> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://manual.xlights.org/xlights/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://manual.xlights.org/xlights/appendicies/keyboard-shortcuts.md).

# Keyboard Shortcuts

A list of keyboard shortcuts is also available by selecting File*/Key Bindings* within xLights.

![](/files/Q4AIG3BOCcidUyqGwSS2)

{% hint style="info" %}
The shortcuts listed here are based on a Windows computer. Other operating systems may vary somewhat.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
Keyboard shortcuts are case sensitive. If you are not getting the desired effect, check your Caps Lock.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
On occasion, the keybindings.xml file has been known to become corrupt and the keyboard shortcuts no longer function as intended. If this occurs:

* Close xLights
* Go into your show directory
* Delete the keybindings.xml file
* Restart xLights

When xLights restarts, it will regenerate the keybindings.xml file to the default settings and the keyboard shortcuts should function again.
{% endhint %}

The following are the default keyboard presets. These can be changed by the user by editing the keybindings.xml file if desired.

## General

* F1
  * Brings up a Basic Content Window based on the currently open tab
* F9
  * [Select Show Folder](/xlights/chapters/chapter-two-quick-start-guide/defining-the-show-directory.md)
* F10
  * Backup
* F11
  * Alternate Backup
* ALT-F4
  * Quit or Close xLights
* CTRL + c
  * Copy
* CTRL + o
  * Open Sequence
* CTRL + n
  * New Sequence
* CTRL + s
  * Save (for the currently selected tab)
* CTRL + v
  * Paste
* CTRL + x
  * Cut
* CTRL + y
  * Redo
* CTRL + z
  * Undo
* Esc (Escape)
  * Cancel Render

## Layout Tab

* Arrow Keys
  * Move Model Left, Right, Up, Down
* CTRL + l (lower case L)
  * Lock Model
* CTRL + u
  * Unlock Model
* CTRL + g
  * Creates a new group from the selected models (on Layout Tab)
* CTRL + a
  * Select All Models
* Delete
  * Delete highlighted model or 3D object
* Mouse Wheel Click or Alt + Left Mouse (2D)
  * Pan House View
* Ctrl + Left Mouse
  * Select Multiple Models

## Effects

* b (lower case)
  * Insert Bars Effect
* c (lower case)
  * Insert Curtain Effect
* d (lower case)
  * Insert Ramp Down/Fade (On Effect which goes from from 100% to 0%)
* f (lower case)
  * Insert Fire Effect
* F (upper case)
  * Insert Fan Effect
* g (lower case)
  * Insert Garlands Effect
* i (lower case - "*I" not "L"*)
  * Insert Circles Effect
* m (lower case)
  * Insert Morph Effect
* n (lower case)
  * Insert Snowflakes Effect
* o (lower case)
  * Insert On Effect (with constant 100% intensity
* O (upper case)
  * Insert Off Effect
* p (lower case)
  * Insert Pinwheel Effect
* r (lower case)
  * Insert Ripple Effect
* R (upper case)
  * Insert a Random Effect
* S (upper case)
  * Insert Spirals Effect
* u (lower case)
  * Insert Ramp Up (On Effect which goes from 0% to 100%)
* w (lower case w)
  * Insert Color Wash Effect
* x (lower case)
  * Insert Text Effect
* y (lower case)
  * Insert Butterfly Effect

## Effect Manipulation

* F5
  * Effect Update
* CTRL + SHIFT + Right Arrow
  * Expand Effect to Next Timing Mark or End of the Sequence
* CTRL + SHIFT + Left Arrow
  * Expand Effect to Previous Timing Mark or Start of the Sequence
* CTRL + l (lower case L)
  * Lock Effect
* CTRL + u
  * Unlock Effect

## Sequence Grid

* Space
  * Toggle Play/Stop from currently selected position - will restart from the original selected location on the timeline
* Pause
  * Pause playback - pressing again will resume from that location
* Home
  * Go to the start of a sequence on the timeline
* End
  * Go to the end of a sequence on the timeline
* CTRL + 0 - 9
  * Jump to Timeline Tag
* CTRL + SHIFT + 0 - 9
  * Jump to 0%-90% through the song in the sequencer
* CTRL + SHIFT + Left Arrow
  * Expand Effect to Previous Timing Mark or Start of Sequence
* CTRL + SHIFT + Right Arrow
  * Expand Effect to Next Timing Mark or End of Sequence
* \+
  * Zoom in
* \-
  * Zoom out
* CTRL + . (period)
  * Mark Spot
* CTRL + /
  * Return to Spot
* CTRL + A (upper case)
  * Insert Layer below
* CTRL + a (lower case)
  * Select All effects but no timing tracks (on Sequencer Tab)
* CTRL + ALT +a (lower case)
  * Select All Effects and Timing Tracks (on Sequencer Tab)
* t (lower case)
  * Add timing mark at currently selected location on timeline
* s (lower case)
  * Split timing mark at currently selected location on timeline
* CTRL + I (upper case I)
  * Insert Layer above (on Sequencer Tab)
* CTRL + X
  * Toggle Element Expand (to show models in group, strands, nodes, etc)

## Sequence Toolbar Windows

* ALT + 1
  * Change Effect Tool Icon Size to Small
* ALT + 2
  * Change Effect Tool Icon Size to Medium
* ALT + 3
  * Change Effect Tool Icon Size to Large
* ALT + 4
  * Change Effect Tool Icon Size to Extra Large
* CTRL + F1
  * Toggle Effect Window On/Off
* CTRL + F2
  * Toggle Color Selector Window On/Off
* CTRL + F3
  * Toggle Layer Settings Window On/Off
* CTRL + F4
  * Togle Layer Blending Window On/Off
* CTRL + F5
  * Toggle Model Preview Window On/Off
* CTRL + F6
  * Toggle House Preview Window On/Off
* CTRL + F7
  * Toggle Display Elements Window On/Off
* CTRL + F8
  * Toggle Effect Assist Window On/Off
* CTRL + F9
  * Toggle Effects Window On/Off
* CTRL + F10
  * Show Effect Presets Window
* CTRL + F11
  * Select Effects Toggle
* CTRL + F12
  * Perspectives toggle
* CTRL + ALT+ F8
  * Jukebox toggle