For Mac OS, what are some useful keyboard commands?
Note: For information about keyboard commands in Mac OS X, see For Mac OS X, what are some useful keyboard commands?
Although Mac OS allows for the manipulation of files and applications using the mouse alone, there are nonetheless a number of keyboard commands for navigating the Mac OS GUI.
Key commands in the Finder
Below are some keyboard commands that may be helpful when working in the Mac OS Finder:
Note: The Command key (the apple key) is next to the
Spacebar. In the Knowledge Base, the Command key is usually
abbreviated Cmd. The Power key is usually in the upper
right corner of the keyboard, denoted by a small triangle pointing to
the left or a broken circle and vertical line.
| Action | Keystrokes |
|---|---|
| Select items in alphabetical order on the desktop | Press
Tab. Press Shift-Tab to move backward,
or use the arrow keys to move in a specific direction.
|
| Select specific item on the desktop or in a Finder window | Begin to type the item's name on the keyboard. |
| Select (or unselect) all items on the desktop or in a Finder window | Press Cmd-a .
|
| Open a selected item | Press Cmd-o .
|
| Rename a selected item | Press Return and type
the new name.
|
| Make a copy of a selected item | Press Cmd-d .
|
| Open a selected folder or application | Press Cmd-o or
Cmd-down arrow.
|
| Eject a selected disk | Press Cmd-e . (In
system software prior to OS 8, use Cmd-y .)
|
| Make an alias of a selected item | Press
Cmd-m . (Mac OS 7.5 or higher)
|
| Show original of a selected alias | Press
Cmd-r . (Mac OS 8.0 or higher)
|
| Make a new folder | Press Cmd-n .
|
| Trash selected item | Press Cmd-Del. (Mac OS
8.0 and higher)
|
| Empty Trash | Press Cmd-Shift-Del. (Mac OS 9.1 and
higher)
|
| Close window | Press Cmd-w . To close all
open windows while in the Finder, press Option-Cmd-w .
|
| Hide an open application | Press Option and click
the desktop with the mouse.
|
| Get information about a selected item | Press
Cmd-i .
|
| Switch between open applications | Press Cmd-Tab.
(Mac OS 8.5 and higher)
|
| Take a picture of the screen |
Press
Cmd-Shift-3 . The picture will be stored on your hard
drive.
|
| Take a picture of a portion of the screen only | Press
Cmd-Shift-4 . (Mac OS 7.6 or higher) The cursor will
change into a crosshair. Hold down the mouse button, drag the
crosshair over the portion of the screen you wish to take a picture
of, then release the mouse button.
|
| Take a picture of the current window | Press the Caps
Lock key, then press Cmd-Shift-4 .
|
| Cancel an action | Press Cmd-. (the period
key).
|
| Shut down the computer | Press the Power key, then
Return. (System 7.5.3 and higher) Some older Macintoshes
do not support this feature.
|
| Restart the computer | Press the Power key, then
r . (System 7.5.3 and higher) Some older Macintoshes
do not support this feature.
|
| Put the computer to sleep | Press the Power key, then
s . (System 7.5.3 and higher) Some older Macintoshes
do not support this feature.
|
Key commands in other applications
Key commands in applications other than the Finder differ, but the following are common to most (but not all) programs:
| Action | Keystrokes |
|---|---|
| Create a new document | Press Cmd-n .
|
| Save the current document | Press Cmd-s .
|
| Print the current document | Press Cmd-p .
|
| Quit the application | Press Cmd-q .
|
| Select text | Press and hold the Shift key and
then use the arrow keys to move over the text you want.
|
| Copy selected text or object | Press Cmd-c .
|
| Cut selected text or object | Press Cmd-x .
|
| Paste | Press Cmd-v .
|
| Undo last action | Press Cmd-z .
|
For other keyboard commands, check the menus within the application and consult the documentation for the program you are using.
Also see:
- In Mac OS applications, how do I assign keystrokes to menu commands that don't already have them?
- What are the major differences between versions of the Macintosh operating system?
- For Mac OS X, where can I obtain updates and new releases?
- What books are available for Mac OS and Mac OS X computers, and where can I find them?
- In Mac OS, how can I take a picture of the screen?
Last modified on April 05, 2007.
