Nowadays, everyone uses the computer to create, edit and print docs, watch online videos, fill out online forms, and many more. The keyboard shortcuts for mac lets you be creative with how to use your technology. These shortcuts will make automation more fun. In other words, they will improve your work and takes less time; refer to them and get used to them.
There are many shortcuts to use on a mac. Most importantly, these Mac shortcut combinations can use the command key, including the modifier keys. Below is the most helpful modifier keys list.
Mac’s Modifier keys –
- Command ⌘
- Shift ⇧
- Option ⌥
- Control ⌃
- Caps Lock ⇪
- Fn
Common shortcuts that you must know
The shortcuts for mac let people automate repetitive tasks. It connects functionality from different apps to solve problems. The shortcuts let you be creative with how you use your technology. It is pretty simple to prepare any text document; you need to know basic computer keyboard shortcuts. Let us see them.
| Keyboard Shortcuts | Descriptions – How to Use |
|---|---|
| Command-X | Cut |
| Command-C | Copy |
| Command-V | Paste |
| Command-Z | Undo |
| Command-A | Select all |
| Command-P | Print the current document |
| Command-F | To find items |
| Command-H | Hide the windows of the front app |
| Command-M | Minimize the front window to the Dock |
| Command-O | Open the selected item |
| Command-S | Save the current document |
| Command-T | Open a new Tab |
| Command-Tab | Switch apps |
| Command-Q | Quit app |
| Command-Space bar | Find files/ To search Spotlight |
| Option-Command-Esc | Force quit app |
Finder
Use Command-N to open a new finder window. It helps to create a new folder in the finder. You can try the below shortcuts.
| Command-Shift-H | Opens home folder in finder |
| Command-Shift-D | Opens desktop folder in finder |
| Command-Shift-A | Opens the Applications folder |
| Command-Shift-U | Opens the utilities folder in the finder |
| Spacebar | Select the file and Press the Space key to Quickly See Preview of the file in finder, the Esc key to Close Quicklook. |
Switching Windows
The switching windows help users to scroll through all open applications. Hold the command key, press the Tab key, and tap on the left or right arrow key to switch a particular window. In the end, release the command key.
Desktop
| 1 | Command + W | To close all active windows |
| 2 | Command-⇧ Shift-H | Opens home folder in finder |
| 3 | Command-⇧ Shift-D | Opens desktop folder in finder |
| 4 | Command-⇧ Shift-A | Opens the Applications folder |
| 5 | Command-⇧ Shift-U | Opens the utilities folder in the finder |
| 6 | ^Control – Command – Power/Eject | To Reboot or restart your Mac |
| 7 | ⌘Command – ⌥Option – ^Control – Power/Eject | To Shut Down your Mac |
| 8 | ⌘Command – ⇧Shift – Q | To Log off of your Mac |
| 9 | ⌥Option – ⌘Command – ESC | To Force Quit an app |
| 10 | ⌘Command – ⌥Option – Power/Eject | To put your Mac to sleep |
| 11 | ⇧Shift – ^Control – Power/Eject | To turn off your Mac’s display |
| 12 | ⌘Command + ^Control + Q | To quickly lock your MacBook |
Show Desktop
| F11 or (Fn + F11) | Show Desktop Quickly |
Shutdown
There are two shortcuts to quit all apps and shut down mac.
- Press the ^Control-⌥Option-⌘Command-Power button; or
- ⌘Command – ⌥Option – ^Control – Power/Eject.
Screenshot
The screenshot is a simple and easiest way to keep the necessary contents in our device. It works on all smartphones and computers. In Mac, there is a simple shortcut to take a screenshot.
- Tap and hold the given keys together: Shift + ⌘Command + 3.
You can save the screenshot to your desktop for future use.
Mission Control
Like switching windows, the mission control helps to view all open windows on your Mac. It is easy to switch to full-screen mode with mission control.
Step.1)➞ Tap on the f3 key.
Step.2)➞ Swipe up with three on your trackpad, or you may use four fingers.
Step.3)➞ Open the Mission Control app from the application and tap the Motion control key on your Apple Keyboard or Touch Bar.
Step.4)➞ Tap on the surface twice with two fingers.
Spotlight Search
The spotlight search saves you time searching for any content and apps. Hit the command and space bar, and your spotlight search bar appears. You can easily convert currencies, do sums, and search the web.
Find Things in Documents
You can find particular words or phrases as you want on documents.
Press the ⌘Command + F, and mac will highlight the words on a specific page.
Zoom in/Out
Use the zoom in/out shortcut key for zooming, scroll around the page, and zoom out.
| ⌘Command and + | To zoom in the active window |
| ⌘Command and – | To zoom out the active window |
| ⌘Command and 0 | For Default (normal) |
Open files from the keyboard
There is a shortcut way to open file from the keyboard. follow the steps below:
Step.1)➞ Select your file in a finder or on the desktop
Step.2)➞ Press ⌘Command– ⬇down arrow and double click on it.
In another option, you can Tap on ⌘Command-O to open a file.
Rename file
To rename file follow the steps below:
Step.1)➞ Choose the file.
Step.2)➞ Tap the Return key to rename it, and
Step.3)➞ Click on the Return key, and it’s done.
Right click
The right-click helps users to perform cut, paste, save, and more actions. First, move to system preferences, and second, enable the right-click option for the mouse and Trackpad.
Press the F4 key ➞ System Preferences ➞ Click on Mouse option ➞Point & click option ➞ Enable the secondary click option to click on the right side.
In the same vein, enable the secondary click option on the Trackpad.
Press the F4 key ➞ System Preferences ➞ Click on Trackpad ➞Point & click option ➞ Enable the secondary click option to click or tap with two fingers.
Delete key Shortcut
There are many ways to use the delete key directly and modifier keys. Clicking only a delete button deletes a forward character. Two more shortcuts are listed below.
| ⌘(Command) + Delete | To delete a file or whole word |
| Fn key + Delete | To Delete forward character |
In conclusion, keyboard shortcuts are essential for repetitive automotive tasks and connect functionality from different applications. Moreover, you can create your shortcuts or use the shortcuts editor, which is redesigned from the ground up on Mac. Thanks!
