Intro to Mac keyboard shortcuts
By pressing certain key combinations, you can quickly do things that normally need a mouse, trackpad or other input device, such as copying and pasting text or other items.
Note: If you have an Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad, the Function/Globe key is located to the right of the Delete key.
How to use keyboard shortcuts
To use a keyboard shortcut, press and hold one or more modifier keys, then press the last key of the shortcut. For example, to use Command-C (copy), press and hold the Command key, then the C key, then release both keys. Mac menus and keyboards often use symbols for certain keys, including modifier keys.
Modifier keys
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Popular keyboard shortcuts
Action | Shortcut | Description | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Close | Command-W | Close window. | |||||||||
| Copy | Command-C | Copy selection. | |||||||||
| Cut | Command-X | Cut selection. | |||||||||
| Delete | Delete | Delete the character positioned before the cursor. | |||||||||
| Find | Command-F | Find text. | |||||||||
| Force Quit | Option-Command-Escape | Force an app that’s not responding to quit. | |||||||||
| Forward Delete | Fn-Delete | Delete the character positioned after the cursor. | |||||||||
| Hide | Command-H | Hide the active app. | |||||||||
| New | Command-N | Open a new Finder window or create a new document in other apps. | |||||||||
| New Tab | Command-T | Open a new tab in a Finder window, document or Safari. | |||||||||
| Paste | Command-V | Paste a copy of the last item that was copied or cut. | |||||||||
| Paste and match style | Option-Shift-Command-V | Paste a copy of the last item that was copied or cut, matching the style that is used in the document (rather than the original style). | |||||||||
| Command-P | Print a document. | ||||||||||
| Quick Look | Space bar | View the contents of a document without opening its app. | |||||||||
| Quit | Command-Q | Quit an app. | |||||||||
| Right click | Control-click | Open shortcut menus. | |||||||||
| Save | Command-S | Save a document. | |||||||||
| Screenshot | Shift-Command-5 | Take a screenshot or record the screen. | |||||||||
| Select All | Command-A | Select everything. | |||||||||
| Show emoji and symbols | Fn/Globe | Open Character Viewer to find emoji and symbols. | |||||||||
| Spotlight Search | Command-Space bar | Search for anything on your computer. | |||||||||
| Switch Apps | Command-Tab | Press Command-Tab again to move to the next app, or Shift-Command-Tab to move to the previous app. | |||||||||
| Undo | Command-Z | Undo the last action. | |||||||||
Empower yourself with the efficiency and convenience of Mac keyboard shortcuts. Master these key combinations to unlock the full potential of your Mac experience.
Boost your productivity and streamline your workflow with Mac keyboard shortcuts. By utilizing key combinations, you can effortlessly execute tasks that typically require a mouse or trackpad. Below, we’ve compiled an extensive list of essential shortcuts categorized for easy reference.
**Using Keyboard Shortcuts**
To leverage a keyboard shortcut, simply press and hold one or more modifier keys, then press the final key of the shortcut sequence. For instance, to copy (Command-C), hold down the Command key, press C, then release both keys. Mac keyboards commonly feature symbols for modifier keys:
– Command (⌘)
– Shift (⇧)
– Option (⌥)
– Control (⌃)
– Caps Lock (⇪)
– Fn
For Windows PC keyboards, substitute Alt for Option and Ctrl or the Windows logo key for Command.
Some Apple keyboards boast special symbols/functions like display brightness adjustments. If these functions are absent on your keyboard, you can potentially replicate them with custom shortcuts. To utilize these keys as standard function keys (F1, F2, F3, etc.), combine them with the Fn key.
**Common Shortcuts**
Simplify everyday tasks with these frequently used shortcuts:
– Cut (Command-X)
– Copy (Command-C)
– Paste (Command-V)
– Undo (Command-Z)
– Select All (Command-A)
– Find (Command-F)
– Minimize Window (Command-M)
– Open (Command-O)
– Print (Command-P)
– Save (Command-S)
– Close Window (Command-W)
– Force Quit (Option-Command-Esc)
**Sleep, Log Out, and Shut Down Shortcuts**
Effortlessly manage system functions with these shortcuts:
– Sleep (Option-Command-Power button)
– Restart (Control-Command-Power button)
– Lock Screen (Control-Command-Q)
– Log Out (Shift-Command-Q)
**Finder and System Shortcuts**
Navigate your Mac efficiently with these Finder and system shortcuts:
– Duplicate (Command-D)
– Eject (Command-E)
– Get Info (Command-I)
– Open Recent (Shift-Command-F)
– Go to Folder (Shift-Command-G)
– Create New Folder (Shift-Command-N)
– Show/Hide Sidebar (Option-Command-S)
**Document Shortcuts**
Enhance document editing with these handy shortcuts:
– Bold (Command-B)
– Italicize (Command-I)
– Underline (Command-U)
– Select Desktop (Command-D)
– Page Up/Down (Fn-Up/Down Arrow)
**Accessibility Shortcuts**
Tailor your Mac’s accessibility features with these shortcuts:
– Invert Colors (Control-Option-Command-8)
– Change Keyboard Focus (Control-F2)
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