Average and Join in One Step

As shown in the previous tip, to join two open paths using a common point, you select the end-points of both paths with the Direct Selection tool (A). Choose Average from the Object menu (Object>Path>Average), click Both for Axis in the resulting dialog, and then click OK to make the two anchor points share one location. Then it's back to the Object menu to choose Path>Join. To trim the process down to one step, just select the two end-points, press Command-Option-Shift-J (PC: Control-Alt-Shift-J) to Average and Join in one step.