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Principle Keyboard Shortcuts for Mac

Keyboard shortcuts for Principle on Mac. Manage layers, navigate the canvas and drivers, build animated transitions, and preview your motion design.
Key label style

Layers

Add Rectangle
R
Add Rectangle as child
Opt+R
Add Text
T
Add Text as child
Opt+T
Add Artboard
A
Group
Cmd+G
Ungroup
Cmd+Shift+G
Bring to Front
Cmd+Shift+]
Bring forward
Cmd+]
Send Backward
Cmd+[
Send to Back
Cmd+Shift+[

Editing

Nudge
UpDownLeftRight
Big Nudge
Shift+UpDownLeftRight
Rotate
Cmd+Draghandle
Rotate in 15 degree increments
Cmd+Shift+Draghandle
Duplicate
Cmd+D
Duplicate and Move
Opt+Drag
Enter an equation in a value fieldInspector value fields accept basic equations
"320/2+10"
Scrub a value in the Inspector
Draga textfield label
Rename Layer
Cmd+R

Canvas Navigation

Pan
Space+Drag
Zoom in
Z+Click
Zoom out
Opt+Z+Click
Continuous Zoom
Opt+Space+Drag
Zoom in
Cmd+=
Zoom out
Cmd+-
Zoom All
Cmd+1
Zoom Selection
Cmd+2
Center Selection
Cmd+3
Actual Size
Cmd+0

Driver Navigation

Pan
Space+Drag
Zoom in
Z+Click
Zoom out
Opt+Z+Click
Continuous Zoom
Opt+Space+Drag

Animate Navigation

Pan
Space+Drag

Selection

Select Parent
Esc
Select Child
Return
Select Next Sibling
Tab
Select Previous Sibling
Shift+Tab
Select all Siblings
Cmd+A

Preview

Rewind Prototype
W
Start recording video
Ctrl+V
Start recording video without cursor
Ctrl+Opt+V

Intro

Principle on Mac uses Command (⌘) as its primary modifier. This is the only platform for Principle, there is no Windows version. The shortcut set reflects Principle's animation-centric workflow: timeline navigation, driver setup, and preview controls.

Mac-specific shortcut notes

Layer management. Selecting and grouping layers on design screens. Layer hierarchy navigation.

Timeline. Playing and pausing animations. Moving through the timeline. Setting keyframe positions.

Interaction drivers. Creating and editing scroll, drag, and tap interaction connections that drive animations.

Transition connections. Linking screens with animated transitions and defining transition type.

Preview. Entering device preview mode to see the prototype in a simulated iPhone/iPad/Mac frame. Keyboard controls for playback within preview.

Canvas navigation. Zooming and panning between screens in the design canvas.

Printable PDF

The Principle macOS shortcut list is available as a printable PDF.

FAQ

Need more than shortcuts?
Visit the Principle app page for an overview and helpful links.

Want to suggest a new app, report a bug, or get help? Email us at info@hkeys.app.

For anything else or just a quick hello, write to us at info@hkeys.app.