# How to show keyboard shortcuts in Figma on Mac: panel, Help button and layout fixes

> Learn how to show keyboard shortcuts in Figma on Mac: press Control Shift ?, use the Help button, or try the actions menu. Layout fixes too.

URL: https://www.lazur.app/how-to/show-the-keyboard-shortcuts-panel-in-figma
Updated: 2026-11-06

To show keyboard shortcuts in Figma on Mac, press Control Shift ? while a file is open. If nothing happens, click Help and resources in the bottom-right corner and choose Keyboard shortcuts.

## Quick answer

- Press Control Shift ? with a Figma file open. Figma's Help Center lists this as the Mac shortcut.
- If the keys do nothing, click Help and resources in the bottom-right corner, then choose Keyboard shortcuts.
- Or press ⌘ K, type Keyboard shortcuts, and choose it from the actions menu.
- If the keys do not match your keyboard, open the Layout tab and pick your layout.

Applies to: Figma on macOS, in the desktop app or a browser. App version not verified.. Time: 3 min. Difficulty: Easy.

## What you need

- A Figma file open in the desktop app or a browser on your Mac
- The name of your keyboard layout, which you can check in your Mac's keyboard settings
- A few minutes to test each route once

## How to Show keyboard shortcuts in Figma on Mac in Figma on a Mac

1. **Open a Figma file.** Open a Figma file in the Figma desktop app or in a browser on your Mac. Make sure the file is on screen, not only the Figma home page. The help page does not say whether the panel opens from the home screen, so test it in a file. Tip: A small test file is enough for this check.
2. **Press Control Shift ?.** Shortcut: ⌃ ⇧ ?. Hold Control and Shift, then press the question mark key. Figma's Help Center writes this as Control Shift ? for Mac. On a US keyboard, you press Shift and slash together to get the question mark. Tip: If nothing opens, click an empty part of the canvas and try once more.
3. **Find Help and resources.** (Help and resources (bottom-right)) Look at the bottom-right corner of the Figma window. Click the Help and resources button. Use this step only if the shortcut did not open the panel.
4. **Choose Keyboard shortcuts.** (Help and resources > Keyboard shortcuts) In the menu that opens, click Keyboard shortcuts. The panel opens along the bottom of the screen, with category tabs.
5. **Or use the actions menu.** (Actions menu > Preferences > Keyboard shortcuts) Shortcut: ⌘ K. Press ⌘ K to open the actions menu. Type Keyboard shortcuts into the search. Choose the result to open the panel. Tip: You can also click the Actions icon in the Figma Design toolbar.
6. **Read the tabs and highlights.** Use the category tabs to jump to the group you need. Shortcuts you have already used are highlighted, so the panel doubles as a quick record of your habits.
7. **Open the Layout tab.** (Help and resources > Keyboard shortcuts > Layout) If the keys do not match your keyboard, open the Layout tab. Pick your layout from the dropdown. Hover over an option to preview it before you choose it.
8. **Restore defaults if needed.** (Main menu > Preferences > Keyboard layout) Choose Generic in the Layout tab to return to Figma's default mappings. You can also set the layout from the main menu under Preferences > Keyboard layout. The setting applies to your whole account. Tip: Figma may warn you if your system keyboard changes. Check the layout again when it does.
9. **Close the panel.** The Help Center does not name the close control, so look for one on the panel itself. If you cannot find it, test Escape. Figma's page does not confirm which control or key closes the panel.

## Show keyboard shortcuts in Figma on Mac with Control Shift ?

The fastest route is the keyboard shortcut. Figma's Help Center lists it for Mac as Control Shift ?. Hold Control and Shift, then press the question mark key. On a US keyboard, the question mark sits on the slash key, so you press Shift and slash together.

Open a file first. The Help Center does not say whether the panel opens from the home screen, so test it in a file on screen. If nothing opens, click an empty part of the canvas and press the shortcut once more. That click gives the file focus, so the keys reach Figma.

## What the shortcuts panel shows once it opens

The panel opens along the bottom of the screen. It sorts shortcuts into category tabs, so you do not scroll one long list. Figma's help page also describes a Layout tab among those tabs. You use that tab when your keys and your keyboard disagree.

Shortcuts you have already used are highlighted. That makes the panel a quick record of your habits. It also shows which keys you have never touched. The panel stays usable while it is open. You can keep working in the file with it visible, which suits a second monitor or a smaller window.

## Route 2: the Help and resources button

If the shortcut does nothing, use the button instead. Look at the bottom-right corner of the Figma window and click Help and resources. Then choose Keyboard shortcuts from the menu. This route needs a click, not a key combination, so it works when the keys fail.

Keep this route in mind as your backup. Clicking does not depend on your keys matching the layout, so it helps while you sort out the mapping. Figma's pages do not say whether the browser version behaves differently, so test it in the app you use.

## Route 3: the actions menu and ⌘ K

Figma's actions menu opens with ⌘ K on Mac. You can also click the Actions icon in the Figma Design toolbar. Type Keyboard shortcuts into the search, then pick the result. The actions article lists the same item under Preferences, so you can browse there if you do not want to search.

