Actions reference

Below is a list of every available action in Pcbnew: a command that can be assigned to a hotkey. Hotkeys that are shared between all KiCad applications are listed in the KiCad manual and are not included here.

PCB Editor

ActionDefault HotkeyDescription

Align to Bottom

Aligns selected items to the bottom edge

Align to Vertical Center

Aligns selected items to the vertical center

Align to Horizontal Center

Aligns selected items to the horizontal center

Align to Left

Aligns selected items to the left edge

Align to Right

Aligns selected items to the right edge

Align to Top

Aligns selected items to the top edge

Distribute Horizontally

Distributes selected items along the horizontal axis

Distribute Vertically

Distributes selected items along the vertical axis

Place Off-Board Footprints

Performs automatic placement of components outside board area

Place Selected Footprints

Performs automatic placement of selected components

Flip Board View

View board from the opposite side

Sketch Graphic Items

Show graphic items in outline mode

Decrease Layer Opacity

{

Make the current layer more transparent

Increase Layer Opacity

}

Make the current layer less transparent

Switch to Component (F.Cu) layer

PgUp

Switch to Inner layer 1

Switch to Inner layer 2

Switch to Inner layer 3

Switch to Inner layer 4

Switch to Inner layer 5

Switch to Inner layer 6

Switch to Inner layer 7

Switch to Inner layer 8

Switch to Inner layer 9

Switch to Inner layer 10

Switch to Inner layer 11

Switch to Inner layer 12

Switch to Inner layer 13

Switch to Inner layer 14

Switch to Inner layer 15

Switch to Inner layer 16

Switch to Inner layer 17

Switch to Inner layer 18

Switch to Inner layer 19

Switch to Inner layer 20

Switch to Inner layer 21

Switch to Inner layer 22

Switch to Inner layer 23

Switch to Inner layer 24

Switch to Inner layer 25

Switch to Inner layer 26

Switch to Inner layer 27

Switch to Inner layer 28

Switch to Inner layer 29

Switch to Inner layer 30

Switch to Copper (B.Cu) layer

PgDn

Switch to Next Layer

+

Switch to Previous Layer

-

Toggle Layer

V

Switch between layers in active layer pair

Net Inspector

Show the net inspector

Highlight Ratsnest

Show ratsnest of selected item(s)

Sketch Pads

Show pads in outline mode

Curved Ratsnest Lines

Show ratsnest with curved lines

Repair Board

Run various diagnostics and attempt to repair board

Show Appearance Manager

Show/hide the appearance manager

Show pad numbers

Show pad numbers

Scripting Console

Show the Python scripting console

Show Ratsnest

Show board ratsnest

Sketch Text Items

Show footprint texts in line mode

Sketch Tracks

K

Show tracks in outline mode

Sketch Vias

Show vias in outline mode

Wireframe Zones

Show only zone boundaries

Fill Zones

Show filled areas of zones

Sketch Zones

Show solid areas of zones in outline mode

Toggle Zone Display

A

Cycle between showing filled zones, wireframed zones and sketched zones

Automatically zoom to fit

Zoom to fit when changing footprint

Convert to Arc

Converts selected line segment to an arc

Convert to Rule Area

Creates a rule area from the selection

Convert to Lines

Creates graphic lines from the selection

Convert to Polygon

Creates a graphic polygon from the selection

Convert to Tracks

Converts selected graphic lines to tracks

Convert to Zone

Creates a copper zone from the selection

Design Rules Checker

Show the design rules checker window

Open in Footprint Editor

Ctrl+E

Opens the selected footprint in the Footprint Editor

Append Board…​

Open another board and append its contents to this board

Board Setup…​

Edit board setup including layers, design rules and various defaults

Clear Net Highlighting

~

Clear any existing net highlighting

Drill/Place File Origin

Place origin point for drill files and component placement files

Export Specctra DSN…​

Export Specctra DSN routing info

BOM…​

Create bill of materials from board

IPC-D-356 Netlist File…

Generate IPC-D-356 netlist file

Drill Files (.drl)…​

Generate Excellon drill file(s)

