The Mac Option key also allows users to adjust brightness and volume in smaller increments for more fine-tuned adjustments. Just the keyboard shortcut “Option–Shift–Keyboard Brightness Up/Down” and “Option–Shift–Keyboard Volume Up/Down” to do that. Copy a Dragged Item. Keyboard Shortcuts. Keyboard shortcuts are a combination of keys that provide quick access to a particular function within a computer program. Using these shortcuts can help you navigate your computer faster. Here are some of our favorites: PC Shortcuts (Web and Microsoft Word) Action Keyboard Shortcut Copy Ctrl + C Paste Ctrl + V Cut Ctrl + X. But using keyboard shortcuts can help you do many things much faster on your Mac. You can control your system, work with documents, and navigate quicker and easier than you probably think. For a nice reference you can bookmark, here are 50 common keyboard shortcuts that all Mac users should know.
Which shortcuts can I use?
Shortcuts can save you a lot of time. It works faster and you are less likely to suffer from a mouse arm. In this tip, we’ll first explain which shortcuts you can use on a daily basis and which you really need to memorize. Then we explain which keyboard shortcuts or shortcuts you use on the desktop, in the Safari browser and while typing.
Handy shortcuts for everyone
- This is also possible on the Mac, but you must first install a free app: CheatSheet. After you’ve downloaded CheatSheet, you can bring up a keyboard shortcut overlay on your Mac by holding down the Command key. You will immediately see your cheat sheet with shortcuts. The list adapts to the app that is currently active.
- You can use these keyboard shortcuts on your Mac or PC to quickly format text. Westend61/Getty Images Keyboard shortcuts for text formatting involve holding down two or three keys at a time to.
Everyone should know these handy shortcuts:
| KEY COMBINATION | ACTION |
|---|---|
| Cmd + Tab | Switch quickly between programs |
| Cmd + ~ | Quickly switch between program windows |
| Cmd + Backspace | Throw the file in the trash |
| Cmd + W | Close active window |
| Cmd + Q | Close active program |
| Cmd + Spacebar | Open Spotlight |
| Cmd + C | Copy text |
| Cmd + V | Paste text |
| Cmd + X | Cut text |
| Shift + Alt + Cmd + V | Paste text without including the formatting |
| Cmd + F | Find keyword |
| Cmd + A | Select all text |
| Cmd + B | Make all selected text bold |
| Cmd + I | Make all selected text italic |
| Cmd + U | Underline all selected text |
Keyboard shortcuts for your Mac desktop
On the desktop and in the Finder you can use the following handy shortcuts:
| KEY COMBINATION | ACTION |
|---|---|
| Cmd + N | Opens a new Finder window |
| Cmd + M | Minimizes an active window |
| Cmd + T | Opens a new tab within the active window |
| Cmd + Shift + N | Creates a new Folder |
| Enter | Rename a file after selecting it |
| Spacebar | Show a preview of the file |
| Cmd + Delete | Moves a selected file to the trash |
| Shift + arrows | Select multiple files |
Keyboard shortcuts for Safari browser on Mac
You can use many of these keyboard shortcuts in Safari and most other browsers on your Mac . In addition, we have a number of others that are useful, especially for the browser:
| SAFARI SHORTCUTS | ACTION |
|---|---|
| Cmd + N | Opens a new window |
| Cmd + Shift + N | Opens a new incognito window |
| Cmd + W | Close the current tab |
| Cmd + T | Open a new tab |
| Cmd + Shift + T | Reopen the last closed tab |
| cmd + Option + Right arrow / Left arrow | Open the next / previous tab in the series of open tabs |
| Cmd + 1/2/3 | Open the first, second and third tab |
| Cmd + 9 | Go to the very first tab |
| Cmd + R | Reload the web page |
| Cmd + Shift + R | Enter reading mode |
| Cmd + L | Select the address bar at the top |
| Cmd + F | Search for a word on the page |
| Cmd + Left arrow | Go back to the last visited page |
| Cmd + P | Print page |
| Cmd + M | Minimize the window |
Keyboard shortcuts while typing on Mac
You can also take advantage of numerous keyboard shortcuts on the Mac while typing. This is especially useful if you have to write a lot of texts, but it actually comes in handy for anyone who has to write or edit a bit longer text on a regular basis.
