The MacBook has a loyal audience the world over, renowned for user-friendliness, sheer panache, and excellent fitment to multimedia and creative applications. Some users experience a slight learning curve when moving from a Windows platform. However, the Mac OS has plentiful benefits, not the least of which is additional security and stability.
Mac keyboards support shortcuts for faster work. Generally, these are combinations of a modifier and a final key (or multiple keys). The standard modifiers are Command, Control, Return, Escape, and the arrow keys.
Some users find these shortcuts speed up their daily work, avoiding the need to move the cursor around with a mouse or trackpad. They can also serve you well if tracking devices are having a sick day!
The special keys in the top row of a Mac keyboard let you adjust brightness, volume, etc. But you can use them as regular function keys by clubbing them with ‘Fn.’
System & Media Shortcuts for your Mac
Apple has designed the Mac keyboard intuitively to ensure you don’t accidentally press a shortcut and perform an unwarranted action. So, some of the following will require longer presses than others.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Option–Command–Power button/Media Eject | Put the computer to sleep |
| Control–Shift–Power button/Media Eject | Put only the displays to sleep |
| Control–Power button/Media Eject | Get options to restart, sleep, or shut down the system |
| Control-Command-Q | Lock your screen |
| Shift-Command-Q | Log out of your macOS user account after confirmation |
| Option-Shift-Command-Q | Force log out of your macOS user account |
| Control–Command–Media Eject | Restart the system after quitting open apps and saving any unsaved documents |
| Control–Command–Power button | Force the system to restart |
| Control–Option–Command–Power button/Media Eject | Shut down the system after quitting open apps and saving any unsaved documents |
| Command-E | Eject a disk or volume |
Document Editing Shortcuts
Working on text-based documents on a MacBook can be pleasurable, thanks to the crisp Retina display and the smooth typing experience. Many writers prefer Macs because of their longer battery life and the native ‘Pages’ app that facilitates collaboration and working with research materials.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Command-O | Open a document |
| Command-D | Select the Desktop folder in an Open or Save dialog box |
| Command-P | Print the document |
| Command-S | Save the active document |
| Shift-Command-S | Display the Save As dialog box |
| Command-A | Select all the text in a document (or all the items) |
| Command-X | Cut the selected item or text |
| Command-C | Copy the selected item or text |
| Option-Command-C | Copy only the formatting settings of the selected item |
| Command-V | Paste the contents of the Clipboard (it also works with items like files) |
| Option-Command-V | Apply the copied style to a selected item |
| Option-Shift-Command-V | Apply the style of the neighboring content to an item pasted therein, matching the styles |
| Command-Z | Undo the last action command |
| Shift-Command-Z | Redo the last action |
| Command-F | Find text in a document |
| Command-G | Find the next occurrence of a specific item |
| Shift-Command-G | Find the previous occurrence |
| Control–Command–Space | See the Character Viewer to find emojis and other symbols |
| Command-B | Make/remove boldfacing on selected text |
| Command-I | Perform/remove italicization on selected text |
| Command-U | Perform/remove underlining on selected text |
| Command-K | Add a hyperlink |
| Command-T | Access the Fonts window |
| Shift-Command-Colon (:) | See the Spelling and Grammar window |
| Command-Semicolon (;) | Find spelling errors |
| Control-Command-D | View or hide the word definition |
| Option-Delete | Delete the word to the left |
| Control-H | Delete the character to the left |
| Control-D Fn-Delete | Delete the character to the right |
| Control-K | Erase the text that comes between the point of insertion and the end of the line (or para) |
| Fn-Delete Control-D | Forward delete |
| Fn–↑ | Go up one page |
| Fn–↓ | Go down one page |
| Fn–← | Scroll to the beginning of the document |
| Fn–→ | Move to the end of the document |
| Command–Any Arrow Key | Take the insertion point to the start or end of the document or the current line based on the direction of the arrow |
| Option–Left or Right Arrow Key | Take the insertion point to the beginning or end of the previous or next word as specified by the arrow |
| Shift–Command–Any Arrow Key | Select the text between the point of insertion and the start or end of the document or the current line |
| Shift–Any Arrow Key | Expand the text selection to the nearest character placed at the same horizontal spot on the line above, below, left, or right |
| Option–Shift–Any Arrow Key | Expand the text selection to the start or end of the current paragraph or word based on the arrow direction. Pressing this combo again will extend the selection to the beginning or end of the following paragraph or word. |
