Sublime Text is the editor that made multi-cursor editing and fuzzy file-finding mainstream — and its whole interface runs from the keyboard. This complete list of Sublime Text keyboard shortcut keys (Windows/Linux) explains Goto Anything, multi-selection, editing and layout shortcuts in plain words.
Goto and Command Shortcuts
| Shortcut Key | Function |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + P | Goto Anything (open a file by fuzzy name) |
| Ctrl + P, then type @ | Goto Symbol within the file list search |
| Ctrl + R | Goto Symbol in the current file |
| Ctrl + Shift + R | Goto Symbol in the whole project |
| Ctrl + G | Goto a line number (or Ctrl + P, then :number) |
| Ctrl + Shift + P | Open the Command Palette (every command) |
| Ctrl + M | Jump to the matching bracket |
| Ctrl + Shift + M | Select the contents inside the brackets |
| Ctrl + ; | Goto Word (jump between occurrences flows) |
| F12 | Goto Definition (in supported languages/plugins) |
| Alt + - / Alt + Shift + - | Jump back / forward through navigation history |
| Ctrl + Tab / Ctrl + Shift + Tab | Next / previous open file (stack order) |
| Ctrl + Page Up / Page Down | Previous / next file in tab order |
| Ctrl + Shift + T | Reopen the last closed file |
| Ctrl + W | Close the current file |
Multi-Selection Shortcuts (Sublime's signature)
| Shortcut Key | Function |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + D | Select the next occurrence of the current word/selection |
| Ctrl + K, then Ctrl + D | Skip this occurrence and select the next |
| Alt + F3 | Select ALL occurrences at once |
| Ctrl + Shift + L | Split the selection into one cursor per line |
| Ctrl + Alt + Up / Down Arrow | Add a cursor on the line above / below |
| Alt + Shift + Arrow + drag / click | Column selection with the mouse/keyboard |
| Ctrl + Shift + Space | Expand the selection to the enclosing scope |
| Ctrl + Shift + A | Expand the selection to the enclosing tag (HTML/XML) |
| Ctrl + Shift + J | Expand the selection to the indentation level |
| Esc | Collapse back to a single cursor |
Editing Shortcuts
| Shortcut Key | Function |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + / | Toggle line comment |
| Ctrl + Shift + / | Toggle block comment |
| Ctrl + Shift + D | Duplicate the line/selection |
| Ctrl + Shift + K | Delete the line |
| Ctrl + J | Join the next line to the current one |
| Ctrl + Shift + Up / Down Arrow | Swap the line up / down |
| Ctrl + ] / [ | Indent / unindent lines |
| Ctrl + Shift + V | Paste and indent (match the current indentation) |
| Ctrl + K, then Ctrl + U | Make the selection UPPER CASE |
| Ctrl + K, then Ctrl + L | Make the selection lower case |
| Ctrl + K, then Ctrl + T | Make the selection Title Case |
| Ctrl + K, then Ctrl + Space | Set a mark |
| Ctrl + K, then Ctrl + A | Select to the mark |
| Ctrl + K, then Ctrl + W | Delete to the mark |
| Ctrl + K, then Ctrl + K | Delete from the caret to the end of the line |
| Ctrl + K, then Ctrl + Backspace | Delete from the caret to the start of the line |
| Ctrl + Enter | Insert a line after |
| Ctrl + Shift + Enter | Insert a line before |
| Tab (with an Emmet abbreviation) | Expand the Emmet abbreviation (HTML/CSS) |
Find, Layout and General Shortcuts
| Shortcut Key | Function |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + F | Find |
| Ctrl + H | Replace |
| F3 / Shift + F3 | Find next / previous |
| Ctrl + Shift + F | Find in Files (project-wide search) |
| Ctrl + I | Incremental find |
| Alt + Shift + 1 | Single-pane layout |
| Alt + Shift + 2 / 3 / 4 | Split into 2 / 3 / 4 columns |
| Alt + Shift + 8 / 9 | Split into 2 rows / grid variants |
| Ctrl + 1 to Ctrl + 4 | Focus the editor group (pane) by number |
| Ctrl + Shift + 1 to 4 | Move the current file to that group |
| Ctrl + K, then Ctrl + B | Toggle the sidebar |
| Ctrl + ` (accent) | Toggle the console |
| Ctrl + B | Run the build system |
| Ctrl + Shift + B | Run the build with a chosen variant |
| F11 | Toggle full screen |
| Shift + F11 | Toggle Distraction Free mode |
| F6 | Toggle spell checking |
| Ctrl + N / Ctrl + O / Ctrl + S | New / open / save a file |
| Ctrl + Shift + S | Save As |
Tips for Sublime Text Users
Ctrl + P is the center of Sublime: fuzzy-type any file name, append @ for symbols, : for lines, # for words — the entire project is four keystrokes away. The selection trio Ctrl + D (next occurrence), Alt + F3 (all occurrences) and Ctrl + Shift + L (a cursor per line) replaces most scripting for batch edits. And Ctrl + Shift + P holds every command you'll ever forget, including package controls and settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I select all occurrences of a word in Sublime Text?
Put the caret on the word and press Alt + F3 — every occurrence gets its own cursor. Ctrl + D adds them one by one instead.
How do I open a file quickly in Sublime Text?
Press Ctrl + P and type a fuzzy part of the name; Enter opens it. Add @name for a symbol or :42 for line 42 in the same box.
How do I edit multiple lines at once in Sublime?
Select the lines and press Ctrl + Shift + L — each line gets a cursor, so typing edits them all simultaneously.
How do I reopen a closed tab in Sublime Text?
Press Ctrl + Shift + T — the same shortcut as web browsers.
By Umar Farooq, Tech Know.
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