Keyboard Shortcuts in Goodnotes

Use keyboard shortcuts to move faster in Goodnotes — create notebooks, switch tools, edit text, and move around your library without reaching for the toolbar.

This article is a reference list of shortcuts for macOS, iPadOS (with an external keyboard), Windows, and Web. Shortcuts are shown as ⌘ / Ctrl combinations: use ⌘ on Mac and iPad, and Ctrl on Windows and Web unless a row says otherwise.

Please note:

• Not every shortcut is available on every platform. Check the Notes column for platform and context (for example, library vs document view).
• On iPad, connect an external keyboard to use shortcuts outside text fields.
• On Windows and Web, use the desktop app or a supported browser for the best shortcut support.
• Goodnotes is actively restoring and improving shortcuts on Windows. If a shortcut does not work, update Goodnotes to the latest version.

Before you start

• Connect an external keyboard on iPad to use keyboard shortcuts outside of text fields.
• On Windows and Web, use the desktop app or a supported browser for the best shortcut support.
• Some shortcuts only work in certain views - for example, in a document, in the library, or in a Text Document.

File shortcuts

Edit shortcuts

View and navigation shortcuts

Tool shortcuts

Press the key once to switch to that tool.

Formatting shortcuts

Text Document shortcuts

Formatting and blocks

Editing and navigation

Table shortcuts

Canvas and tab shortcuts

My shortcuts are not working

If a shortcut still doesn't work, check these points first:

• Update Goodnotes to the latest version.
• Confirm the shortcut applies to your platform and view — check the Notes column. Some shortcuts only work in the library, in a document, or in a Text Document.
• On iPad, connect an external keyboard. Shortcuts outside text fields need a hardware keyboard.
• On Windows and Web, use the desktop app or a supported browser.
• Tool shortcuts (for example, H for Highlighter) may not work while you are editing a text box. Click outside the text box and try again.

If a shortcut still does nothing, triggers the wrong action, or behaves differently than listed, contact Technical Support and include the details below.

What to send us

1. The shortcut — the key combination and the action you expected (for example, Ctrl+Z for Undo).
2. Your device — platform (macOS, iPadOS, Windows, or Web), device model, and OS version.
3. Diagnostic data — export and attach the file:
   • Mac, iPad, or iPhone: Open Goodnotes → tap the icon in the top-right corner → View account → Account Settings → Export Diagnostic Data.
   • Windows, Android, or Web: Open the Goodnotes menu (top-right corner of the library) → tap your account name → Account Settings → Export Diagnostic Data.
4. A screen recording — if the shortcut triggers a different action than expected, record a short video showing the keys you press and what happens on screen. Screen recordings help us reproduce the issue faster than a written description alone.

See Contact our Technical Support for more on what to include in your request.