| Control-A | Move to the start of the line or the paragraph |
| Control-E | Go to the end of a line or a paragraph |
| Control-F | Move a character forward |
| Control-B | Go a character backward |
| Control-P | Go up a line |
| Control-N | Move down a line |
| Control-O | Insert a new line |
| Control-T | Exchange the characters behind and in front of the insertion point |
| Command–Left Curly Bracket ({) | Align the text left |
| Command–Right Curly Bracket (}) | Align the text right |
| Shift–Command–Vertical bar (|) | Align the text center |
| Control-L | Center the cursor in the visible area (or any selection) |
| Option-Command-F | See the search field |
| Option-Command-T | Show or hide a toolbar |
| Option-Command-I | Display or hide the inspector window |
| Shift–Command–Question mark (?) | See the Help menu |
| Shift-Command-P | Get options for document settings |
| Shift–Command–Minus sign (-) | Reduce the size of an item |
| Shift–Command–Plus sign (+) or Command–Equal sign (=) | Increase the size of an item |
Shortcuts for Accessibility
Spotlight Search is one of the standout accessibility advantages of a Mac, letting you search not only documents but also emails, calendars, etc. Macs have multiple options to assist users with specific needs for vision, hearing, motor movements, etc. Apple has also been working on Personal Voice and live captions.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Option-Command-F5 Triple-press Touch ID | See the Accessibility Shortcuts panel |
| Command–Space | Show or hide Spotlight search |
| Command–Option–Space | To conduct a Spotlight search |
| Shift-Command-3/4/5 | Take a screenshot or a screen recording. Or use Shift-Command-3 or Shift-Command-4 for screenshots. Learn more about screenshots. |
| Control-Option-Command-8 | Invert colors |
| Control-Option-Command-Comma (,) or Period (.) | Reduce and increase contrast for visibility |
| Command-F5 | Switch on or off VoiceOver |
| Option–Volume Up | Open Sound preferences |
| Option–Shift–Volume Up/Down | Slowly adjust the sound volume |
| Command key + Dragging an item to another volume | Move the item to another volume |
| Option–Keyboard Brightness Up | See keyboard preferences |
| Option–Shift–Keyboard Brightness Up/Down | Slowly adjust the keyboard brightness |
| Option–Brightness Up | See display preferences |
| Command–Brightness Down | Enable or disable video mirroring |
| Option–Shift–Brightness Up/Down | Slowly adjust the display brightness |
| Control-Option–Shift–Brightness Up/Down | Slowly adjust the brightness of an external display |
| Control–Brightness Up/Down | Modify the brightness of an external display |
| Shift-Command-I | Go to the iCloud Drive |
| Shift-Command-K | Go to the Network window |
Finder Shortcuts
Finder is Mac’s native file management tool, presenting a welcome design and style enhancement over the traditional File Explorer of Windows. New users might find File Explorer easier to navigate, but Finder has definite benefits with Quick Actions.
The shortcuts may change based on the view. For example, arrow keys like right and left can open or close the selected folder in the list view. Option-clicking a disclosure triangle will open all the subfolders in the list view.
Window Management
Keeping your workspace clutter-free can be trickier on a Mac if you have just moved from Windows. Mission Control can help move between open apps in full screen or Split View. Some users prefer a third-party app for windows management and multitasking, like Swish or Magnet.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Command-N | Start a new Finder window |
| Shift-Command-H | Go to the Home folder (specific to the current user account) |
| Shift-Command-C | Open the Computer window |
| Shift-Command-D | Go to the desktop folder |
| Option-Command-L | View the Downloads folder |
| Shift-Command-O | Go to the Documents folder |
| Command-K | Access the Connect to Server window |
| Shift-Command-R | Open the AirDrop window |
| Shift-Command-F | See your recent files |
| Shift-Command-G | Access the Go to Folder window |
| Shift-Command-U | Open Utilities |
| Shift-Command-N | Create a new folder |
| Control-Command-A | Make an alias |
| Option-Command-N | Make a new Smart Folder |
| Option + Double-click | Open the item in a fresh window and close the original one |
| Command + Double-click | Open a folder in a new tab or window |
| Command-D | Create duplicates of the selected files |
| Command-F | Start a Spotlight search in the Finder |
| Command-I | See the information for the selected file |
| Command-R | Show the original file for the alias selected |
| Shift-Command-P | View or hide the Preview pane |
| Shift-Command-T | View or hide the tab bar |
| Option-Command-D | View or hide the dock |
| Control-Shift-Command-T | Add an item to the dock |
| Control-Command-T | Add an item to the sidebar |
| Option-Command-P | Show or hide the path bar |
