Geometer’s Sketchpad Keyboard Shortcuts and Selection Tips

Geometer's Sketchpad displays keyboard shortcuts beside commands in its menus. Use that displayed combination as the final reference for your installed version: some older shortcut lists use different assignments.

The table below focuses on Windows. On Mac, many menu commands use Command (⌘) instead of Ctrl, but do not replace every modifier mechanically. Check the Mac menu for the exact combination.

Windows shortcut reference

Most construction commands require the correct objects to be selected first. A shortcut cannot run a command that is unavailable for the current selection.

Use shortcuts with the right selection

To construct a midpoint, select a segment before using the midpoint command. To construct an intersection, select suitable intersecting objects. For function plotting, the documented Graph command plots selected functions or opens a new-function workflow when none are selected.

Check a disabled menu command's prerequisites before trying another key combination. The Sketchpad selection reference explains the relationship between selected objects and available commands.

Corrections to common older lists

• Ctrl + R is Redo; Ctrl + Z is Undo.
• Ctrl + S saves the sketch document, not the program.
• Alt + = opens Calculate, rather than a general spreadsheet.
• Alt + backtick controls animation; it does not create a new “dynamic point.”
• Parent/child selection assignments vary in older lists. The documented Sketchpad 5 interface uses Alt + Up and Alt + Down on Windows.

For commands such as New Function, New Parameter, object redefinition, marked centers, or text-palette controls, inspect the corresponding menu in your version instead of relying on an unverified universal assignment.

Escape from the current operation

Esc can end the current activity or clear a special state. Depending on context, it can finish text editing, return to the Arrow tool, clear selection, stop animation, or clear traces. Use it deliberately and observe the result; repeated presses can do more than dismiss a dialog.

The official shortcut reference describes these context-dependent actions. For the plotting behavior, see Plot Function/Plot New Function.

Build a small working set

Start with Save, Undo, Redo, Hide, labels, midpoint, and intersection. Practice on a copy of a sketch, especially before deleting objects that have dependents. For installation context, see the Sketchpad setup guide.