ETABS Shortcuts

ETABS is a powerful tool for structural analysis and design, widely used by engineers around the world. Mastering shortcuts in ETABS can significantly enhance your productivity and streamline your workflow. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned professional, these shortcuts will help you navigate the software more efficiently.

Sat Apr 12, 2025

Why Use Shortcuts in ETABS?

Using shortcuts can greatly reduce the time spent on repetitive tasks, allowing you to focus on the critical aspects of your projects. They help in minimizing mouse clicks and improving accuracy by allowing you to perform actions directly from the keyboard.

Essential ETABS Shortcuts

Here are some essential shortcuts that can enhance your efficiency in ETABS:

File:

CTRL+N – New Model
CTRL+O – Open Model
SHIFT+CTRL+E – Close Model
CTRL+S – Save Model
SHIFT+CTRL+S – Save As
CTRL+P – Print Graphics
SHIFT+CTRL+T – Print Tables
SHIFT+CTRL+C – Comments and log
SHIFT+CTRL+F – Show Input/Output Text files

Capture Pictures:

SHIFT+CTRL+5 – Capture Entire screen
SHIFT+CTRL+6 – Capture Main Window
SHIFT+CTRL+7 – Capture Current Window
SHIFT+CTRL+8 – Capture Window without Titlebar
SHIFT+CTRL+9 – Capture Current Window as Enhanced Metafile

Editing:

CTRL+Z – Undo
CTRL+Y – Redo
CTRL+X – Cut
CTRL+C – Copy
CTRL+V – Paste
Delete – Delete
CTRL+E – Edit Interactive Database
CTRL+R – Replicate
SHIFT+CTRL+M – Align Joints/Frames/Edges
CTRL+M – Move Joints/Frame/Shells

View:

SHIFT+CTRL+F3 – Set 3D view
SHIFT+CTRL+F1 – Set Plan View
SHIFT+CTRL+F2 – Set Elevation View
CTRL+W – Set Display Options
F2 – Rubber Band Zoom
F3 – Restore Full View
SHIFT+F2 – Zoon in One step
SHIFT+F3 – Zoon Out One step
F10 – Pan
CTRL+D – Set Grid System Visibility
SHIFT+CTRL+J – Show Selected Objects Only
SHIFT+CTRL+A – Select all objects
SHIFT+CTRL+W – Refresh Window
SHIFT+CTRL+V – Refresh View

Selection:

CTRL+K – Invert Selection
CTRL+J – Get Previous Selection
CTRL+Q – Clear Selection
SHIFT+CTRL+O – Select Poly
SHIFT+CTRL+P – Select Intersecting Poly
SHIFT+CTRL+L – Select by Intersecting Line
CTRL+G – Select by Group
CTRL+A – Select All

F5 – Run Analysis

Display options:

F4 – Display Undeformed shape
F6 – Display Deformed Shape
CTRL+T – Display Tables
F8 – Display Frame Forces
F9 – Display Shell Forces
CTRL+U – Display Unit

Design & Information:

SHIFT+F5 – Start Steel design
SHIFT+CTRL+F5 – Display steel design info
SHIFT+F6 – Start concrete design
SHIFT+CTRL+F6 – Display concrete design info
SHIFT+F6 – Start Slab design
SHIFT+F7 – Start Composite beam design
SHIFT+CTRL+F7 – Start Composite beam design
SHIFT+F8 – Start Composite column design
SHIFT+CTRL+F8 – Start Composite Column design
SHIFT+F10 – Start Shear wall design
SHIFT+CTRL+F10 – Start Shear wall design
SHIFT+F9 – Start Steel Connection design

CTRL+L – Change Language
F1 – Help

Vijay Solanki
I am the co-founder of STRENCON Engineering LLP and a professional structural engineer with over 12 years of experience in the field. My expertise lies in the design of RCC and steel structures, as well as foundation systems. I am committed to sharing practical, experience-based knowledge to support the professional development of fellow civil engineers. Outside of my core engineering work, I focus on creating educational content to contribute to the growth of the engineering community.