Mac OS keyboard shortcuts

 

Here are some useful keyboard shortcuts for Mac users:

1. Command + C: Copy selected text or files.
2. Command + V: Paste copied text or files.
3. Command + X: Cut selected text or files.
4. Command + A: Select all text or files in a document or folder.
5. Command + Z: Undo the last action.
6. Command + F: Find text in a document or webpage.
7. Command + T: Open a new tab in Safari.
8. Command + W: Close the current window in Safari or Finder.
9. Command + Q: Quit the current application.
10. Command + Shift + 3: Take a screenshot of the entire screen.
11. Command + Shift + 4: Take a screenshot of a selected area.
12. Command + Tab: Switch between open applications.
13. Command + Shift + N: Create a new folder in Finder.
14. Command + , (comma): Open the Preferences window for the current application.
15. Command + Space: Open Spotlight search.

To type the degree symbol on a Mac, you can use the following keyboard shortcut:

Option + Shift + 8

This will insert the degree symbol (°) wherever your cursor is located, whether it's in a document, text field, or another application.

Mac OS productivity tips with shortcuts

here are some Mac OS productivity tips with shortcuts:

Customize the Dock: 

The Dock is a handy tool for quick access to your favorite applications. 

Use Command+Drag to rearrange the apps in the Dock, 

or use Command+Option+Dto show/hide the Dock.

Split View:

    Split View is a feature that allows you to work on two applications side-by-side. Use 

Control+Up Arrow to enter full-screen mode for an app, and then click and hold the green full-screen button to access Split View.

Siri:

Siri can help you with a variety of tasks. Use Command+Space to activate Siri, and then ask Siri to perform a task such as "Set a reminder for 4 PM."

Spaces:

Spaces is a feature that allows you to create multiple virtual desktops. Use Control+Up Arrow to enter Mission Control, and then click the "Add Space" button in the top-right corner to create a new Space.

Time Machine:

Time Machine is a backup tool that automatically backs up your files to an external hard drive. Use Command+Space to activate Spotlight, and then type "Time Machine" to open the Time Machine preferences.

Spotlight:

Spotlight is a search tool that allows you to quickly find files, emails, contacts, and more. Use Command+Space to activate Spotlight, and then type the name of the item you're looking for.

Remember that not all productivity tips require a shortcut, and not all shortcuts are necessarily productive. It's important to find the right balance and use the tools that work best for you.

Mac Shortcut Restart:

To restart your Mac using a keyboard shortcut, you can use the following command:    

Control+Command+Eject

This will immediately restart your Mac without any confirmation prompts. Note that this will close all open applications and unsaved work will be lost, so be sure to save any important files before using this shortcut.

F3 key on a Mac keyboard:

The F3 key on a Mac keyboard is used to activate Mission Control, which is a feature that allows you to view all open windows, desktops, and full-screen apps on your Mac. When you press the F3 key, all open windows will be scaled down and displayed in a grid, and you can use your mouse or trackpad to select the window you want to focus on.

Note that on some Mac keyboards, the F3 key may be labeled with an icon that looks like three squares overlapping each other, rather than the text "F3."

Dictation Shortcut Mac:

To use dictation on a Mac using a keyboard shortcut, you can use the following command:

Press the "fn" key twice

This will activate the dictation feature on your Mac, allowing you to speak text that will be transcribed into your document or application. 

You can also access the dictation feature by going to "System Preferences" > "Keyboard" > "Dictation," and enabling the "Dictation" feature. From there, you can choose a keyboard shortcut to activate dictation, or use the default "fn" key shortcut.

Magic Mouse Shortcuts:

The Apple Magic Mouse supports a range of gestures that can be used as shortcuts to perform various actions. Here are some of the most common Magic Mouse shortcuts:

1.Scroll: Swipe one finger up or down on the mouse to scroll in any direction.

2.Zoom: Double-tap with two fingers to zoom in and out of the screen.

3.Mission Control: Swipe up with three fingers to view all open windows and apps.

4.App Exposé: Swipe down with three fingers to see all open windows for the current app.

5.Launchpad: Pinch with your thumb and three fingers to open the Launchpad and view all installed apps.

6.Switch between apps: Swipe left or right with two fingers to switch between open apps.

7.Back and Forward: Swipe left or right with one finger to go back or forward in web pages and documents.

8.Show Desktop: Double-tap with two fingers to minimize all windows and show the desktop.

9.Notification Center: Swipe right with two fingers to open the Notification Center.

10.Spotlight: Click and hold with one finger to open Spotlight search and find files, folders, and apps.

Note that some of these gestures may require enabling in the mouse settings on your Mac.

Function Keys:

The function keys on a Mac keyboard, also known as F keys, are a set of keys located on the top row of the keyboard. By default, these keys have special functions assigned to them, but they can also be customized to perform other tasks. Here's a list of the default functions for each key:

F1: Decrease screen brightness

F2: Increase screen brightness

F3: Show Mission Control

F4: Show Launchpad

F5: Decrease keyboard brightness (if your Mac has a backlit keyboard)

F6: Increase keyboard brightness (if your Mac has a backlit keyboard)

F7: Play previous track or rewind

F8: Play/pause

F9: Play next track or fast forward

F10: Mute sound

F11: Decrease volume

F12: Increase volume

Eject key: Ejects CDs or DVDs (if your Mac has a built-in optical drive)

You can also use these keys with modifier keys (such as the Shift or Option key) to access additional functions. For example, pressing the Fn key along with F1 will perform the standard F1 function (decreasing screen brightness) instead of the special function assigned to it by default. Additionally, you can customize the function keys to perform other tasks using the Keyboard preferences pane in System Preferences.

Emoji Mac Keyboard:

The Mac operating system provides several ways to access emojis using your keyboard. Here are some methods you can use:

Emoji Keyboard: 

Press the "Command + Control + Space" keys together to open the Emoji keyboard. From here, you can browse through various categories of emojis and select the one you want to use.

Keyboard Shortcuts: 

Mac OS provides several keyboard shortcuts to access frequently used emojis. For example, "Control + Command + Space" opens the Emoji keyboard and "Control + Command + Space + Type" lets you quickly search for a specific emoji.

Character Viewer: 

You can also access emojis using the Character Viewer. To do this, click on the Apple menu and select "System Preferences." Then click on "Keyboard" and check the box next to "Show keyboard and emoji viewers in menu bar." From the menu bar, select the "Keyboard Viewer" or "Emoji & Symbols" option and choose the emoji you want to use.

Note that some keyboard shortcuts may be customized or disabled in the Keyboard preferences pane in System Preferences. Additionally, some apps may have their own built-in emoji picker or keyboard shortcuts.

Force Quit Mac Shortcut:

If an application on your Mac becomes unresponsive or freezes, you may need to force quit it to close it down. Here are the steps to force quit an application on a Mac using a keyboard shortcut:

Press the "Command + Option + Esc" keys together to open the "Force Quit Applications" window.

In the window, select the application that you want to force quit.

Click the "Force Quit" button.

Confirm that you want to force quit the application by clicking "Force Quit" again.

Alternatively, you can use the "Activity Monitor" utility to force quit an application. Here are the steps:

Open the "Activity Monitor" app. You can find it in the "Utilities" folder within the "Applications" folder, or by using Spotlight search.

In the Activity Monitor, locate the unresponsive application that you want to force quit.

Select the application and click the "Quit Process" button.

Confirm that you want to force quit the application by clicking "Force Quit" in the pop-up window.

Note that force quitting an application may result in the loss of unsaved work, so be sure to save your work regularly to avoid losing data.