ARCHIVED: For Mac OS, what are some useful keyboard commands?

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Note: For information about keyboard commands in Mac OS X, see ARCHIVED: 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.