# n8n Cheat Sheet: Shortcuts, Expressions & Node Settings

> Quick reference for n8n canvas navigation, expression syntax, and node behaviors

A concise reference sheet summarizing essential controls and syntax for building workflows in n8n. It covers canvas keyboard shortcuts, standard data expressions, core node categories, and common execution settings. Useful for accelerating workflow development without repeatedly consulting documentation.

## How it works

Keyboard shortcuts: Create New Workflow Ctrl+Alt+N; Open Workflow Ctrl+O; Save Current Workflow Ctrl+S; Undo Ctrl+Z; Redo Ctrl+Shift+Z; Run Workflow Ctrl+Enter. Canvas navigation: Move Node View Ctrl/Cmd+Left Mouse+Drag, Space+Drag, Middle Mouse+Drag, Two Fingers on Touchscreen. Zoom: = or 0 zoom in, - or 0 zoom out, 0/1 reset, Ctrl+1 fit to view, Ctrl/Cmd+Mouse Wheel zoom. Ctrl+A select all, Ctrl+C copy, Ctrl+X cut, D disable, Delete, Enter open, F2 rename, P pin, Shift+Click multi-select. Shift+S add note; arrow keys move selection; Ctrl/Cmd+V paste; Shift+Left/Right select left-side/right-side nodes. Node panel: Tab open, Enter insert, Escape close, -\> insert/expand node, \<- collapse, = toggle expression mode.

Expressions: basic ({$json\["key"\]}); node nomination ({$node\["NodeName"\].json\["value"\]}); date formatting ({$now.format("yyyy-MM-dd")}); Condition ($json\["price"\] \> 100); ternary (({$json\["price"\]} \> 100 ? "expensive" : "cheap")); built-in methods ($n8npath, $strings, $rand(1, 5max), $min(1, 5max)); metadata ($execution, $itemIndex, $input, $parameter, $prevNode, $runIndex, $today, $vars, $workflow, $nodeVersion, $now).

Built-in nodes: Trigger nodes — Manual (executed by user), Schedule (by time intervals), Form (submitted by user), Chat (by chat input), Webhook (external HTTP request), Workflow (called from other workflows). Core — Edit Fields (Set) (modify field values), Remove Duplicates, IF (branches by conditions), Aggregate (group & summarize), Split Out (split set into individual items), Filter, Summarize (counts/averages etc.), Code, Merge (two data streams), Sort, Limit, Loop (repeat nodes), Wait, Convert to File, Extract from File, Compression, Stop and Error, HTTP Request (send HTTP requests to external APIs).

Nodes Common Settings: Always Output Data (returns empty item even when no data, useful as issue causes infinite loops with IF nodes); Execute Once (processes only first item); Retry On Fail; On Error: Stop Workflow / Continue (even if invalid) / Continue (using error output); Notes (memo like subtitle inside node); Display note in flow.

## What it is for

- Navigate and manipulate n8n workflow canvas nodes quickly using keyboard shortcuts
- Reference common expression syntax for extracting JSON data and handling dates
- Configure node execution settings to handle errors, empty items, and execution loops

## Key points

- Canvas and workflow management keyboard shortcuts (zooming, selection, running, and renaming)
- Expression syntax examples including JSON property access, node referencing, and ternary operators
- Overview of built-in metadata variables like $itemIndex, $execution, and $now
- Catalog of core trigger and data manipulation nodes (IF, Aggregate, Split Out, Merge)
- Common node configuration settings such as 'Always Output Data', 'Execute Once', and error handlers

## Pricing

Free

## Details

- Type: Tip
- Category: [Development](https://xiry.app/topics/development.md)
- Topic: [Workflow Automation](https://xiry.app/topics/ai/workflow-automation.md)
- Platforms: Web
- For: n8n automation builders and developers
- Tags: n8n, cheatsheet, automation, workflows, shortcuts, low code

## Why it was saved

- [@boringmarketer, 14 April 2025](https://x.com/boringmarketer/status/1911575563107434768): Speeds up working in the n8n canvas and understanding node behavior.

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Updated 11 October 2026. Page: https://xiry.app/resources/n8n-cheat-sheet-shortcuts-expressions-and-node-settings

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