Simple Steps to Zoom Out in Adobe Illustrator

Go to "View > Zoom Out/Zoom In".
Alternatively, press "Z" to activate the Zoom tool, then press the left mouse button to Zoom in.
Zoom out this way by holding "Opt" (Mac) or "Alt" (Windows) and left-clicking the mouse button.
Or you can use more keyboard shortcuts to zoom in and out of your artwork. Press "Cmd + -" (Mac) or "Alt + -" to zoom out.

Section 1 of 4:

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

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Section 2 of 4:

Using the Zoom Tool

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1
Select the Zoom tool. The pointer becomes a magnifying glass with a plus sign in its center.
- You can also press Z on your keyboard. ^{[1]
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3
Hold down Alt (PC) or ⌥ Opt (Mac) and click in the center of the area that you want to reduce.
- Depending on your "View with CPU/GPU" settings, you can also drag the mouse left or right to zoom in and out of areas of the canvas. If dragging only creates a small box, you can zoom into the highlighted box by releasing the mouse button.

Section 3 of 4:

Using the Zoom Menu

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You'll see the View menu in the toolbar above your artboard.

Section 4 of 4:

Using the Zoom Percentage Menu

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It's in the lower left corner of the window.

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How do I draw a straight line?

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Select shape tool. There is a line tool and you can select a single row or column marquee tool.

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How do I reset how far Illustrator is zoomed in at when I open it?

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Press the keys "Command + 1" to get your zoom scale back to 100%, "Command + 0" to fill the screen with your artboard.

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Press the keys Cmd + 1 (Mac) or Ctrl + 1 (PC) to get your zoom scale back to 100%, Cmd + 0 (Mac) or Ctrl + O (PC) to fill the screen with your artboard.

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Go into Settings or Preferences and head to "Performance" to make sure you have "Animated Zoom" enabled if you want a scrubby zoom option, which you get via dragging the mouse left or right.

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Make sure "Zoom with mouse wheel" is enabled in Settings/Preferences if you want to be able to scroll in and out.

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Simple Steps to Zoom Out in Adobe Illustrator

Things You Should Know

Steps

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Using the Zoom Tool

Using the Zoom Menu

Using the Zoom Percentage Menu

Community Q&A

Video

Tips

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