Obsidian keyboard shortcuts

Obsidian is a local-first markdown note-taking app built around linked notes and a personal knowledge graph. It is designed to be driven from the keyboard: the command palette and quick switcher reach every feature, and markdown syntax formats text as you type. These are the default hotkeys and core markdown triggers; almost everything can be rebound in Settings under Hotkeys. This cheat sheet covers 51 default shortcuts for Windows and Mac.

General

Open command palette	`Ctrl`+`PCmd`+`P`
Open quick switcher	`Ctrl`+`OCmd`+`O`
Create new note	`Ctrl`+`NCmd`+`N`
Save current file	`Ctrl`+`SCmd`+`S`
Open settings	`Ctrl`+`CommaCmd`+`Comma`
Open help	`F1F1`
Zoom in	`Ctrl`+`=Cmd`+`=`
Zoom out	`Ctrl`+`MinusCmd`+`Minus`
Reset zoom	`Ctrl`+`0Cmd`+`0`
Open developer tools	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`ICmd`+`Option`+`I`

Navigation

Search in current file	`Ctrl`+`FCmd`+`F`
Search in all files	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`FCmd`+`Shift`+`F`
Open graph view	`Ctrl`+`GCmd`+`G`
Navigate back	`Ctrl`+`Alt`+`LeftCmd`+`Option`+`Left`
Navigate forward	`Ctrl`+`Alt`+`RightCmd`+`Option`+`Right`
New tab	`Ctrl`+`TCmd`+`T`
Close current tab	`Ctrl`+`WCmd`+`W`
Undo close tab	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`TCmd`+`Shift`+`T`
Next tab	`Ctrl`+`TabCtrl`+`Tab`
Previous tab	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`TabCtrl`+`Shift`+`Tab`
Open link under cursor	`Ctrl`+`ClickCmd`+`Click`

Editing

Toggle editing and reading view	`Ctrl`+`ECmd`+`E`
Bold	`Ctrl`+`BCmd`+`B`
Italic	`Ctrl`+`ICmd`+`I`
Insert markdown link	`Ctrl`+`KCmd`+`K`
Undo	`Ctrl`+`ZCmd`+`Z`
Redo	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`ZCmd`+`Shift`+`Z`
Delete current paragraph	`Ctrl`+`DCmd`+`D`
Copy	`Ctrl`+`CCmd`+`C`
Cut	`Ctrl`+`XCmd`+`X`
Paste	`Ctrl`+`VCmd`+`V`
Select all	`Ctrl`+`ACmd`+`A`
Indent list item	`TabTab`
Un-indent list item	`Shift`+`TabShift`+`Tab`

Markdown Syntax (type in the editor)

Wikilink to another note	`[[[[`
Embed a note or image	`![[![[`
Heading 1	`#`+`Space#`+`Space`
Heading 2	`##`+`Space##`+`Space`
Heading 3	`###`+`Space###`+`Space`
Bulleted list	`-`+`Space-`+`Space`
Numbered list	`1.`+`Space1.`+`Space`
Task checkbox	`- [ ]- [ ]`
Blockquote	`>`+`Space>`+`Space`
Callout	`> [!note]> [!note]`
Code block	``````
Inline code	`code``code`
Highlight	`==text====text==`
Strikethrough	`~~text~~~~text~~`
Divider	`------`
Tag	`#tag#tag`
Comment (hidden in reading view)	`%%text%%%%text%%`

Put your top Obsidian shortcuts on real keys

The five Obsidian actions most worth binding to a physical macropad key:

Ctrl+PCmd+P Open command palette One key reaches every Obsidian command, bound or unbound.

Ctrl+OCmd+O Open quick switcher Jumping between notes is the core Obsidian motion, repeated hundreds of times a day.

Ctrl+ECmd+E Toggle editing and reading view Constant mode-flipping between writing and reviewing deserves a physical key.

Ctrl+Shift+FCmd+Shift+F Search in all files Vault-wide search is how you resurface old thinking; instant access pays off daily.

Ctrl+GCmd+G Open graph view A one-press portal to see how your notes connect, great for review sessions.

I hand-build small-batch programmable macropads (QMK/VIA) in Barcelona. One press, any shortcut, any app.

See the macropads

Obsidian shortcut FAQs

Can I customize keyboard shortcuts in Obsidian?

Yes, almost every command can be rebound. Open Settings, go to Hotkeys, search for the command, and assign any key combination. Many commands ship unbound, so power users add their own.

How do I quickly open a note in Obsidian?

Press Ctrl+O (Cmd+O on Mac) for the quick switcher, type part of the note name, and press Enter. Typing a name that does not exist and pressing Shift+Enter creates that note.

What is the command palette in Obsidian?

Press Ctrl+P (Cmd+P on Mac) to open a searchable list of every command, including ones without hotkeys. It is the fastest way to run anything without memorizing shortcuts.

How do I link one note to another in Obsidian?

Type [[ and start typing the note's name, then pick it from the suggestion list. Type ![[ instead to embed the note's content rather than just linking it.

How do I switch between editing and reading mode?

Press Ctrl+E (Cmd+E on Mac) to toggle between the editor and reading view of the current note.