Over 35 Mac Keyboard Shortcuts You Should Know

Author:
Ana Menez
Updated date:
Dec 22, 2020

Love scribbling about stuff I love and stuff I know (and don't). Sharing [hopefully] helpful and usable content whenever I can.

top-45-mac-keyboard-shortcuts-you-better-know — Pixies

Mac keyboard shortcuts make using your Apple Mac and iMac easier. For those of us who spend long hours tapping away on the keyboard, these shortcuts will amount to a massive number of taps, minutes, and energy saved. Start using these shortcuts now and experience for yourself how much time you save.

The Full List

If you’re out looking for a set of Mac shortcuts to copy and paste to your local computer, here they are. For those who want some additional explanations and picture tutorials, then great! Won’t you indulge by reading on?

Screenshot Shortcuts

Shift + Command + 3 (Screenshot the entire screen)
Shift + Command + 4 (Screenshot of a selected area)
Shift + Cmd + 4, then Space (Screenshot the active window)

Shortcuts for Web or Word Doc Texts

Command + A (Select all)
Select text then press Command + C (Copy or grab text)
Command + V (Paste copied or grabbed text)
Command + S (Save)
Command + F (Search within current page [Doc and Web])
Select text then press Command + X (Cut text)
Command + P (Print current open file or web page)
Command + Z (Undo last action)
Select text then press Command + Option + C (Change selected text to ALL CAPS. Press again to revert back)
Fn + Command + Left (Scroll to top of Word document)
Fn + Command + Right (Scroll to bottom of Word document)

Shortcuts for Web Browsing

Command + + (Zoom in in Web Window)
Command + - (Zoom out in Web window
Fn + Left Arrow (Scroll straight to the top of the web page)
Fn + Right Arrow (Scroll straight to the end of the web page)
Command + Up (also Scroll straight to the top of the web page)
Command + Down (also Scroll straight to the end of the web page)
Command + Shift + T (Open your last closed tab)
Command + Shift + Vertical Line (See all your open tabs in one Safari window.)
General Shortcuts for Apps and Windows
Command + H (Hide Current App/Web Window)
Command + M (Minimize current App/Web Window)
Command + O (Opens file window)
Command + W (Close current app/web window)
Command + N (Open a new app/web window)
Command + Option + H (Hide all other open app/web windows)
Command + Option + W (Close all current app/web windows)
Command + Option + M (Minimize all windows [except Doc. This pulls up margins in Doc])
Command + Backtick [`] (Move between open windows in currently active app/web page)

Miscellaneous Shortcuts

Press Function then Function Launch Dictation on Mac. (Start speaking. Press Function when finished.)
Command + Space (Open Spotlight search on Mac)
Command + Comma (Open Preferences for the active app)
Command + Tab (Switch to the next open app)
Command + Q Quit App ( fully exit)
Command + Option + D (Show or hide the Dock from view)
Select File then Command + Delete ( in Finder Window- Move selection to trash)
Shift + Command + Delete (In Finder Window- Empty the trash)

Screenshots on a Mac

You read something interesting, and you want to capture the moment. Click. Screenshot it. Honestly, impulsive screenshot-ters get ridiculed for maxing their mobile phone and laptop drives, but there are many important uses for a screenshot. A screenshot lets you document important web transactions for evidence and other future uses. It also allows you to neatly grab a photo or portions of text. (Just make sure you don’t pass them off as your own!)

Shortcuts for Screenshots

Shift + Command + 3 (Screenshot the entire screen)
Shift + Command + 4 (Screenshot of a selected area)
Shift + Cmd + 4, then Space (Screenshot the active window)

Picture Tutorial

screenshot of my adorable bullmastiff! shift + command +4 brings the crosshairs. just adjust and let go.

selecting screenshot of active window. shift-command-4-space highlights active window. tap anywhere on active window to take screenshoot.

Shortcuts for Word Documents and Websites

Words that touch and inspire you. Data you need. These shortcuts make it easy to grab, transfer, and even duplicate bodies of text.