| KEY COMBINATION | ACTION |
|---|---|
| Cmd + Left arrow / Right arrow | Go to the beginning / end of the line |
| Option + Left arrow / Right arrow | Go to the previous / next word |
| Shift + Left Arrow / Right Arrow | Select the previous / next letter |
| Option + Shift + Left arrow / Right arrow | Select the previous / next word |
| Cmd + Shift + Left Arrow / Right Arrow | Select everything to the left / right of the cursor |
Shortcut overview: CheatSheet
You have shortcuts at your disposal on an iPad Smart Keyboard . If you press the Cmd key, an overlay with all available shortcut keys will appear. This is also possible on the Mac , but you must first install a free app: CheatSheet.
After you’ve downloaded CheatSheet, you can bring up a keyboard shortcut overlay on your Mac by holding down the Command key. You will immediately see your cheat sheet with shortcuts. The list adapts to the app that is currently active. So in Safari you get a different list than in Pages. You can download CheatSheet here.
Humanity should be grateful for the invention of Mac hotkeys. They probably saved us thousand years of time if put together. There is something addictive in using shortcuts - the quickness, the feeling of a keyboard, the geeky confidence in your fingers when you realize “hurray it works!” Once you get hooked on shortcuts, you’ll never go back to clicking again.
Basic Mac hotkeys combinations
Keyboard Shortcut For Bold On Mac Download
1. Quit all apps
Sometimes an app that you thought you quit is still secretly running in the background. When your Mac lags and you need some fresh memory, you may choose to quit all apps. You probably heard of Force Quit (Cmd + Option + Esc), but it’s a too long way to do it.
Quit many apps in a row: Cmd + Tab
Then, holding down Cmd press Q to cycle between apps you need to close.
2. Delete a file completely
Dragging files to the Trash? Wait, this is not the only option. Here’s a shortcut to quickly delete unwanted files on a Mac, bypassing the Trash. Caution: there’s no way back.
To completely delete a file: Option + Cmd + Delete
Did you know, the Command key ? symbol was borrowed from a road sign that is used across Scandinavia? Its original use is to denote tourist attractions. Early Mac models had Apple key instead of Command, but it later was changed as Steve Jobs feared that there would be too many “apples” in the OS interface.
3. Copy and paste a screenshot directly
Cmd + Shift + 4 is an old classic way to make a screenshot on a Mac. But here comes the combination to take your screenshotting skills to the new level. Normally you would make a screenshot, pick it from your desktop, and only then paste it to the new location. It appears, all this time you could do it easier.
To copy-paste a screenshot: Shift + Control + Cmd + 4
4. Quickly switch to the desktop
Sometimes your screen is so obscured by windows it would take years to click through to the desktop. Thank goodness, there is a Mac keystroke combination designed for people like us: the folks who are drowning in an ocean of windows.
To remove window overload: Cmd + F3
5. Open Spotlight
Spotlight, your Mac’s internal search engine, can make your life 1000% easier. It finds files faster than Finder and intuitively predicts what are you after. To open Spotlight right on the spot (sorry for the pun), use this magic combo.
To launch Spotlight search: Cmd + Space bar
Cool shortcut keys for Mac
1. Invert display colors
A truly psychedelic key combination. This shortcut inverts all the colors on your Mac's screen to their opposites. Try it, and your world will never be the same. On the flip side, you can find a few practical applications for this command, for example, to adjust your screen to different lighting.
To invert colors on screen: ?md + Option + F5
2. Restore a recently closed tab
This one can be a real savior if you accidentally closed an important tab in a browser, like that pancake recipe or payment confirmation. There’s an easy Mac keyboard shortcut to restore it.
To restore a closed tab: Cmd + Shift + T
3. To shut down your Mac instantly
No, the following Mac shortcut is not about the force shutdown. It’s used when you need to quickly close all dialog windows and shut down your Mac in a legit way. Learn this one, quickly finish your work and finally go outside.