## Is there a menu bar path to the panel on Mac?

Not in the official Help Center. I could not find a Mac menu bar item that opens the shortcuts panel, so this guide does not invent one. The documented routes are the shortcut, the Help and resources button, and the actions menu.

The main menu does matter for a nearby setting. Open the main menu and go to Preferences > Keyboard layout. That setting applies to your whole account, not to one file, so change it with care.

| Route | What you do | Use it when |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Shortcut | Press Control Shift ? with a file open | You know the shortcut and your layout matches |
| Help button | Click Help and resources, then Keyboard shortcuts | The shortcut does nothing, or you want a click path |
| Actions menu | Press ⌘ K, type Keyboard shortcuts, choose it | You prefer search or browse other actions |

_Three routes to the Figma keyboard shortcuts panel on Mac._

## Figma keyboard shortcuts not working on Mac: check these first

A shortcut that does nothing usually has one of three causes. The layout may not match your keyboard. Another app may use the same keys. Or Figma may need a fresh start. Work through them in that order, starting with the layout, because Figma documents that setting in the most detail.

## Fix the keyboard layout first

Click Help and resources in the bottom-right corner, then choose Keyboard shortcuts. Open the Layout tab and pick your layout from the dropdown. Hover over an option to preview it before you commit. Choose Generic to restore Figma's default mappings.

Figma may warn you about a mismatch when your system keyboard changes. Treat that warning as a reason to check the Layout tab again. Do not ignore it, because a mismatch can make correct keys look broken.

## Why keyboard layout matters for Figma users

Figma has a large and international user base. A secondary breakdown of Figma's S-1 filing reports 13M+ monthly active users. The same breakdown quotes the filing as saying about 85% of monthly active users were outside the United States in the three months ended March 31, 2025.

- **13M+** monthly active users in a secondary breakdown of Figma's S-1 filing ([source](https://www.mostlymetrics.com/p/figma-ipo-s1-breakdown))
- **85%** of monthly active users were outside the United States, three months ended March 31, 2025 ([source](https://www.mostlymetrics.com/p/figma-ipo-s1-breakdown))

Those figures explain why layout settings matter. A user outside the US may have a layout that places the question mark somewhere else. That is a reasonable thing to check first. The check takes a minute, and it is the first step Figma documents.

![Designer working at a MacBook while learning how to show keyboard shortcuts in Figma on Mac](https://lfobmih1tpj3sgpo.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/content-images/howto/show-the-keyboard-shortcuts-panel-in-figma/how-to-show-keyboard-shortcuts-in-figma-1-9e837e.jpg)

## Common mistakes people make with the shortcuts panel

- Pressing Command where Figma says Control. Figma's Help Center lists Control Shift ?.
- Skipping the layout check. A mismatch can make a working shortcut look broken.
- Looking for a menu bar item. The documented routes are the shortcut, the Help button and the actions menu.
- Guessing how to close the panel. The help page does not name the close control, so look for it on the panel.
- Trusting a shortcut list from a random site. Check Figma's own Help Center first.

## Which shortcut list to trust on Mac

Search results disagree on the Mac shortcut. Figma's own Help Center says Control Shift ?. Some third-party sites list Shift Command ? instead, which is a different combination. Some also list Control Shift slash, which uses the same keys on a US keyboard.

Test Figma's version first. Try the others only if it fails, and note which one works on your keyboard. That note saves you a search the next time you need it.

## Close the panel and go back to work

Figma's close instruction is incomplete. The help page tells you to click a control to close the panel, but it does not name that control. Look for a close control on the panel itself.

If you cannot find one, test Escape. Figma's page does not confirm that key, so treat it as a test, not a documented step. The panel is a reference. Open it when you need it, and close it when the canvas needs the room.

## A worked example in a real file

Say you are tidying a landing page frame and want to remember the shortcuts you keep reaching for. Open the panel with Control Shift ?. Keep it along the bottom of the screen while you work. Glance at the highlighted shortcuts as you go.

Over a few sessions, the highlights show which keys you already use. They also show which ones you have never touched. If the keys in the panel do not match your keyboard, stop and open the Layout tab first. Fixing the layout once is faster than learning the wrong keys.

![Person typing on a MacBook keyboard while working on a Figma design file](https://lfobmih1tpj3sgpo.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/content-images/howto/show-the-keyboard-shortcuts-panel-in-figma/how-to-show-keyboard-shortcuts-in-figma-2-0d7817.jpg)

## What you cannot do yet in Figma

Sources conflict on whether you can reassign Figma shortcuts. The official pages I checked cover keyboard layout only. I did not confirm a way to change individual shortcuts, so this guide does not describe one. A macOS workaround is also unverified, so skip it unless you test it yourself.