Gerbers (.gbr)…​

Generate Gerbers for fabrication

Component Placement (.pos)…​

Generate component placement file(s) for pick and place

Footprint Report (.rpt)…​

Create report of all footprints from current board

Group

Group the selected items so that they are treated as a single item

Enter Group

Enter the group to edit items

Leave Group

Leave the current group

Hide Net

Hide the ratsnest for the selected net

Highlight Net

Highlight the selected net

Highlight Net

</kbd></p></td><td><p>Highlight all copper items on the selected net(s)</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Import Netlist…​</p></td><td></td><td><p>Read netlist and update board connectivity</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Import Specctra Session…​</p></td><td></td><td><p>Import routed Specctra session (*.ses) file</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Lock</p></td><td></td><td><p>Prevent items from being moved and/or resized on the canvas</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Add Footprint</p></td><td><p><kbd>O</kbd></p></td><td><p>Add a footprint</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Add Layer Alignment Target</p></td><td></td><td><p>Add a layer alignment target</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Remove Items</p></td><td></td><td><p>Remove items from group</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Switch to Schematic Editor</p></td><td></td><td><p>Open schematic in Eeschema</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Show Net</p></td><td></td><td><p>Show the ratsnest for the selected net</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Toggle Last Net Highlight</p></td><td></td><td><p>Toggle between last two highlighted nets</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Toggle Lock</p></td><td><p><kbd>L</kbd></p></td><td><p>Lock or unlock selected items</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Toggle Net Highlight</p></td><td><p><kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>

Toggle net highlighting

Switch Track Width to Previous

Shift+W

Change track width to previous pre-defined size

Switch Track Width to Next

W

Change track width to next pre-defined size

Ungroup

Ungroup any selected groups

Unlock

Allow items to be moved and/or resized on the canvas

Decrease Via Size

\

Change via size to previous pre-defined size

Increase Via Size

Change via size to next pre-defined size

Duplicate Zone onto Layer…

Duplicate zone outline onto a different layer

Merge Zones

Merge zones

Change Footprint…

Assign a different footprint from the library

Change Footprints…​

Assign different footprints from the library

Cleanup Graphics…​

Cleanup redundant items, etc.

Cleanup Tracks & Vias…​

Cleanup redundant items, shorting items, etc.

Edit Text & Graphics Properties…​

Edit Text and graphics properties globally across board

Edit Track & Via Properties…​

Edit track and via properties globally across board

Global Deletions…​

Delete tracks, footprints and graphic items from board

Remove Unused Pads…​

Remove or restore the unconnected inner layers on through hole pads and vias

Swap Layers…​

Move tracks or drawings from one layer to another

Update Footprint…

Update footprint to include any changes from the library

Update Footprints from Library…​

Update footprints to include any changes from the library

Clearance Resolution…​

Show clearance resolution for the active layer between two selected objects

Constraints Resolution…​

Show constraints resolution for the selected object

Show Board Statistics

Shows board statistics

Add Aligned Dimension

Ctrl+Shift+H

Add an aligned linear dimension

Draw Arc

Ctrl+Shift+A

Draw an arc

Switch Arc Posture

/

Switch the arc posture

Add Center Dimension

Add a center dimension

Draw Circle

Ctrl+Shift+C

Draw a circle

Close Outline

Close the in progress outline

Decrease Line Width

Ctrl+-

Decrease the line width

Delete Last Point

Back

Delete the last point added to the current item

Draw Graphic Polygon

Ctrl+Shift+P

Draw a graphic polygon

Increase Line Width

Ctrl++

Increase the line width

Add Leader

Add a leader dimension

Draw Line

Ctrl+Shift+L

Draw a line

Limit Lines to 45 deg

Limit graphic lines to H, V and 45 degrees

Add Orthogonal Dimension

Add an orthogonal dimension

Add Board Characteristics

Add a board characteristics table on a graphic layer

Import Graphics…​

Ctrl+Shift+F

Import 2D drawing file

Add Stackup Table

Add a board stackup table on a graphic layer

Draw Rectangle

Draw a rectangle

Add Rule Area

Ctrl+Shift+K

Add a rule area (keepout)

Place the Footprint Anchor

Ctrl+Shift+N

Set the coordinate origin point (anchor) of the footprint

Add a Similar Zone

Ctrl+Shift+.

