Keyboard Shortcuts

Many actions in Packet Tracer 5.0 are keyboard-accessible for your convenience. In addition to key combinations, the following keys deserve extra attention:

- Alt: Press this key to activate the Menu Bar options. Press Alt plus the underlined letter in the in the menu bar to open the menu. Then press the underlined letter in the command name that you want. In fact, whenever you see an underlined letter in any option or dialogue, you can press that key to select it.
- Ctrl: Use this key to quickly create multiple devices and connections. Press and hold the Ctrl key, choose a specific device or a connection type, and then release the key. You can now quickly place multiple instances of that device on the workspace or make multiple connections of that type between devices. Alternatively, you can press and hold the Ctrl key and drag a device on the workspace to duplicate the device. The Ctrl key can also be used to prevent windows from docking (press and hold the key as you drag a window).
- Shift: Use this key with the mouse to select multiple objects. Press and hold the Shift key, click and drag the cursor to draw a selection rectangle around the objects you want to select, and then release the key. Alternatively, you can hold Shift, click on all the devices you want to select, and then release the key. You can move the selected objects as one unit. You can also delete them with the Del key.
- Esc: This key is a shortcut to the Select tool in the Common Tools Bar. It also serves as a "cancel" key. It closes certain pop-up windows or cancels/stops the current action (e.g., continuously placing devices or continuously making connections).

Shortcut | Action
Shift + L | Switch to Logical Workspace.
Shift + P | Switch to Physical Workspace.
Shift + R | Switch to Realtime Mode.
Shift + S | Switch to Simulation Mode.
Ctrl + N | Start a New network.
Ctrl + O | Open an existing network.
Ctrl + S | Save the current network.
Ctrl + Shift + S | Save the current network to a different name and/or directory (Save As).
Ctrl + P | Print the current network.
Ctrl + W | Run the Activity Wizard.
Alt + F4 | Exit Packet Tracer 5.0.
Ctrl + C | Copy the selected items.
Ctrl + V | Paste the selected items.
Ctrl + Z | Undo the previous action.
Ctrl + I | Zoom In to the workspace.
Ctrl + T | Reset the zoom of the workspace.
Ctrl + U | Zoom Out of the workspace.
Ctrl + D | Open the drawing Palette.
Ctrl + R | View Preferences.
Ctrl + Shift + U | Open the User Profile dialog.
Ctrl + Alt + R | Show Router devices in the Device Specific Box.
Ctrl + Alt + S | Show Switch devices in the Device Specific Box.
Ctrl + Alt + U | Show Hub devices in the Device Specific Box.
Ctrl + Alt + W | Show Wireless devices in the Device Specific Box.
Ctrl + Alt + C | Show Connection types in the Device Specific Box.
Ctrl + Alt + E | Show End Devices in the Device Specific Box.
Ctrl + Alt + A | Show WAN Emulation devices in the Device Specific Box.
Ctrl + Alt + T | Show Custom Made Devices in the Device Specific Box.
Ctrl + Alt + M | Show Multiuser Connection in the Device Specific Box.
Ctrl + Alt + i | Add the ith device in the Device Specific Box to the Workspace.
Ctrl + Space | View rubber band rectangle to select.
Up Arrow | Move rubber band rectangle upwards.
Down Arrow | Move rubber band rectangle downwards.
Right Arrow | Move rubber band rectangle to the right.
Left Arrow | Move rubber band rectangle left.
Space | Select device.
Ctrl + Up Arrow | Move selected devices upwards.
Ctrl + Down Arrow | Move selected devices downwards.
Ctrl + Right Arrow | Move selected devices to the right.
Ctrl + Left Arrow | Move selected devices to the left.
Esc | Choose the Select tool.
M | Choose the Move Layout tool.
N | Choose the Place Note tool.
Delete | Choose the Delete tool. If you have selected multiple objects, pressing Delete will delete them.
I | Choose the Inspect tool.
P | Press the Add Simple PDU button.
C | Press the Add Complex PDU button.
C | Choose Cancel in confirmation dialogues.
N | Choose No in confirmation dialogues.
Y | Choose Yes in confirmation dialogues.
F1 | Open the Help Files.
F11 | Open the Tutorials.
F12 | Open the About page.