"New from Template" shortcut doesn't work

[marcg68495176]

Using Shift + Command + N to open a new file from template fails when there isn't a file already open. 

[Mike_Gondek]

Works for me with no file open on Mac Catalina.  AI 25.2.3

Please try File >> New From Template instead to see if the key command is the issue?

[marcg68495176]

Thanks, 

Sorry I should have specified my setup. Mac Big Sur, AI 25.2.3. 

Yes, I have to go to file > new from template, but i'd like to use the shortcut, shift + command + N. 
When I do not have a file open the shortcut does not function. If I already have a file open, the shortcut works fine. 

Thanks!

[Matt Perko]

This is so annoying and still not fixed.

[Anubhav M]

Hello @Matt Perko,

I'm sorry to hear about your experience. Would you mind confirming the OS/Illustrator version and sharing a brief description of your exact workflow and the problem including screenshots (if possible) so I can better assist you?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

[Matt Perko]

Illustrator 2025 (29.1) Sonoma 14.6 Matt Perko [personal info removed by moderator]

[marcg68495176]

Hi Anubhav, 

Obviously not Matt, but this glitch is present on every version of Illustrator for Mac since at least 2019. I am currently using 29.1 and the glitch persists. Whether you choose to "show the home screen when no documents are open" or not, without a file presently open, using the shortcut CMD+Shift+N produces no effect. When a file is already open it works fine. We want to be able to use the shortcut when no files are open in order to start with a template. Choosing File > New from Template directly works just fine and shows the non-working shortcut beside it. Thank you for your help.

[Anubhav M]

Hello @marcg68495176,

Thanks for sharing the details. I was unable to replicate this behavior on my end.Would you mind checking if you have any third-party plugins or window managers enabled and temporarily disabling them to see if it helps?

Also, try rebooting your computer in Safe Mode (macOS) and share your observations.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

[jimmarz60]

I have been seeing this exact issue for a long time. If I have a document open the key command for New from templat works fine. If there are no other documents open I have to use the drop down menu. I'm currently running a MacStudio M2 Max with OS 15.5 and Illustrator 29.4. Upgrading the OS and Illustrator doesn't change the problem at all. It's been happening for years on at least 2 different Macs and on multiple different OS updates and Illustrator updates.

[Anubhav M]

Hello @jimmarz60,

Could you share a small screen recording of your exact workflow so I can replicate this behavior on my end? Also, try running Illustrator under Safe Mode (macOS) and sharing your observations.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

[jimmarz60]

It's pretty useless to record a screen capture of a key command that is not working. All you will see is the screen not changing. When the Illustrator is first started the command works once at the start screen. After that when there are no other files open the program ignores the command. If I restart Illustrator then the command works once and then goes back to ignoring the command with no files open. I must go to the menu in order to get to the templates. When there is a documnet already open then the Command+Shift+N opens the template folder like it's supposed to.  I booted my computer in Safe mode and the problem occurs just like when booted in normal fashion. 

[Anubhav M]

Hello @jimmarz60,

Could you check if the File or the Type menu on the menu bar gets highlighted when you press the key combination? If it's the latter, try checking if the sequence of keys pressed is Shift + Command + N and share your observations.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

[jimmarz60]

I just tried it and here's what I have found. When the command works “File" gets highlighted in the menu bar and the templates folder opens. When the command does not work it highlights “Type” in the menu rather than "File". That is something I’ve not realized before.

[Anubhav M]

Hello @jimmarz60,

Thanks for confirming. I am unable to replicate this behavior on my end. Would you mind running Illustrator under a different administrator account (Windows / macOS) and checking if it helps?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

[jimmarz60]

I just restarted under a virgin user account that I had to activate with Apple. When I launched Illustrator I had to log in with Adobe to get the program to run. Same result. When the command does not work it highlights "Type".

[silk-m]

"⌘+shift+ N" doesn't work on the home screen, but "⌘+shift+ N" works when you close the home screen.
Try it out.

On Illustrator 29.5.1 and macOS 15.5

[Matt Perko]

I've treid shift+cmd+N and also cmd+shift+N and both do the same. Type is briefly highlighted.

Sequoia 15.5, Illustrator 29.5.1

[Anubhav M]

Hello @Matt Perko, @jimmarz60,

I have sent you a DM. Kindly check.

Anubhav

[jimmarz60]

Where did you send the DM? I live in a rural area. Cell phone service is spotty at best so I generally don't list my cell number.

[Matt Perko]

The DM is within the Adobe Community. Check the envelope icon in the upper right.

[jimmarz60]

I got onto the phone with Adobe tech support. The man spoke with a very thick accent and the phone connection sucked! We were on the phone for well over an hour and he didn't seem to know of the issue or how to fix it. Eventually he set up the ability to take control of my computer. His first answer was that it must be a "preferences" corruption. I told him I had tried trashing my preferences a few times and it didn't fix the problem. He went ahead and cleaned out my preferences and a bunch of other files related to Adobe and Illustrator then ran the latest update. It did not solve the problem. He put me on hold a bunch of times, came back and tried different things. He finally got the problem to go away by changing the keyboard settings in accessibility. At the time I thought he did something good and thanked him for his time. It soon turned out that he created more problems than he fixed. With that accessibility turned on numerous shortcuts in various programs, including Illustrator, were causing all kinds of anomolies. Obviously something is wrong in the Illustrator program code and he was taking numerous guesses on how to fix. I realized that I could not work with the change he made, I wasted a lot of time with him. He fixed one short cut but caused so many other issues I had to put the settings back to normal. His cure was worse than the disease. I make my living with Adobe products and I pay a good chunk of money for the "privelage".  At least they could have tech support people who are trained, speak clearly and use phone lines that don't sound like speaking through a tin can. Thanks for a big waste of my time Adobe, it never ceases to amaze me how little they care for their customers.