Keyboard Shortcuts & Hotkeys | ERD Generator Docs
When designing databases, speed matters.
Keyboard shortcuts help you move faster, stay focused, and avoid breaking your flow. Instead of reaching for menus, you can perform common actions instantly — saving time on every diagram.
This page lists all supported shortcuts to help you work efficiently inside the ERD Generator.
🚀 Why Use Keyboard Shortcuts?
Keyboard shortcuts allow you to:
- Navigate faster between diagrams and files
- Manage tabs without using the mouse
- Save work instantly and frequently
- Focus on modeling, not UI interactions
Once you learn a few shortcuts, diagramming feels fluid and uninterrupted.
🧭 General Navigation
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Toggle sidebar | Ctrl / Cmd + B |
| Open command palette (if available) | Ctrl / Cmd + K |
| Focus canvas | Esc |
These shortcuts help you quickly control the workspace layout and navigation.
📑 Tabs & Files Management
Each open diagram behaves like a file in an editor. You can manage them entirely from the keyboard.
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Save current tab | Ctrl / Cmd + S |
| Close (quit) current tab | Ctrl / Cmd + Q |
| Switch to next tab | Ctrl / Cmd + Tab |
| Switch to previous tab | Ctrl / Cmd + Shift + Tab |
This makes working with multiple diagrams fast and friction-free.
🗂️ Working with Multiple Diagrams
When you have several diagrams open:
- Quickly switch between them using tab shortcuts
- Save changes without interrupting your flow
- Close completed diagrams without touching the mouse
This is especially useful when comparing schemas or moving between related designs.
🧱 Canvas & Diagram Actions
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Fit diagram to screen | Ctrl / Cmd + 0 |
| Zoom in | Ctrl / Cmd + + |
| Zoom out | Ctrl / Cmd + - |
| Reset zoom | Ctrl / Cmd + 1 |
These shortcuts help you navigate large diagrams smoothly.
🔄 Layout & Organization
If your diagram supports layout changes, shortcuts help you iterate quickly:
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Re-apply current layout | Ctrl / Cmd + L |
| Clear selection | Esc |
| Delete selected table or relation | Delete / Backspace |
Perfect for rapid experimentation while modeling.
🧠 Muscle Memory = Productivity
The real power of shortcuts comes from repetition.
Over time, actions like saving, switching tabs, and adjusting layouts become automatic — letting you focus entirely on database design, not tooling.
♿ Accessibility & Keyboard-First Design
Keyboard shortcuts are designed to:
- Work consistently across operating systems
- Support keyboard-only workflows
- Improve accessibility for power users and assistive setups
Everything remains usable without relying on a mouse.
✅ Best Practices
- Save often using Ctrl / Cmd + S
- Keep multiple diagrams open and switch using tab shortcuts
- Learn a few shortcuts first — the rest follow naturally
- Combine shortcuts with folders and workspaces for maximum efficiency
✨ Summary
- Keyboard shortcuts speed up every action
- Tabs behave like files in a code editor
- Navigation, saving, and layout adjustments are instant
- Ideal for power users and large projects
Once you get comfortable with shortcuts, designing ERDs feels effortless.