Practical guide

Draw a diagram without losing your keyboard flow

Start with two shapes and a connection. Learn how Blankpaper's keyboard layer makes a familiar Excalidraw diagram easier to navigate and revise.

On Mac, Mod means ⌘; on Windows and Linux it means Ctrl. Alt is the Option key on Mac. These are defaults: your remapped keys take precedence.

1. Start on the canvas

   Open the free editor. No account is needed for drawings stored on this device. Focus the drawing surface, then press Mod+Enter to create your first shape to the right.

2. Create and connect the idea

   Create a second shape. Mark the source and destination with Alt+M, then press Alt+K to connect them. Give shapes names that describe their responsibilities, such as Browser and API.

3. Navigate the drawing

   Alt+N moves focus to the next element; Alt+P moves back. Alt+F follows a connection and Alt+A follows it back. The focus ring identifies the next keyboard target; focus is distinct from selection.

4. Edit with intention

   Alt+Q opens properties for the focused element. Alt+M toggles its selection. Use Alt+X to clear element focus, and Alt+Enter to return focus to the canvas.

5. Make the keymap yours

   Open the command palette or keyboard settings from the editor. Search by action name, change its binding and resolve any reported conflict. The drawing commands and app commands share the same keymap.

6. Keep an open copy

   Export your diagram as .excalidraw from the editor's file actions. Local canvases depend on browser storage; exporting a file is a useful backup before changing devices or clearing browser data.

Keyboard navigation works best when elements have a meaningful order and connections. It does not replace clear labels, readable contrast or a simple layout.