Cheatsheet - Adobe Lightroom

Use single keys to jump between the primary modules, which define your photo workflow (Import \rightarrow Cull \rightarrow Edit \rightarrow Export).

Action Shortcut Key(s) Notes
Grid View (Library Module) G The main view for browsing, culling, and organizing.
Loupe View (Library Module) E Single-image view for quick inspection.
Develop Module (Editing) D The primary editing environment.
Map View M Jumps to the Map module (often used for Geo-tagging).
Toggle Lights Out Mode L Cycles through Lights On, Dim, and Off.
Toggle All Panels Tab Hides/shows all side panels and the filmstrip.
Undo Last Action Ctrl+Z / Cmd+Z
Export Ctrl+Shift+E / Cmd+Shift+E Opens the Export dialog box.

Library Module: Culling & Organization

These shortcuts are essential for quickly reviewing and rating your imported photos.

Action Shortcut Key(s) Notes
Pick Flag P Marks the photo as a "keeper."
Reject Flag X Marks the photo to be deleted later.
Un-Flag / Remove Flag U Removes any Pick or Reject flag.
Star Rating 1 to 5 Applies the corresponding star rating.
Remove Star Rating 0 (Zero)
Color Labels 6 to 9 Applies Red, Yellow, Green, or Blue label.
Zoom to 1:1 (Actual Pixels) Z or Spacebar Toggles between Fit view and 100% zoom.
Add to Quick Collection B Quickly adds selected photos to the Quick Collection.

Develop Module: Editing & Adjustments

The shortcuts here activate specific tools or panels in the Develop module.

Essential Tools

Tool Shortcut Key(s) Notes
Crop Tool R Activates the Crop & Straighten tool.
Cycle Crop Overlays O Cycles through Rule of Thirds, Golden Spiral, etc., while the Crop Tool is active.
Rotate Crop Box X Flips the crop orientation (portrait \leftrightarrow landscape).
Spot Removal (Healing Brush) Q Activates the Spot Removal tool.
Toggle Clipping J Shows/hides blown-out highlights (Red) and clipped shadows (Blue). Crucial for exposure setting.
Toggle Before/After \ (Backslash) Toggles the image between the current edit and its original imported state.
Black & White Toggle V Converts the photo to Grayscale (B&W) and back.
Zoom In/Out Ctrl/+ / Cmd/+ and Ctrl/- / Cmd/- Zoom incrementally.

Local Adjustment Tools (Masking)

Tool Shortcut Key(s) Notes
Brush Mask K Activates the local adjustment brush.
Linear Gradient Mask M Activates the old Graduated Filter.
Radial Gradient Mask Shift+M Activates the old Radial Filter.
Adjust Brush Size [ (Left Bracket) / ] (Right Bracket)
Adjust Brush Feather Shift+[ / Shift+]
Toggle Brush (Brush \leftrightarrow Eraser) Hold Alt / Option Holding the key temporarily switches the current brush to the eraser.
Show/Hide Adjustment Pin H Hides the masking pins/overlays (pins remain active).

Hidden Power Shortcuts (The Alt / Option Key)

Holding down the Alt (PC) or Option (Mac) key reveals hidden options and functionality.

Module/Slider Action when Alt/Option is held Effect
Reset Section Sliders The section's name changes to Reset. Clicking Reset returns all sliders (e.g., in Basic Panel) to zero.
Whites/Blacks Sliders Drag the slider while holding the key. Image turns black/white to show clipping for maximum precision.
Clarity/Texture/Dehaze Drag the slider while holding the key. Temporarily turns the image B&W for a clearer view of the effect.
Tone Curve The panel title changes to Reset. Resets the Tone Curve to linear.
Brush Tool The cursor changes to the Eraser. Allows you to quickly erase masked areas without switching the tool.