---
title: Keyboard Shortcuts for Prettify | Prettify Docs
description: "Every Prettify keyboard shortcut, grouped by task: Command
  Palette, paste, tabs, search, split view, editing, and desktop app menus."
url: https://prettify.tools/docs/keyboard-shortcuts
---

[Docs](https://prettify.tools/docs) / Desktop app

# Keyboard shortcuts

Last updated: October 16, 2026

Prettify has keyboard shortcuts for the common actions: open the Command Palette, paste, switch tabs, search, and more. This page lists every shortcut, grouped by task. The Command Palette (`Cmd+K` on Mac, `Ctrl+K` on Windows and Linux) also lists most actions by name, so you do not need to remember them all.

Most shortcuts work in the web app and the desktop app. On the web, the browser keeps a few keys, so those work only in the desktop app. The notes point them out.

## Global

| Action                                | Mac     | Windows, Linux |
| ------------------------------------- | ------- | -------------- |
| Open the Command Palette              | `Cmd+K` | `Ctrl+K`       |
| Toggle the theme                      | `Cmd+D` | `Ctrl+D`       |
| Close a dialog or the Command Palette | `Esc`   | `Esc`          |

The theme shortcut is ignored while you type in a field or a code editor.

## Load and tabs

| Action                | Mac           | Windows, Linux |
| --------------------- | ------------- | -------------- |
| Open the Paste dialog | `Cmd+V`       | `Ctrl+V`       |
| New tab               | `Cmd+T`       | `Ctrl+T`       |
| Close tab             | `Cmd+W`       | `Ctrl+W`       |
| Next tab              | `Cmd+Shift+]` | `Ctrl+Shift+]` |
| Previous tab          | `Cmd+Shift+[` | `Ctrl+Shift+[` |

The Paste dialog opens only when no other dialog is open and you are not typing in a field. See [Tabs](https://prettify.tools/docs/tabs).

On the web, the browser keeps New tab and Close tab, and it may keep the tab-switch keys. Use the plus button and the tab bar there. In the desktop app these keys control Prettify tabs.

## Search and replace

| Action                        | Mac                       | Windows, Linux |
| ----------------------------- | ------------------------- | -------------- |
| Open Search                   | `Cmd+F`                   | `Ctrl+F`       |
| Open Find and Replace         | `Cmd+H` or `Cmd+Option+F` | `Ctrl+H`       |
| Next match (search field)     | `Enter`                   | `Enter`        |
| Previous match (search field) | `Shift+Enter`             | `Shift+Enter`  |
| Close the search bar          | `Esc`                     | `Esc`          |

See [Search and Replace](https://prettify.tools/docs/search-and-replace).

On the Mac desktop app, `Cmd+H` hides the app, as in every Mac app. Use `Cmd+Option+F`, or choose Edit > Replace, to open Find and Replace there.

## Split view

| Action      | Mac           | Windows, Linux |
| ----------- | ------------- | -------------- |
| Split right | `Cmd+\`       | `Ctrl+\`       |
| Split down  | `Cmd+Shift+\` | `Ctrl+Shift+\` |

Split view is Pro and is not available on a phone screen. See [Split view](https://prettify.tools/docs/split-view).

## Editing and panels

| Action                                             | Mac         | Windows, Linux |
| -------------------------------------------------- | ----------- | -------------- |
| Save edits in the Raw view                         | `Cmd+Enter` | `Ctrl+Enter`   |
| Cancel an edit in the Raw view                     | `Esc`       | `Esc`          |
| Run the query ([jq](https://prettify.tools/docs/jq) or [SQL](https://prettify.tools/docs/sql)) | `Cmd+Enter` | `Ctrl+Enter`   |
| Run a merge                                        | `Cmd+Enter` | `Ctrl+Enter`   |
| Save the Mermaid source                            | `Cmd+S`     | `Ctrl+S`       |

### Diff navigation

| Action          | Key               |
| --------------- | ----------------- |
| Next change     | `Alt+Down` or `n` |
| Previous change | `Alt+Up` or `p`   |

See [Diff](https://prettify.tools/docs/diff).

### Table navigation

| Action                 | Key             |
| ---------------------- | --------------- |
| Move between cells     | Arrow keys      |
| Edit the selected cell | `Enter` or `F2` |
| Cancel a cell edit     | `Esc`           |

## Desktop app

These shortcuts come from the native menu of the desktop app. See [Desktop app](https://prettify.tools/docs/desktop-app).

| Action              | Mac           | Windows, Linux |
| ------------------- | ------------- | -------------- |
| New Tab (File menu) | `Cmd+N`       | `Ctrl+N`       |
| Open a file         | `Cmd+O`       | `Ctrl+O`       |
| Save As             | `Cmd+Shift+S` | `Ctrl+Shift+S` |
| Find                | `Cmd+F`       | `Ctrl+F`       |
| Minimize the window | `Cmd+M`       | `Ctrl+M`       |
| Quit                | `Cmd+Q`       | `Ctrl+Q`       |

### Global paste (desktop only)

The desktop app can paste your clipboard into a new tab from any other app. Turn it on in Settings under the clipboard options.

| Platform | Shortcut                   |
| -------- | -------------------------- |
| Mac      | `Control+Option+Command+V` |
| Windows  | `Ctrl+Alt+Win+V`           |
| Linux    | `Ctrl+Alt+Super+V`         |

Some Linux desktops, such as GNOME, can block a global shortcut. Settings shows a notice when the shortcut is not available.

## Related pages

[Getting started](https://prettify.tools/docs/getting-started), [Tabs](https://prettify.tools/docs/tabs), [Search and Replace](https://prettify.tools/docs/search-and-replace), [Split view](https://prettify.tools/docs/split-view), [Desktop app](https://prettify.tools/docs/desktop-app).

- [PreviousDesktop app](https://prettify.tools/docs/desktop-app)
- [Next Prettify Pro](https://prettify.tools/docs/pro)

## Structured data

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