Introduction
If you use AutoCAD regularly, learning the built-in shortcuts that speed up navigation can save a lot of time. The Ctrl + Page Down shortcut is one of those small but powerful keys: it lets you quickly move between layout (sheet) tabs inside the current drawing. This guide explains exactly what the shortcut does, how to use it step‑by‑step, alternatives, common reasons it may not work, fixes, and practical tips to get the most from it.
What the Ctrl + Page Down shortcut does
- Ctrl + Page Down: moves to the next layout tab (sheet) in the current drawing window.
- The reverse shortcut is Ctrl + Page Up, which moves to the previous layout tab.
- These shortcuts operate within the current drawing (they cycle through layout tabs like Model, Layout1, Layout2, etc.), not between different open drawings. To switch between open drawings, use Ctrl + Tab.
How to use Ctrl + Page Down — step by step
1) Verify layout tabs are visible
- Go to Options (type OPTIONS in the command line and press Enter) → Display tab → ensure Display Layout and Model Tabs is checked. If layout tabs are hidden, Ctrl + Page Down won’t show any visible change.
2) Place focus on the drawing window
- Click anywhere in the drawing area so AutoCAD has keyboard focus. If focus is on certain dialogs, palettes, or the command line prompt is waiting for input, the shortcut may not register.
3) Press the shortcut
- Press and hold Ctrl and then press Page Down once to move to the next tab.
- Press Ctrl + Page Up to move back to the previous tab.
4) Repeating the shortcut
- Repeatedly press Ctrl + Page Down to cycle forward through all layout tabs. When you reach the last tab, it typically wraps around to the first.
Example (before / after)
- Before: active tab = Layout1
- Action: press Ctrl + Page Down
- After: active tab = Layout2
Alternative ways to switch layout tabs
- Click the layout tab directly at the bottom of the drawing area.
- Use the command line: type -LAYOUT then follow the prompts to Set a specific layout by name.
- Use the Layout tab context menu: right‑click any layout tab → choose the desired layout or use navigation commands.
- Create or modify a keyboard shortcut in AutoCAD’s CUI (Customize User Interface): assign a different key combination to a command that activates a specific layout or cycles layouts.
- Use the Quick View Layouts (if available in your workspace) to pick the layout visually.
Common reasons Ctrl + Page Down doesn’t work and fixes
-
Layout tabs hidden
Fix: Options → Display → check Display Layout and Model Tabs. -
Keyboard focus is elsewhere (a dialog, external window, or some palettes)
Fix: Click in the drawing area to restore focus, then use the shortcut again. -
Laptop keyboards or compact keyboards: some laptops require pressing an Fn key to access Page Up/Page Down.
Fix: Use Fn + Ctrl + PageDown (or toggle Fn lock) or use the on‑screen keyboard to test. -
Operating system or other software intercepts the keys (global hotkeys, KVM switches, virtualization, or accessibility tools)
Fix: Temporarily disable the conflicting global hotkey or change its mapping; test in a plain text editor to see if the key combination is captured elsewhere. -
Custom keybindings or CUI changes: someone may have remapped or removed the default behavior.
Fix: Open CUI and inspect Keyboard Shortcuts to restore or reassign the shortcut to a suitable command that cycles layout tabs. -
Corrupted profile or UI cache
Fix: Reset AutoCAD to default settings (use the Reset Settings to Default shortcut in the Start menu for your AutoCAD version) or create a new AutoCAD profile. -
Sticky or faulty keys
Fix: Test Page Up/Page Down and Ctrl on another program; if hardware fault, use another keyboard.
How to customize or restore the shortcut (CUI basics)
- Type CUI and press Enter.
- In the Customize User Interface dialog, expand Keyboard Shortcuts → Shortcut Keys.
- To create a new shortcut: right‑click Shortcut Keys → New Shortcut. Assign the desired key combination (for example Ctrl+Alt+Right) and set the command to a macro that invokes a layout change (for example a macro to run the LAYOUT command).
- To restore defaults: use the Transfer tab or reset the profile to default settings.
Note: exact commands or macros depend on your AutoCAD version and whether you want to cycle layouts or jump to a specific layout.
Practical tips
- Use Ctrl + Page Up / Ctrl + Page Down in combination with meaningful layout names so you always know where you land.
- If you regularly move between a small set of layouts, consider creating shortcuts or toolbar buttons to jump directly to those specific layout names via the -LAYOUT command.
- Add a printable quick‑reference for your team listing navigation shortcuts (Ctrl+Tab, Ctrl+PageUp/Down, etc.) to standardize workflows.
- If you prefer mouse-free navigation between multiple open drawings and layouts, combine Ctrl+Tab (cycle drawings) with Ctrl+PageUp/Down (cycle layouts) for efficient switching.
FAQ
How do I switch between entirely different open drawings in AutoCAD?
Use Ctrl + Tab to cycle through open drawing files (documents). You can also use the Application Menu → Windows list or the File tabs if enabled.
The Page Up/Page Down keys do nothing when I press them — what should I test?
Check whether the Page Up/Page Down keys work in another program (like a text editor). If they don’t, your keyboard or laptop Fn settings may be the issue. If they do work elsewhere, ensure AutoCAD has focus and that layout tabs are visible.
Can I assign Ctrl + Page Down to a different command?
Yes. Open CUI and assign any shortcut you want under Keyboard Shortcuts → Shortcut Keys. Be mindful of avoiding conflicts with widely used default shortcuts.
My layout tabs are hidden — where are they and how do I get them back?
Open Options (type OPTIONS), go to the Display tab, and check Display Layout and Model Tabs. If you prefer a tabless workflow, you can still switch layouts via the -LAYOUT command.
Is there a way to jump directly to a layout by name?
Yes. Use the -LAYOUT (note the dash) command in the command line, then choose Set and type the layout name to jump directly.
Why does Ctrl + Page Down wrap around instead of stopping at the last layout?
Ctrl + Page Down typically cycles through the list of layouts and will wrap back to the start once you pass the last tab. This is normal behavior.
Does this shortcut work differently on macOS AutoCAD?
Keyboard shortcuts on AutoCAD for Mac differ from Windows. On macOS, use AutoCAD’s Mac-specific shortcuts or customize them in the Mac equivalent of CUI. Check your Mac documentation for the exact key mapping.
What if I frequently use both layout tabs and multiple drawings — any workflow advice?
Use Ctrl + Page Up/Down for cycling layouts within the current drawing and Ctrl + Tab for switching drawings. Consider organizing workflows so you group related sheets in fewer drawings to reduce switching overhead.