Top 10 Figma Shortcuts You Should Map to Your Macropad
Designers love Figma for its speed and flexibility—but with so many tools and commands, remembering all the shortcuts can slow you down. That’s where a custom macropad comes in.
By programming your most-used Figma shortcuts into a macropad, you’ll eliminate repetitive keystrokes, stay in your creative flow longer, and significantly boost your design efficiency.
In this article, we’ll show you the top 10 Figma shortcuts that every UI/UX designer should assign to a custom macropad—plus setup tips and layout suggestions.
💡 Why Map Figma Shortcuts to a Macropad?
- 🧠 Stay in flow – No need to recall complex hotkey combos
- ⚡ Speed up design tasks – Execute commands with a single press
- 🎯 Avoid hand strain – One-handed control = fewer repetitive movements
- 🎨 Create a layout that reflects your workflow
Whether you're using a 3x3 macropad or a larger grid, assigning Figma shortcuts can turn your tool into a dedicated design powerhouse.
| Key Label | Function | Shortcut (Mac/Win) | Why Map It? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frame | Create a frame | F | Used constantly to build structure |
| Text | Add text box | T | Fast way to insert content |
| Rectangle | Draw shape | R | Common for UI blocks & layout |
| Align L | Align left | Option + A, then L | Precision alignment made easy |
| Align C | Align center | Option + A, then C | Perfect centering, instantly |
| Group | Group elements | Cmd/Ctrl + G | Keep things tidy as you go |
| Ungroup | Ungroup elements | Shift + Cmd/Ctrl + G | Break apart with ease |
| Zoom In | Zoom in | Cmd/Ctrl + + | Better control with knob too |
| Zoom Out | Zoom out | Cmd/Ctrl + - | Pan and view your layout faster |
| Duplicate | Duplicate selection | Cmd/Ctrl + D | One of the most-used Figma actions |
🎛️ Bonus: Use Knobs for Smooth Zooming or Canvas Panning
If your macropad includes rotary encoders (knobs), assign them to:
- Zoom in/out – for precision scaling
- Horizontal panning – scroll across the canvas
- Switch between pages – if using multi-page files
🔧 How to Set It Up
Most macropads—like our 3x3 with 2-Knob Macropad—can be customized using free customization software.
- Assign key functions with a visual interface
- Save different profiles for Figma, Photoshop, etc.
- Update mappings instantly via USB-C connection
🖼️ Suggested Layout for Figma Users
Example 3×3 Layout:
[Frame] [Text] [Rectangle]
[Align L] [Align C] [Group]
[Zoom In] [Zoom Out] [Duplicate]
This layout covers 90% of your daily actions—on a single panel.
🔗 Related: Learn How to Design the Perfect Macropad
Want to go beyond Figma and build a custom macropad for your entire creative workflow? Don’t miss our comprehensive guide:
👉 The Ultimate Guide to Designing and Customizing a Productivity-Boosting Macropad
🚀 Final Thoughts
Whether you’re designing wireframes or prototyping high-fidelity screens, a macropad lets you interact with Figma faster, smoother, and more intuitively. Once you start using one, you'll wonder how you ever worked without it.
Ready to speed up your design game?