Skip to main content

3 replies

O
OG-R2D2
Participant
June 13, 2025

Here are the shortcuts:

 

Windows:

Shift + Ctrl + B (Bold) / I (Italic) / U (Underline)

Mac:

Shift + Cmd + B (Bold) / I (Italic) / U (Underline)


I have tested them and they change to the proper font type if there is one.

Dave Creamer of IDEAS
Community Expert
Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity Expert
Community Expert
June 13, 2025

You are correct. It was mentioned about 3 years ago on a post. albiet, not as direct as your post.

Also, you can look up any "hidden" keyboard commands in the KB Shortcuts panel:

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
    pixxxelschubser
    Community Expert
    pixxxelschubserCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 24, 2022

    Professional design and layout software does not support Fake Bold like some "intuitive" word processing software. Use the correct font style of the selected font instead.

      AntDX316
      AntDX316Author
      Inspiring
      February 25, 2022

      yeah, no Fake Bold

      Larry G. Schneider
      Community Expert
      Larry G. SchneiderCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      February 23, 2022

      Your best bet is to use the Bold version of the font in question. AI doesn't do fake bold.

      AntDX316
      AntDX316Author
      Inspiring
      February 23, 2022

      well it should automatically switch to the Bold variant by default when ctrl+B is pressed

      Dave Creamer of IDEAS
      Community Expert
      Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      February 25, 2022

      oh yeah.. it's gotta be complex like Illustrator is all some people will use and nothing else in the world when ctrl+B is the super standard to bold a text on 99% of other programs


      Cntl-B is the "super standard" Paste in Back in AI for as long as I can remember. (Cntl-F is Paste in Front.)

      Although not as fast as a keyboard shortcut, you could try using a character style. 

       

      As an aside, even in InDesign and Phtoshop, it is not Cntl-B--it is Cntl-Shift-B. (Cntl-Shift-I for Italic.) Photoshop does allow faux bold and faux italic. 

       

      David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
        Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
        Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices