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MATLAB Shortcuts

This page is a complete keyboard shortcut reference for MATLAB on macOS, covering all 30 shortcuts organized into 5 sections. Whether you’re new to MATLAB or looking to master advanced features, this cheat sheet has every key combination you need — from basic editing and navigation to app-specific power-user actions.

Keyboard shortcuts are the fastest way to work in MATLAB. Every time you use a shortcut instead of reaching for the mouse, you save a few seconds — and those seconds compound into hours over weeks and months. Start with the shortcuts you use most (copy, paste, undo, save), then gradually add app-specific ones as they become relevant to your workflow. Bookmark this page or download the PDF cheat sheet for quick reference.

Using keyboard shortcuts in MATLAB reduces context switching between keyboard and mouse, helping you maintain focus and work more efficiently. Research shows that shortcut-driven workflows can save up to 8 working days per year compared to menu-driven navigation. On macOS, most MATLAB shortcuts follow standard conventions — once you learn the modifier key patterns, new shortcuts become intuitive.

Tips for Learning Shortcuts

  • Practice one new MATLAB shortcut each day. Muscle memory builds faster when you focus on a single combination at a time rather than trying to learn them all at once.
  • Print or bookmark this page for quick reference while working in MATLAB. Having shortcuts visible nearby helps bridge the gap between looking them up and recalling them from memory.
  • Start with the shortcuts you use most. In MATLAB, common actions like copy, paste, undo, and save are worth learning first since they apply across nearly every workflow.

File6

ActionShortcut
New script⌘N
Open file⌘O
Save current file⌘S
Save as⇧⌘S
Close current document⌘W
Print⌘P

Editing10

ActionShortcut
Undo⌘Z
Redo⇧⌘Z
Cut⌘X
Copy⌘C
Paste⌘V
Select all⌘A
shortcuts.matlab.commentuncommentLines⌘/
Increase indent⌘]
Decrease indent⌘[
Smart indent (auto-format)⌘I

Running and Debugging7

ActionShortcut
Run current scriptF5
Run selected sectionF9
Step overF10
Step intoF11
Step out⇧F11
Set/clear breakpointF12
Stop debugging⇧F5

Command Window2

ActionShortcut
Recall previous command↑
Recall next command↓

Frequently Asked Questions

Access MATLAB shortcuts from your menu bar

KeyShortcut detects the active app and shows its shortcuts instantly. No memorization needed.