To quickly shut down a Mac: Control + Option + Command + Eject
4. Mac hot keys to invoke Siri
Among all Mac keyboard commands, this is the easiest. Since Siri’s arrival to macOS we got used to talk to Siri about weather and even ask her to play our favorite tracks on Mac. If you are using macOS Sierra or higher, you’ll enjoy the ability to summon Siri using just one hand.
To launch Siri: Cmd + Space bar
A shortcut to free up space on your Mac
Well, not exactly a shortcut, but indeed the quickest way to get more storage on your Mac.
Download CleanMyMac + Install + Click Smart Scan
This combination of actions will free up dozens of gigabytes of space taken by garbage: unwanted files, system junk, app leftovers, etc. CleanMyMac removes about 54 GB of junk on an average Mac. Try and see how it cleans your Mac.
CleanMyMac is available for a free download here.
Finder shortcuts
Finder is quite a resource-demanding tool. When you open a new Finder window it usually takes some time. For quicker access to your main destinations like Applications or Desktop, you can use the following shortcut combinations.
To quickly access Finder folders:
Cmd + Shift + A (for Applications)
Cmd + Shift + U (for Utilities)
Cmd + Shift + D (for Desktop)
Chrome shortcuts
Having hundreds of opened tabs in a browser has become a widespread syndrome nowadays. Closing tabs with a mouse is not only frustrating but also may freeze up your browser. Using a direct shortcut makes this job easy as a morning walk.
To close a current tab in Chrome: Cmd + W
To close a Chrome window: Cmd + Shift + W
To open a new Chrome tab: Cmd + T
Psychologists say you have to do something at least 3 times to put it in your long-term memory. Attach small sticky notes to the outlines of your Mac’s screen with 3 or 4 shortcuts you really want to master. Then, leave it all to your fingers.
Mac shortcuts for documents
1. Copy text without formatting
You want to copy a piece of the text, but the old formatting drags along with it. Now you spend more time formatting rather than actually creating a text. To strip the text from old styling, use the following Mac hotkeys combination. A very good one to stretch your fingers.
To paste text without formatting:
Hold down Shift + Option + Command and hit V
2. Paste special symbols and emojis
Quick Key For Bold On Mac
Probably this is the easiest documented shortcut key for a Mac. To enter special symbols, like those lamdas, tildas, and alfas, you need to press just one key. For instance, if you need to type a modified E, hold down the E key for one second and then choose among available variations that appear.
To enter an alternate character: Hold down the character key
To paste emojis in the text: Press Control + Command + Space
3. Enter a strikethrough text on a Mac
You won’t believe, but 8000 people are googling how to do a strikethrough text on a Mac everyday. Although some applications don’t support it, this combination well works in TextEdit and Word. Now you can use it in every second line to add some roughness to your writing.
To apply strikethrough formatting: Cmd + Shift + X
4. Quickly print documents
The next combination works for most apps that allow printing. You don’t need to figure out where the print dialogue is located in every case. Just memorize this quick combination and send your files to print from anywhere.
To invoke a print dialogue: Cmd + P
Mac shortcuts to delete many files at once
There comes a time when you need to do a spring cleaning on your Mac: sort out old garbage, move photos to an external drive, or clean up your old downloads. It is time-consuming and takes an immense willpower simply to start. But lucky you are: there are a few shortcuts to remove large heaps of files as quickly as if you had a machete.
To select folder contents: Cmd + A
To delete a group of files after selection: Cmd + Delete
To empty the Trash: Cmd + Shift + Delete
If you’ve got many files left after backing up, this will save you a good deal of time moving them to the Trash bin.
To save you from a headache, there are apps that will do the mundane deletion job in an instant. CleanMyMac is perhaps the most reliable one. It has a tool that specifically searches for Large & Old files on your drive for a quick cleanup. CleanMyMac is available for a free download. So, check it out.
This was our take on most useful keyboard shortcuts for Mac. Thanks for reading. Below you'll find a few more links about Mac and productivity.