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Andrew Vo``
Participating Frequently
August 8, 2018
Question

Z for zoom in Acrobat?

  • August 8, 2018
  • 3 replies
  • 3387 views

I've been an avid Adobe user and one thing I use relentlessly is the "Z" shortcut for zoom which is incorporated in apps such as Photoshop and Illustrator. Is it possible for Acrobat to allow the "z" shortcut to zoom?  If not then perhaps give us the option to customize our shortcuts for zoom? I am accustomed to "z" and it would be less frustrating if it can be a universal adobe hotkey rather than forcing us to memorize dozens of different shortcuts for zoom per app.

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    3 replies

    jane-e
    Braniac
    August 9, 2018

    Z does work for Zoom in Acrobat.

    First turn on Single Key Accelerators in Preferences > General. You do not need to display the Marquee Zoom tool on your toolbar first for the shortcut to work.

    Also, when I use Ctrl + and Ctrl -, I use the Ctrl key on the right side of the keyboard so I can do it with one hand and keep the other on the mouse. This shortcut also works in other Adobe applications.

    Andrew Vo``
    Participating Frequently
    August 9, 2018

    Interesting Jane, I don't have that icon up in the toolbar as default but yes Z looks like its already assigned to it. However, pressing Z doesn't bring up the zoom tool for me, but it seems like it works only after right-clicking first? This is a tad frustrating.

    jane-e
    Braniac
    August 12, 2018

    Windows 10 Professional - version 1709 (OS Build 16299.551)

    Adobe Acrobat Pro DC - Continuous Release version 2018.011.20055

    EDIT: I checked on 2 other coworker's computers. We all have the same issue and I've made sure "Use single-key accelerators" is checked. All of us use Windows 10. Same Adobe Acrobat.


    Both machines I tested it on were Macs. If it works on Mac but not Windows, then it's a bug.

    Can others report in with their operating system and whether or not this works, please?

    ~graffiti
    Braniac
    August 8, 2018

    And just curious, how exactly are you using the "z" shortcut? Just pressing "z" shouldn't do anything (except type the letter "z" of course) and ctrl+Z is a shortcut for undo (for everything that I use anyway).

    Andrew Vo``
    Participating Frequently
    August 8, 2018

    Simply pressing Z would trigger the zoom magnifier. PDFs are already read-only so there is no need to save it for typing Z. The other Adobe apps require a Text tool first in order to type Z.

    The problem with ctrl+ or ctrl- is it requires both hands so I can't control the mouse to point where I want to magnify as I zoom further in.

    ~graffiti
    Braniac
    August 8, 2018

    Interesting but I guess that would make sense. I don't remember using ctrl+Z in any apps for zoom. I always use ctrl+ or ctrl- to zoom in and out. I find that is truly universal.