Command + A (Select all)
Select text then press Command + C (Copy or grab text)
Command + V (Paste copied or grabbed text)
Command + S (Save)
Command + F (Search within current page [Doc and Web])
Select text then press Command + X (Cut text)
Command + P (Print current open file or web page)
Command + Z (Undo last action)
Select text then press Command + Option + C (Change selected text to ALL CAPS. Press again to revert back)
Fn + Command + Left (Scroll to top of Word document)
Fn + Command + Right (Scroll to bottom of Word document)

Bring up the Find window and locate a word or phrase anywhere on the web or doc page.

Web Browsing Shortcuts

Honestly, these shortcuts are heaven-sent. Comfortably read text with the zoom in and out shortcuts. Go straight up or down the end of the page whenever you need to. Open a tab you accidentally closed. And view all your Safari tabs on one page.

If you browse the Internet on a regular basis, start mastering these browsing shortcuts now.

Command + - (Zoom out in Web window)
Command + + (Zoom in in Web Window)
Fn + Left Arrow (Scroll straight to the top of the web page)
Fn + Right Arrow (Scroll straight to the top of the web page)
Command + Up (also Scroll straight to the top of the web page)
Command + Down (also Scroll straight to the top of the web page)
Command + Shift + T (Open your last closed tab)
Command + Shift + Vertical Line (See all your open tabs in one Safari window.)

see that 500% zoom rate on the top right? big alright.

hide windows from... your cat (yeah, right)
Alexas_Fotos

Want to Hide Something Real Quick?

If you just can't lay off social media at work, this little bit is great for you. Quickly minimize, hide, and even close windows or applications. Switch between windows too.

Seriously though, these are great-to-know if you're working on sensitive matters; and also if you tend to clutter your screen. Relieve your confused eyes with simple shortcuts like below.

Command + H (Hide Current App/Web Window)
Command + M (Minimize current App/Web Window)
Command + O (Opens file window)
Command + W (Close current app/web window)
Command + N (Open a new app/web window)
Command + Option + H (Hide all other open app/web windows)
Command + Option + W (Close all current app/web windows)
Command + Option + M (Minimize all windows [except Doc. This pulls up margins in Doc])
Command + Backtick [`] (Move between open windows in currently active app/web page)

Other Keyboard Shortcuts

Search your Mac with Spotlight. Hide the dock below (or on the side). Delete files real quick and empty your trash, man, real quick.

Press Function then Function Launch Dictation on Mac. (Start speaking. Press Function when finished.)
Command + Space (Open Spotlight search on Mac)
Command + Comma (Open Preferences for an active app)
Command + Tab (Switch to the next open app)
Command + Q Quit App ( FULLY exit app, not just close)
Command + Option + D (Show or hide the Dock from view)
Select File then Command + Delete ( in Finder Window- Move selection to trash)
Shift + Command + Delete (In Finder Window- Empty the trash)

command-tab brings up icons of your current open applications . switch by pressing tab.

Need More Shortcuts?

On Mac and Windows, application command shortcuts are provided to the immediate right, when available. Dang it. I should have just said that right away and left you to jot down important shortcuts by yourself. Nah, I want to do put in my meaningful contribution to our online society.. Well, here's hoping this was meaningful. Cheers!

Interesting links

Mac versus PC: 10 reasons why Macs are better than PCs - Macworld UK
We investigate ten reasons why Macs are better than PCs as we ignite the Mac vs PC debate, dispelling the myths about price, spec, choice, and compatibility. Find out if you should choose Mac not Windows!
Difference Between Apple and PC keyboards
Keyboard Differences - Switching to the Mac: The Missing Manual, Mavericks Edition [Book]
Keyboard Differences Mac and PC keyboards are subtly different. Making the switch involves two big adjustments: figuring out where the special Windows keys went (like Alt and Ctrl)—and figuring ... - Selection from Switching to the Mac: The Missing M