinControl plusShift plusZMacShift plusCommand plusZ
Extract a function from the selection # Variables the selection uses but does not create become the new function's arguments.WinControl plusAlt plusXMacOption plusCommand plusX
Extract a variable from the selection #WinControl plusAlt plusVMacOption plusCommand plusV
Rename the symbol within its scope #WinControl plusAlt plusShift plusMMacOption plusShift plusCommand plusM
Insert a Roxygen skeleton #WinControl plusAlt plusShift plusRMacOption plusShift plusCommand plusR
Swap the two letters around the cursor # Mac only. The reference gives no Windows key.WinNo shortcutMacControl plusT
Cut the line up to the cursor # RStudio calls this yanking. Ctrl+Y puts the text back.WinControl plusUMacControl plusU
Cut the line after the cursor # Ctrl on a Mac too.WinControl plusKMacControl plusK
Paste the yanked text back # The text last cut with Ctrl+U or Ctrl+K.WinControl plusYMacControl plusY
Delete the word to the left #WinControl plusBackspaceMacOption plusDeleteorControl plusOption plusDelete
Delete the word to the right # The reference gives no Windows key.WinNo shortcutMacOption plusForward Delete
Selecting and multiple cursors
Practise theseAdd a cursor on the line above #WinControl plusAlt plusUp arrowMacControl plusOption plusUp arrow
Add a cursor on the line below #WinControl plusAlt plusDown arrowMacControl plusOption plusDown arrow
Move the active cursor up #WinControl plusAlt plusShift plusUp arrowMacControl plusOption plusShift plusUp arrow
Move the active cursor down #WinControl plusAlt plusShift plusDown arrowMacControl plusOption plusShift plusDown arrow
Make a rectangular selection with the mouse # The Text Editor guide names Alt only and gives no separate Mac key.WinAlt plusdragMacNot listed
Select a rectangle from the cursor to where you click # The Text Editor guide names Alt only and gives no separate Mac key.WinAlt plusShift plusclickMacNot listed
Split the selection into lines #WinControl plusAlt plusAMacControl plusOption plusA
Edit the selected lines from their start #WinControl plusAlt plusShift plusAMacControl plusOption plusShift plusA
Expand the selection #WinControl plusShift plusUp arrowMacControl plusOption plusShift plusUp arrow
Shrink the selection #WinControl plusShift plusDown arrowMacControl plusOption plusShift plusDown arrow
Expand the selection to the matching bracket #WinControl plusAlt plusShift plusEMacControl plusShift plusE
Select a word at a time #WinControl plusShift plusLeft arroworControl plusShift plusRight arrowMacOption plusShift plusLeft arroworOption plusShift plusRight arrow
Select to the start of the line #WinAlt plusShift plusLeft arrowMacShift plusCommand plusLeft arrow
Select to the end of the line #WinAlt plusShift plusRight arrowMacShift plusCommand plusRight arrow
Select to the start of the document # The reference also lists Shift+Alt+Up for copying lines up.WinControl plusShift plusHomeorAlt plusShift plusUp arrowMacShift plusCommand plusUp arrow
Select to the end of the document # The reference also lists Shift+Alt+Down for copying lines down.WinControl plusShift plusEndorAlt plusShift plusDown arrowMacShift plusCommand plusDown arrow
Select a page up or down #WinShift plusPage UporShift plusPage DownMacShift plusPage UporShift plusPage Down
Finding and replacing
Practise theseFind and replace # With the console focused, the same key searches the console instead.WinControl plusFMacCommand plusF
Find the next match # On Linux the reference gives Ctrl+G.WinF3MacCommand plusG
Find the previous match # On Linux the reference gives Ctrl+Shift+G.WinShift plusF3MacShift plusCommand plusG
Use the selection as the search text # It fills the find bar only. Before 2026.04.0 it also jumped to the next match.WinControl plusF3MacCommand plusE
Replace this match and find the next #WinControl plusShift plusJMacShift plusCommand plusJ
Find in files #WinControl plusShift plusFMacShift plusCommand plusF
Show the Find in Files results #WinControl plusF6MacCommand plusF6
Check the spelling #WinF7MacF7
Files and tabs
Practise theseMake a new document # In Chrome it is Ctrl+Alt+Shift+N, or Cmd+Opt+Shift+N on a Mac.WinControl plusShift plusNMacShift plusCommand plusN
Open a document #WinControl plusOMacCommand plusO
Save the document #WinControl plusSMacCommand plusS
Save every open document #WinControl plusAlt plusSMacOption plusCommand plusS
Close the document # In Chrome it is Ctrl+Alt+W, or Cmd+Opt+W on a Mac.WinControl plusWMacCommand plusW
Close every open document #WinControl plusShift plusWMacShift plusCommand plusW
Close the other documents #WinControl plusAlt plusShift plusWMacOption plusShift plusCommand plusW
Switch to a tab by name # Ctrl on a Mac too.WinControl plusShift plusFull stopMacControl plusShift plusFull stop
Go to the previous tab # RStudio Desktop also takes Ctrl+Shift+Tab.WinControl plusF11orControl plusAlt plusLeft arrowMacControl plusF11orControl plusOption plusLeft arrow
Go to the next tab # RStudio Desktop also takes Ctrl+Tab.WinControl plusF12orControl plusAlt plusRight arrowMacControl plusF12orControl plusOption plusRight arrow
Go to the first tab #WinControl plusShift plusF11orControl plusAlt plusShift plusLeft arrowMacControl plusShift plusF11orControl plusOption plusShift plusLeft arrow
Go to the last tab #WinControl plusShift plusF12orControl plusAlt plusShift plusRight arrowMacControl plusShift plusF12orControl plusOption plusShift plusRight arrow
Add a source column #WinControl plusF7MacCommand plusF7
Sync the editor and the PDF preview #WinControl plusF8MacCommand plusF8
Panes and focus
Ctrl and a number, Ctrl on a Mac too, jumps to a pane. Add Shift to zoom that pane.