Add a zone with the same settings as an existing zone

Add Text

Ctrl+Shift+T

Add a text item

Add Vias

Ctrl+Shift+V

Add free-standing vias

Add Filled Zone

Ctrl+Shift+Z

Add a filled zone

Add a Zone Cutout

Shift+C

Add a cutout area of an existing zone

Get and Move Footprint

T

Selects a footprint by reference designator and places it under the cursor for moving

Change Track Width

Updates selected track & via sizes

Create Array…

Ctrl+T

Create array

Delete Full Track

Shift+Del

Deletes selected item(s) and copper connections

Duplicate and Increment

Ctrl+Shift+D

Duplicates the selected item(s), incrementing pad numbers

Fillet Tracks

Adds arcs tangent to the selected straight track segments

Change Side / Flip

F

Flips selected item(s) to opposite side of board

Mirror

Mirrors selected item

Move Exactly…

Ctrl+M

Moves the selected item(s) by an exact amount

Properties…

E

Displays item properties dialog

Rotate Counterclockwise

R

Rotates selected item(s) counterclockwise

Rotate Clockwise

Shift+R

Rotates selected item(s) clockwise

Copy with Reference

Copy selected item(s) to clipboard with a specified starting point

Move

M

Moves the selected item(s)

Move with Reference

Moves the selected item(s) with a specified starting point

Auto-finish Track

F

Automatically finishes laying the current track.

Break Track

Splits the track segment into two segments connected at the cursor position.

Custom Track/Via Size…

Q

Shows a dialog for changing the track width and via size.

Route Differential Pair

6

Route differential pairs

Differential Pair Dimensions…​

Open Differential Pair Dimension settings

Drag (45 degree mode)

D

Drags the track segment while keeping connected tracks at 45 degrees.

Drag (free angle)

G

Drags the nearest joint in the track without restricting the track angle.

Finish Track

End

Stops laying the current track.

Router Highlight Mode

Switch router to highlight mode

Place Blind/Buried Via

Alt+Shift+V

Adds a blind or buried via at the end of currently routed track.

Place Microvia

Ctrl+V

Adds a microvia at the end of currently routed track.

Place Through Via

V

Adds a through-hole via at the end of currently routed track.

Select Layer and Place Blind/Buried Via…

Alt+<

Select a layer, then add a blind or buried via at the end of currently routed track.

Select Layer and Place Through Via…

<

Select a layer, then add a through-hole via at the end of currently routed track.

Set Layer Pair…​

Change active layer pair for routing

Interactive Router Settings…

Ctrl+Shift+,

Open Interactive Router settings

Router Shove Mode

Switch router to shove mode

Route Single Track

X

Route tracks

Switch Track Posture

/

Switches posture of the currently routed track.

Track Corner Mode

Ctrl+/

Switches between sharp and rounded corners when routing tracks.

Undo last segment

Back

Stops laying the current track.

Router Walkaround Mode

Switch router to walkaround mode

Deselect All Tracks in Net

Deselects all tracks & vias belonging to the same net.

Filter Selected Items…​

Remove items from the selection by type

Select/Expand Connection

U

Selects a connection or expands an existing selection to junctions, pads, or entire connections

Select All Tracks in Net

Selects all tracks & vias belonging to the same net.

Sheet

Selects all footprints and tracks in the schematic sheet

Items in Same Hierarchical Sheet

Selects all footprints and tracks in the same schematic sheet

Decrease Amplitude

4

Decrease meander amplitude by one step.

Increase Amplitude

3

Increase meander amplitude by one step.

End Track

End

Stops laying the current meander.

Length Tuning Settings…

Ctrl+L

Sets the length tuning parameters for currently routed item.

Decrease Spacing

2

Decrease meander spacing by one step.

Increase Spacing

1

Increase meander spacing by one step.

New Track

X

Starts laying a new track.

