Squarespace Keyboard Shortcuts
TL;DR:
- Keyboard shortcuts cut down the time spent clicking through menus in Squarespace
- Most shortcuts work the same way on Mac and Windows, just swap Cmd for Ctrl
- These work across all Squarespace 7.1 templates and the classic editor
- Best shortcuts to learn first are undo/redo, save, and the text formatting basics
- Mobile editing doesn't support keyboard shortcuts – these are desktop only
Editor Shortcuts for Squarespace
These shortcuts handle the most common editing tasks you'll do while building pages:
Basic editing:
- Undo changes: Mac – ⌘ + Z, Windows – Ctrl + Z
- Redo changes: Mac – ⌘ + Shift + Z, Windows – Ctrl + Shift + Z
- Save Page: Mac – ⌘ + S, Windows – Ctrl + S
- Preview Site: Mac – ⌘ + P, Windows – Ctrl + P
Working with sections:
- Duplicate Section: Mac – ⌘ + D, Windows – Ctrl + D
- Delete Section: Mac – ⌘ + Backspace, Windows – Ctrl + Backspace
- Open Page Settings: Mac – ⌘ + , (comma), Windows – Ctrl + , (comma)
The undo and redo shortcuts are lifesavers when you're experimenting with layouts. You can make bold changes knowing you can step back quickly if something doesn't work.
Navigation Shortcuts
Skip the mouse clicking and jump straight to different parts of your site admin:
- Open Site Styles: Mac – ⌘ + Shift + E, Windows – Ctrl + Shift + E
- Open Pages Panel: Mac – ⌘ + Shift + P, Windows – Ctrl + Shift + P
- Open Design Menu: Mac – ⌘ + Shift + D, Windows – Ctrl + Shift + D
- Open Commerce Panel: Mac – ⌘ + Shift + C, Windows – Ctrl + Shift + C
These shortcuts become more valuable once you're comfortable with Squarespace's layout. If you're making lots of site-wide changes, the Site Styles shortcut alone will save you minutes each session.
Text Formatting Shortcuts
When you're editing text blocks, these shortcuts work just like they do in Word or Google Docs:
- Bold: Mac – ⌘ + B, Windows – Ctrl + B
- Italic: Mac – ⌘ + I, Windows – Ctrl + I
- Underline: Mac – ⌘ + U, Windows – Ctrl + U
- Insert Link: Mac – ⌘ + K, Windows – Ctrl + K
- Remove Link: Mac – ⌘ + Shift + K, Windows – Ctrl + Shift + K
The link shortcuts are particularly handy for blog posts where you're adding lots of references. Select the text you want to link, hit the shortcut, paste your URL, and you're done.
Block and Layout Shortcuts
These shortcuts help you manage content blocks and switch between different views:
- Add Block: Mac – ⌘ + Option + A, Windows – Ctrl + Alt + A
- Move Block Up: Mac – ⌘ + ↑, Windows – Ctrl + ↑
- Move Block Down: Mac – ⌘ + ↓, Windows – Ctrl + ↓
- Toggle Mobile Preview: Mac – ⌘ + Shift + M, Windows – Ctrl + Shift + M
- Exit Preview Mode: Both – Esc
- Search Pages: Mac – ⌘ + /, Windows – Ctrl + /
The mobile preview toggle is worth memorising if you're constantly checking how your changes look on different screen sizes. Much faster than clicking the preview button each time.
FAQs
Can I change these keyboard shortcuts to something else?
No, Squarespace doesn't let you customise the keyboard shortcuts. You're stuck with the defaults.
Do these work on tablets or phones?
These shortcuts are designed for desktop use with a physical keyboard. They won't work on mobile devices or tablets.
Are these the same across all Squarespace templates?
Yes, these shortcuts work the same way regardless of which template you're using. They're built into Squarespace's editor, not the templates themselves.
What if a shortcut isn't working?
Make sure you're in the right editing mode. Some shortcuts only work when you're actively editing a page, not just viewing your site. Also check that your browser isn't intercepting the shortcut for its own functions.
Jargon Buster
Block Controls: The tools that appear when you select a content block, letting you move, duplicate, or delete it.
Site Styles: Squarespace's design panel where you control colours, fonts, and spacing across your entire site.
Layout Editor: The drag-and-drop interface where you arrange content blocks on your pages.
Preview Mode: A view that shows how your site looks to visitors, without the editing tools visible.
Wrap-up
Start with the basics – undo, redo, save, and the text formatting shortcuts. Once those become second nature, add the navigation shortcuts to your routine. The time savings add up quickly when you're making regular updates to your site.
Remember that keyboard shortcuts work best when you're doing focused editing sessions. If you're just making quick tweaks here and there, clicking might actually be faster than remembering the shortcuts.
Ready to speed up your Squarespace workflow? Join Pixelhaze Academy for more practical tips and techniques.