Note-taking & Knowledge

DEVONthink Keyboard Shortcuts

We collected 68 keyboard shortcuts for DEVONthink so you can manage research documents faster

DEVONthink keyboard shortcuts

DEVONthink is a note-taking & knowledge tool from DEVONtechnologies that enables users to manage research documents. It is trusted by creative and technical professionals worldwide.

Efficient DEVONthink workflows rely heavily on keyboard shortcuts. Every second saved on navigation adds up over the course of a project.

DEVONthink is available exclusively on macOS, and this shortcuts guide is tailored for that platform.

macOS
68 shortcuts 14 categories
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General 6 shortcuts

Cycles through open application windows
Cmd +` Ctrl +` Ctrl +`
Cycles focus between the item list, view/edit pane, and the Tags bar or Inspectors (if visible)
N/A Ctrl +Tab Ctrl +Tab
Cancels processes, closes dialogs or Quick Look previews, etc., depending on the context
Esc Esc Esc
Cycles to the next tab
Cmd +] Ctrl +] Ctrl +]
Cycles to the previous tab
Cmd +[ Ctrl +[ Ctrl +[
Hold ⇧ to cycle in reverse order
Shift Shift Shift

Document Lists - Navigating items 6 shortcuts

Navigates up and down in all views. Use ⇧ to select multiple entries
Up Up Up
Navigates up and down in all views. Use ⇧ to select multiple entries
Down Down Down
Expands or collapses the selected groups in horizontal split, vertical split or List views, or navigates to previous/next item in other views
Left Left Left
Expands or collapses the selected groups in horizontal split, vertical split or List views, or navigates to previous/next item in other views
Right Right Right
Expands or collapses all groups that are contained within this group as well.
Opt +Left
Expands or collapses all groups that are contained within this group as well.
Opt +Right

Document Lists - Selecting items 4 shortcuts

Selects consecutive items
Shift +Click
Extends the next consecutive item to the current selection
Shift +Up
Extends the next consecutive item to the current selection
Shift +Down
Adds a non-consecutive item to the selection
Cmd +Click

Document Lists - Manipulating items 5 shortcuts

Renames documents
Enter Enter Enter
Deletes selected items
Backspace Backspace Backspace
When dragging items from the Finder, this moves, not copies, the file into the database
Cmd +Drag
Duplicates items to the drag destination instead of moving it
Opt +Drag
Creates replicants for the items at the drag destination. Dragging items from the Finder to DEVONthink with ⌥⌘ pressed indexes the item. Dragging items into documents with ⌥⌘ held inserts a link to the item.
Opt +Cmd +Drag

Item List 6 shortcuts

Opens a selected document in the system default application
Shift +Cmd +O
Jumps to the first or next editable column when using _[View > List]_
Tab Tab Tab
Opens the standard Quick Look panel showing a preview of the selected items
Space Space Space
Opens a full screen Quick Look slideshow
Opt +Space
Using _[_ and _]_ , goes backwards and forwards through the visited locations
Opt +[
Using _[_ and _]_ , goes backwards and forwards through the visited locations
Opt +]
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View/Edit Pane 17 shortcuts

Goes to beginning of, or end of, any view
Home Home Home
Goes to beginning of, or end of, any view
End End End
Scrolls one page up and down in any view
PageUp PageUp PageUp
Scrolls one page up and down in any view
PageDown PageDown PageDown
Scrolls one page down or up in non-editable views, e.g., web pages, images, or PDF documents
Space Space Space
Scrolls one page down or up in non-editable views, e.g., web pages, images, or PDF documents
Shift +Space Shift +Space Shift +Space
Opens the target of a link in a new tab or separate window
Cmd +Click
Inserts a cross-link for groups or documents dropped into a rich text document. Dragging files or folders from the Finder to a rich text document with ⌥⌘ pressed creates links to them.
Opt +Cmd +Drag
Opens a link in a new tab and activates it. This requires enabling tabbed browsing in _[Preferences > General]_
Shift +Cmd +Click
Using _[_ and _]_ , goes backwards and forwards through the documents or visited web pages
Opt +[
Using _[_ and _]_ , goes backwards and forwards through the documents or visited web pages
Opt +]
Selects text using a rectangular selection ribbon.
Opt +Drag
For HTML-based files, adds the clicked URL to the [Download Manager] panel. / Initiates a search with the clicked word as the search term
Opt +Click
Expands or contracts the current text selection
Shift +Up
Expands or contracts the current text selection
Shift +Down
Expands or contracts the current text selection
Shift +Left
Expands or contracts the current text selection
Shift +Right

The Sorter - General Note Creation and Clipping 2 shortcuts

Saves the entered data. Equivalent to clicking _Add_.
Cmd +S
Clears any entered data. Equivalent to pressing the retreating circle icon.
Esc

The Sorter - Voice and Video Note 1 shortcut

Start and stop recording
Space

The Sorter - Screen Capture 3 shortcuts

Capture the entire window
Cmd +1
Capture a highlighted window
Cmd +2
Capture a marqueed area
Cmd +3

The Sorter - Web Clip 3 shortcuts

Clips from the default browser
Cmd +1
Clips from a URL you've copied to the clipboard
Cmd +2
Type a URL to clip and any associated data, e.g., comments, tags, etc.
Cmd +3

The Sorter - Clip to DEVONthink 1 shortcut

Toggles the _Clutter-free_ option
Cmd +F

Sheets 9 shortcuts

Moves one cell down for editing
Enter Enter Enter
Moves one cell up for editing
Shift +Enter Shift +Enter Shift +Enter
Moves one cell to the right for editing
Tab Tab Tab
Moves one cell to the left for editing
Shift +Tab Shift +Tab Shift +Tab
Moves the editing selection
Up Up Up
Moves the editing selection
Down Down Down
Moves the editing selection
Left Left Left
Moves the editing selection
Right Right Right
Stops editing
Esc Esc Esc

PDFs 3 shortcuts

Zooms in
+ + +
Zooms out
- - -
Scrolls the visible area with the mouse
Cmd +Drag

Images 2 shortcuts

Zooms in
+ + +
Zooms out
- - -
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