Tune length of a differential pair

8

Tune length of a differential pair

Tune skew of a differential pair

9

Tune skew of a differential pair

Tune length of a single track

7

Tune length of a single track

Add Microwave Polygonal Shape

Create a microwave polygonal shape from a list of vertices

Add Microwave Gap

Create gap of specified length for microwave applications

Add Microwave Line

Create line of specified length for microwave applications

Add Microwave Stub

Create stub of specified length for microwave applications

Add Microwave Arc Stub

Create stub (arc) of specified size for microwave applications

Footprint Checker

Show the footprint checker window

Copy Footprint

Create Footprint…​

Create a new footprint using the Footprint Wizard

Cut Footprint

Delete Footprint from Library

Edit Footprint

Show selected footprint on editor canvas

Export Footprint…​

Export footprint to file

Footprint Properties…​

Edit footprint properties

Hide Footprint Tree

Import Footprint…​

Import footprint from file

New Footprint…​

Ctrl+N

Create a new, empty footprint

Paste Footprint

Repair Footprint

Run various diagnostics and attempt to repair footprint

Show Footprint Tree

Paste Default Pad Properties to Selected

Replace the current pad’s properties with those copied earlier

Copy Pad Properties to Default

Copy current pad’s properties

Push Pad Properties to Other Pads…​

Copy the current pad’s properties to other pads

Default Pad Properties…

Edit the pad properties used when creating new pads

Renumber Pads…

Renumber pads by clicking on them in the desired order

Edit Pad as Graphic Shapes

Ctrl+E

Ungroups a custom-shaped pad for editing as individual graphic shapes

Add Pad

Add a pad

Finish Pad Edit

Ctrl+E

Regroups all touching graphic shapes into the edited pad

Create Corner

Ins

Create a corner

Remove Corner

Remove corner

Position Relative To…

Shift+P

Positions the selected item(s) by an exact amount relative to another

Geographical Reannotate…​

Reannotate PCB in geographical order

Refresh Plugins

Reload all python plugins and refresh plugin menus

Open Plugin Directory

Opens the directory in the default system file manager

Fill

Fill zone(s)

Fill All

B

Fill all zones

Unfill

Unfill zone(s)

Unfill All

Ctrl+B

Unfill all zones

3D Viewer

ActionDefault HotkeyDescription

Add Floor

Adds a floor plane below the board (slow)

Anti-aliasing

Render with improved quality on final render (slow)

Toggle SMD 3D models

S

Toggle 3D models with ‘Surface mount’ attribute

Toggle Through Hole 3D models

T

Toggle 3D models with ‘Through hole’ attribute

Toggle Virtual 3D models

V

Toggle 3D models with ‘Virtual’ attribute

Flip Board

Flip the board view

Home view

Home

Home view

CAD Color Style

Use a CAD color style based on the diffuse color of the material

Use Diffuse Only

Use only the diffuse color property from model 3D model file

Use All Properties

Use all material properties from each 3D model file

Move board Down

Down

Move board Down

Move board Left

Left

Move board Left

Move board Right

Right

Move board Right

Move board Up

Up

Move board Up

No 3D Grid

No 3D Grid

Center pivot rotation

Space

Center pivot rotation (middle mouse click)

Post-processing

Apply Screen Space Ambient Occlusion and Global Illumination reflections on final render (slow)

Procedural Textures

Apply procedural textures to materials (slow)

Render Shadows

Render Shadows

Reset view

R

Reset view

Rotate 45 degrees over Z axis

Tab

Rotate X Clockwise

Rotate X Clockwise

Rotate X Counterclockwise

Rotate X Counterclockwise

Rotate Y Clockwise

Rotate Y Clockwise

Rotate Y Counterclockwise

Rotate Y Counterclockwise

Rotate Z Clockwise

Rotate Z Clockwise

Rotate Z Counterclockwise

Rotate Z Counterclockwise

3D Grid 1mm

3D Grid 1mm

3D Grid 2.5mm

3D Grid 2.5mm

3D Grid 5mm

3D Grid 5mm

3D Grid 10mm

3D Grid 10mm

Show 3D Axis

Show 3D Axis

Show Model Bounding Boxes

Show Model Bounding Boxes

Reflections

Render materials with reflective properties on final render (slow)

Refractions

Render materials with refractive properties on final render (slow)

Toggle adhesive display

Toggle display of adhesive layers

Toggle board body display

Toggle board body display

Toggle comments display

Toggle display of comments and drawings layers

Toggle ECO display

Toggle display of ECO layers

Toggle orthographic projection

Enable/disable orthographic projection

Toggle realistic mode

Toggle realistic mode

Toggle silkscreen display

Toggle display of silkscreen layers

Toggle solder mask display

Toggle display of solder mask layers

Toggle solder paste display

Toggle display of solder paste layers

Toggle zone display

Toggle zone display

View Back

Shift+Y

View Back

View Bottom

Shift+Z

View Bottom

View Front

Y

View Front

View Left

Shift+X

View Left

View Right

X

View Right

View Top

Z

View Top