## If the panel still will not open

Start with the general checks. Quit Figma fully, then reopen it. Make sure no other app is using the same keys. Community posts suggest restarting, clearing the cache and checking for conflicting apps. I could not confirm those fixes on an official Figma page, so treat them as things to try.

## What to do next with Figma shortcuts

Pick one shortcut from the panel each day and use it until it feels normal. Then move on to the file work that uses it. If you build reusable parts, read [how to create a component in Figma on Mac](https://www.lazur.app/how-to/create-a-component-in-figma). For spacing and resizing, try [how to add auto layout in Figma on Mac](https://www.lazur.app/how-to/add-auto-layout-in-figma).

![Small team of designers looking at laptop screens during a Figma design review](https://lfobmih1tpj3sgpo.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/content-images/howto/show-the-keyboard-shortcuts-panel-in-figma/how-to-show-keyboard-shortcuts-in-figma-3-57c743.jpg)

If you export finished frames, [how to export a frame as PNG in Figma on Mac](https://www.lazur.app/how-to/export-a-frame-as-png-in-figma) walks through that step. Keep the panel open while you learn, and close it when you need the room.

## Shortcuts

- Show keyboard shortcuts panel: ⌃ ⇧ ?
- Open the actions menu: ⌘ K

## If it does not work

- **Control Shift ? does nothing** Click an empty part of the canvas and try again. Then check the Layout tab, since a mismatch can stop the keys from working as expected. Use Help and resources if it still fails.
- **The panel keys do not match my keyboard** Open Help and resources, then Keyboard shortcuts, then the Layout tab. Pick the layout that matches your keyboard. Generic restores Figma's defaults.
- **Figma warns about a keyboard mismatch** Figma may show this after your system keyboard changes, according to its layout article. Reopen the Layout tab and pick the matching layout. You can also use Preferences > Keyboard layout from the main menu.
- **Another app seems to take the keys** Quit or pause other apps that use the same keys, then test again. Figma's help page does not list conflicts, so treat this as a general check.
- **Nothing works after the layout check** Quit Figma fully, reopen it, and test the shortcut in a file. Restarting is a general first step, not a documented Figma fix.
- **I cannot find the close control** Figma's close instruction does not name the control. Look on the panel itself. Test Escape. If neither works, reopen the panel with the same route you used before.

## With Lazur

Lazur is a voice assistant for the Mac that lives in the notch. Hold ⌥ ⌘ and ask; it sees your screen, answers out loud, points at buttons and walks you through apps. Hold fn to dictate. Free for 3 days, then $18/month: https://www.lazur.app/download

- “Where is the keyboard shortcuts panel button?”: Lazur circles the Help and resources button in the bottom-right corner, then you click the next item yourself. (Points at it)

## FAQ

### Is the Mac shortcut Control Shift ? or Command Shift ??

Figma's Help Center lists Control Shift ? for Mac. Some third-party sites list Command based combinations instead. Try Control first. If it does nothing, use the Help and resources button in the bottom-right corner.

### Is there a menu bar item for the keyboard shortcuts panel on Mac?

Not in the official Help Center. The documented routes are the shortcut, the Help and resources button, and the actions menu. The main menu leads to Preferences > Keyboard layout, which is a different setting.

### Why do the shortcuts in the panel not match my keys?

Your keyboard layout may not match what Figma uses. Open Help and resources, then Keyboard shortcuts, then the Layout tab. Pick the layout that matches your keyboard, or choose Generic to restore Figma's defaults.

### Can I change Figma shortcuts from this panel?

I could not confirm this. The official pages I checked cover keyboard layout only. Sources conflict on whether you can reassign shortcuts, so check Figma's current help before you rely on it.

### Does the Mac app behave differently from the browser version?

Figma's keyboard layout article does not say whether Mac and browser versions differ for the shortcuts panel. It also gives no version numbers. Test the shortcut in the app you use every day.

### How many Figma users are outside the United States?

A secondary breakdown of Figma's S-1 says about 85% of monthly active users were outside the United States for the three months ended March 31, 2025. That figure comes from a secondary site quoting the filing, so check the S-1 itself if you need it for work.

### Can Lazur show me where the shortcuts button is?

Yes. Hold Option and Command, then ask where the Help and resources button is. Lazur draws a circle and a label around it on your screen. It does not click the button for you.

## Sources

1. [Use Figma products with a keyboard, Figma Help Center](https://help.figma.com/hc/en-us/articles/360040328653-Use-Figma-products-with-a-keyboard), Figma, checked 2026-11-07
2. [Select keyboard layout, Figma Help Center](https://help.figma.com/hc/en-us/articles/5665442977431-Select-keyboard-layout), Figma, checked 2026-11-07
3. [Use the actions menu in Figma Design, Figma Help Center](https://help.figma.com/hc/en-us/articles/23570416033943-Use-the-actions-menu-in-Figma-Design), Figma, checked 2026-11-07
4. [Figma IPO: S-1 Breakdown, Mostly Metrics](https://www.mostlymetrics.com/p/figma-ipo-s1-breakdown), Mostly Metrics, checked 2026-11-07