Useful Apple Key Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts are another method of controlling your Mac with the same or less effort used with a mouse or trackpad. The following are some well known and not so well known key combinations for your Mac. (*Note: the Command key is also known as the “Apple” key or the key).

The Shortcuts
Command-W: Closes current window

Command-Option-W: Closes all windows

Command-Q: Quits current application

Command-M: Minimizes current window

Command-N (in Finder): Opens new finder window

Command-A: Selects all text, pictures or windows on the screen

Command-C: Copies selected text/pictures/files/folders

Command-V: Pastes copied or cut text/pictures/files/folders

Command-Z: Undo

Command-Space: Opens Spotlight

Command-Tab: Shows all open app icons in bar on screen (continue to hold Command and tap Tab to move through the open apps or use the arrow keys to highlight a specific app, hit enter or click and it will bring you directly to the app)

Command-F: when on your desktop – brings up a finder search window, when browsing the web or looking at a document – brings up the search box to search within that specific document or website

Command-I: Get Info on selected file/folder

Command-drag file: move file to new location

Option-Shift-Command-Esc (held for 3 secs): force quits current application

Option-Command-Eject: Start Sleep Mode

Control-Command-Eject: Quit all apps and restart

Control-Option-Command-Eject: Quit all apps and shut down

Control-Eject: bring up shutdown options window

Option-Shift-Command-Q: Quick Logout

Command-Delete: Move to Trash

Shift-Command-Delete: Empty Trash

Command-Shift-3: Take a picture of entire screen

Command-Shift-4: Select specific part of screen and take picture

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