| Option-Command-S | Hide or see the sidebar |
| Command–Slash (/) | Hide or see the status bar |
| Command-J | See view options |
| Command-T | View or hide the tab bar |
| Option-Command-T | See or hide the toolbar |
| Command-Y | Preview the selected files |
| Option-Command-Y | See a slideshow of the chosen files |
| Command-1 to 4 | View items as icons, lists, columns, or a gallery |
| Command–(]) i.e. Right Bracket | Move to the next folder |
| Command–([) i.e. Left Bracket | Move to the previous folder |
| Command–↑ | Open the parent folder |
| Command–Control–↑ | Open the parent folder in a new window |
| Command–↓ | Open the chosen item |
| Command-Delete | Delete the chosen item |
| Shift-Command-Delete | Clear the trash |
| Option-Shift-Command-Delete | Clear the trash without the need for a confirmation |
| Control–↓ | Show all windows of the active app |
| Option + Dragging | Copy an item |
| Option-Command-V | Transfer the files in the Clipboard to the current location |
| Option-Command + Dragging | Make an alias for the item |
| Command-click on a window title | See the parent folders |
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Command-T | Open a new tab |
| Command-H | Hide the windows of the active application |
| Option-Command-H | See only the front app while hiding all others |
| Command-M | Minimize the front window |
| Option-Command-M | Minimize all the windows of the front app |
| Command–Grave accent (`) | Switch between windows of the active app |
| Shift–Command–Grave accent (`) | Activate the previously opened window for the current app |
| Option–Command–Grave accent (`) | Focus on the window drawer |
| Shift-Tab | Move to the previous control |
| Control-Tab | Move to the next control if a text field is selected |
| Control-Shift-Tab | Move to the earlier grouping of controls |
| Control–Arrow keys | Move to a control next to a text field |
| Control-Command-F | Switch to full screen for the app |
| Control-F2 Fn-Control-F2 | Focus on the menu bar |
| Control-F3 Fn-Control-F3 | Focus on the Dock |
| Control-F4 Fn-Control-F4 | Focus on the active window (or the next one) |
| Control-F5 Fn-Control-F5 | Focus on the window toolbar |
| Control-F6 Fn-Control-F6 | Focus on the floating window |
| Control-Shift-F6 | Focus on the previous panel |
| Control-F7 Fn-Control-F7 | Modify how a tab shifts focus, choosing between navigation of all screen controls on only text boxes and lists. |
| Control-F8 Fn-Control-F8 | Focus on the status menu in the menu bar |
| Command-Comma (,) | See preferences for the front application |
| Space | Preview the selected item through Quick Look |
| Command-Tab | When multiple apps are open, this shortcut will switch to the most recently used |
| Command-W | Close the front window |
| Option-Command-W | Close all the app windows |
| Option-Command-Esc | Force close an application |
| Option–Mission Control | View Mission Control preferences |
| Command–Mission Control | See the desktop |
All Mac Keyboard Shortcuts PDF Download
Will these shortcuts work on a Windows keyboard?
You can still use most of these shortcuts if you work on a keyboard meant for a Windows computer. The trick is to make these replacements:
- Use Alt instead of Option
- Use Ctrl or the Windows logo key instead of Command
Why is my Mac keyboard shortcut not working as expected?
You may find some shortcuts not working for a language or keyboard layout. In that case, you can get the appropriate working shortcut next to the menus on various applications. You can also adjust the keyboard layout from the Keyboard Viewer.
Some combinations work only in supported versions of the OS. So, Shift-Command-5 to take a screenshot/recording will apply only in macOS Mojave or later. (Mojave was the fifteenth major release, and its support ended in 2021.) Similarly, the shortcut Command-R reloads the page in Safari but checks for updates in Software Update.
Mac also lets you deactivate shortcuts if they conflict with an app shortcut. For instance, Command-Space is usually the shortcut for Spotlight Search. However, this combination might change input sources if you have multiple input options for various languages. You can resolve a conflict from the System Settings in the Apple menu. The ‘Keyboard Shortcuts’ section lets you deactivate the shortcut you don’t want.
You can customize keyboard shortcuts on Mac, which is tricky on Windows without third-party software. The provision to do this is also under Keyboard Shortcuts in the settings menu. You can use a key only once in a combination. Also, if your desired shortcut conflicts with another, it will not work. ‘Restore Defaults’ is a straightforward approach to revert to the original shortcuts.
A significant portion of the world is happy Apple phased out butterfly keyboards in 2019-2010 — no kidding! The current keyboards use a “scissor switch” mechanism and offer mechanical ease of typing with natural backlighting. Mac OS can be delightful to use, with these shortcuts making the experience smoother.