SOLIDWORKS Hotkeys: Speed Up Your Workflow

Most Common SOLIDWORKS Hotkeys

Here are some of the default hotkeys every user should know:

• S – Shortcut bar (context-sensitive: shows different tools in part, assembly, drawing, sketch modes)
  
  
• Ctrl + 1 through Ctrl + 8 – Standard views (Front, Back, Top, etc.)
  
  
• Spacebar – View Orientation dialog
  
  
• Ctrl + Q – Force rebuild (more thorough than Ctrl + B)
  
  
• Ctrl + Tab – Switch between open documents
  
  
• F – Zoom to fit
  
  
• L – Line tool
  
  
• C – Circle tool
  
  
• E – Extrude
  
  
• D – Bring confirmation corner to mouse cursor
  
  

These shortcuts can dramatically reduce your modeling time once they become second nature.

How to Customize Hotkeys in SOLIDWORKS

1. Go to Tools > Customize
2. Click the Keyboard tab
3. Search for a command or scroll through the list
4. Assign or change the hotkey by clicking in the Shortcut(s) field
5. Press the new key or key combination, then click OK
   
   

You can also export and import hotkey settings to share them across machines or teams.

Pro Tip: Customize the “S” Shortcut Bar

The S key is more powerful than most users realize. It brings up a customizable shortcut bar that adapts based on your current mode (sketch, part, assembly, drawing). To customize it:

1. Press S
2. Right-click the bar and choose Customize
3. Drag and drop the tools you use most into the bar
   
   

This reduces mouse travel and keeps your favorite commands one tap away.

Why Hotkeys Matter

In fast-paced design environments, shaving off seconds per action adds up to hours saved each week. Whether you’re sketching, editing parts, or navigating assemblies, hotkeys help you stay in the flow.

Wrap-Up

Mastering SOLIDWORKS hotkeys is one of the simplest ways to boost your productivity. Start with the defaults, customize your workflow, and soon you’ll be working faster than ever—with fewer clicks and less effort.

‍