Practise theseMove focus to the source editor # Ctrl on a Mac too. Ctrl+Shift+1 zooms the editor.WinControl plus1MacControl plus1
Move focus to the console # Ctrl+Shift+2 zooms the console.WinControl plus2MacControl plus2
Move focus to help # Ctrl+Shift+3 zooms help.WinControl plus3MacControl plus3
Show the history #WinControl plus4MacControl plus4
Show the files #WinControl plus5MacControl plus5
Show the plots #WinControl plus6MacControl plus6
Show the packages #WinControl plus7MacControl plus7
Show the environment #WinControl plus8MacControl plus8
Show the viewer #WinControl plus9MacControl plus9
Show all the panes # No Shift on a Mac.WinControl plusAlt plusShift plus0MacControl plusOption plus0
Show Git or SVN #WinControl plusF1MacCommand plusF1
Show the build pane #WinControl plusF2MacCommand plusF2
Show the connections # The reference gives no Mac key.WinControl plusF5MacNo shortcut
Move focus to the next pane #WinF6MacF6
Move focus to the previous pane #WinShift plusF6MacShift plusF6
Move focus to the main toolbar #WinAlt plusShift plusYMacControl plusOption plusY
Turn "Tab key always moves focus" on or off #WinAlt plusShift plusLeft bracketMacControl plusOption plusLeft bracket
Turn screen reader support on or off #WinAlt plusShift plusSlashMacControl plusOption plusSlash
Speak the text editor location #WinAlt plusShift plus1MacControl plusOption plus1
Console, completion and terminal
Practise theseClear the console # Ctrl on a Mac too.WinControl plusLMacControl plusL
Interrupt the running command #WinEscapeMacEscape
Step through earlier commands #WinUp arroworDown arrowMacUp arroworDown arrow
Pop up the command history #WinControl plusUp arrowMacCommand plusUp arrow
Go to the start of the command # Since 2026.09.0 this goes to the start of the whole command, not of the wrapped line.WinHomeMacCommand plusLeft arrow
Go to the end of the command #WinEndMacCommand plusRight arrow
Change the working directory # Ctrl on a Mac too.WinControl plusShift plusHMacControl plusShift plusH
Move focus to the console output #WinControl plusBacktickorAlt plusShift plus2MacControl plusBacktickorControl plusOption plus2
Complete the name you are typing # In the console and the editor.WinTaborControl plusSpace barMacTaborCommand plusSpace bar
Move through the suggestions #WinUp arroworDown arrowMacUp arroworDown arrow
Accept the suggestion #WinEnterorTaborRight arrowMacReturnorTaborRight arrow
Dismiss the suggestions #WinEscapeMacEscape
Open a new terminal #WinAlt plusShift plusRMacOption plusShift plusR
Move focus to the terminal #WinAlt plusShift plusMMacOption plusShift plusM
Go to the previous terminal #WinAlt plusShift plusF11MacOption plusShift plusF11
Go to the next terminal #WinAlt plusShift plusF12MacOption plusShift plusF12
Debugging, packages, Git and plots
Practise theseSet or clear a breakpoint #WinShift plusF9MacShift plusF9
Run the next line while debugging #WinF10MacF10
Step into the function #WinShift plusF4MacShift plusF4
Finish the function or loop #WinShift plusF7MacShift plusF7
Continue running #WinShift plusF5MacShift plusF5
Stop debugging #WinShift plusF8MacShift plusF8
Install the package and restart #WinControl plusShift plusBMacShift plusCommand plusB
Load all of the package # Uses devtools.WinControl plusShift plusLMacShift plusCommand plusL
Test the package # In RStudio Desktop. In the browser it is Ctrl+Alt+F7, or Cmd+Opt+F7 on a Mac.WinControl plusShift plusTMacShift plusCommand plusT
Check the package #WinControl plusShift plusEMacShift plusCommand plusE
Document the package #WinControl plusShift plusDMacShift plusCommand plusD
Show the diff for this document #WinControl plusAlt plusDMacControl plusOption plusD
Commit changes #WinControl plusAlt plusMMacControl plusOption plusM
Stage or unstage the file # Git only.WinSpace barMacSpace bar
Stage or unstage it and move to the next # Git only.WinEnterMacReturn
Scroll the diff #WinControl plusUp arroworControl plusDown arrowMacControl plusUp arroworControl plusDown arrow
Show the previous plot #WinControl plusAlt plusF11orControl plusShift plusPage UpMacOption plusCommand plusF11orShift plusCommand plusPage Up
Show the next plot #WinControl plusAlt plusF12orControl plusShift plusPage DownMacOption plusCommand plusF12orShift plusCommand plusPage Down
Next
Jupyter
A Jupyter notebook has two modes: in edit mode your keys type into a cell, and in command mode single letters such as A, B and D then D act on whole cells.
VS Code
VS Code has more shortcuts than anyone can hold in their head, so this page is ordered by how often you would actually reach for one.
Excel
Excel rewards the keyboard more than any other program on this site: the difference between a competent user and a fast one is almost entirely in this list.
Terminal
Almost everything here comes from readline, the line editor that bash and zsh both use.
RStudio IDE keyboard shortcuts — comboshelf.com. Checked 27 September 2026 against Posit — RStudio User Guide: Keyboard Shortcuts.