The Mac keyboard shortcuts you should know.
Keyboard shortcuts are a brilliant time-saver; you can use Mac keyboard shortcuts to streamline your navigation and speed up your workflow on a Mac computer. While it’s a huge challenge to learn all of them, we can always start by learning a few important ones. Be aware that the shortcuts you use may vary depending on the software version you’re using and even the model of computer you have.
Important keyboard shortcuts that every MacBook user must know:
Command or Cmd (⌘)
Shift (⇧)
Option (⌥)
Control (⌃)
Caps Lock (⇪)
Fn
Command+C: To copy text.
Command+V: To paste text.
Command+X: To cut text.
Command+Z: To undo a command.
Command+A: To select all items.
Command+E: To eject the selected disk or volume.
Command+I: To display the “Get Info” window for a selected file.
Command+R: To display the original file for a selected alias in Finder. It’s worth mentioning that in some apps like Calendar or Safari, this shortcut can let you refresh or reload the page. In Software Update preferences, this shortcut allows you to check for software updates again.
Command+D: To duplicate the selected files.
Command+Slash (/): To hide/show the status bar in Finder windows.
Command+J: To display View options.
Command+K: To open the “Connect to Server” window.
Command+Y: To use Quick Look to preview the selected files.
Command+T: To show/hide the tab bar when a single tab is open in a Finder
Command+S: To save an item(s).
Command+F: To search a web page in Safari (or another web browser).
Command+Spacebar: To view the Spotlight search.
Command+Delete: To move the selected item to the Trash.
Command+N: To open a new Finder window.
Command+W: To close a window in browser.
Command+`: To switch to another Safari or app window.
Command-P: To print a web page.
Control+Command+Power button: To restart the Mac.
Control+F2+Left Arrow or Right Arrow: For menu hopping.
Control+Command+Q: To lock the screen.
Shift+Command+Delete: To empty the trash.
Shift+Command+R: To open the AirDrop window.
Shift+Command+5: To capture a screenshot or make a screen recording (macOS Mojave or later).
Shift+Command+Q: To log out of your macOS user account after your confirmation.
Shift+Command+I: To launch iCloud Drive.
Option+Command+F5: To display the Accessibility options.
Option+Command+plus sign: To zoom in.
Option+Command+minus sign: To zoom out.
Option+Command+L: To get to the Downloads folder.
Option+Command+D: To show/hide the Dock.
Option+Command+Power button or Option+Command+Media Eject: To quickly put your Mac to sleep.
Option+Shift+F11/F12: To change volume levels in small increments.
Option+Shift+F1/F2: To change brightness levels in small increments.
Press the arrow keys: To scroll left, right, up, and down.
Command+1: To view the items in the Finder window as icons.
Command+2: To view the items in a Finder window as a list.
Command+3: It lets you view the items in a Finder window in columns.
Command+4: To view the items in a Finder window in a gallery.
Command+Left Bracket ([): To go to the previous folder.
Command+Right Bracket (]): To go to the next folder.
Command+Up Arrow: To open the folder that contains the current folder.
Command+Down Arrow: To open the selected item.
Command+Control+Up Arrow: To open the folder that contains the current folder in a new window.
Command+Brightness Down: To enable/disable video mirroring whenn an external display is connected.
Command+Click a window title: View the folders that contain the current folder. You can click the Go menu in the Finder menu bar to access several useful macOS shortcuts for opening commonly used folders including Applications, Documents, Downloads, Utilities, and iCloud Drive.
Command+Mission Control: To show the desktop.
Command key while double-clicking: To open a folder in a separate tab or window.
Command key while dragging to another volume: To move the dragged item to the other volume instead of copying it.
Shift+Command+H: To open the Home folder of the current user account.
Shift+Command+K: To open the Network window.
Shift+Command+N: To create a new folder.
Shift+Command+O: To open the Documents folder.
Shift+Command+P: To show/hide the Preview pane in Finder windows.
Shift+Command+C: To open the Computer window.
Shift+Command+D: To open the desktop folder.
Shift+Command+F: To open the Recents window.
Shift+Command+G: To open a Go to Folder window.
Shift+Command+T: To show/hide the tab bar in Finder windows.
Shift+Command+U: To open the Utilities folder.
Control+Down Arrow: To show all windows of the front app.
Control+Command+T: It lets you add the selected item to the sidebar (supports OS X Mavericks or later).
Control+Command+A: To make an alias of the selected item.
Control+Brightness Up or Control+Brightness Down: It allows you to change the brightness of your supported external display.
Control+Shift+Command+T: To add selected Finder item to the Dock (supports OS X Mavericks or later)
Option+Brightness Up: To open displays preferences. It’s worth noting that it works with either Brightness key.
Option+Command+P: To hide/show the path bar in Finder windows.
Option+Command+S: To hide/show the Sidebar in Finder windows.
Option+Command+N: To create a new Smart Folder.
Option+Command+Delete: To delete a file or folder.
Option+Command+T: To show/hide the toolbar when a single tab is open in the current Finder window.
Option+Command+V: To move the files in the Clipboard from their original location to the current location.
Option+Command+Y: To view a Quick Look slideshow of the selected files.
Option+Shift+Command+Delete: To empty the Trash without confirmation dialog.
Option+Shift+Brightness Up or Option+Shift+Brightness Down: To adjust display brightness in smaller steps. Notably, you can add the Control key to this shortcut to make the adjustment on your supported external display as well.
Option key while dragging: To copy the dragged item.
Option+Command while dragging: To make an alias of the dragged item.
Option+Click a disclosure triangle: To open all folders within the selected folder. Bear in mind that it works only in the list view.
Option+Mission Control: To bring up Mission Control preferences.
Option+Volume Up: To bring up the Sound preferences. Notably, this shortcut works with any of the volume keys.
Option+Keyboard Brightness Up: Access Keyboard preferences. You can use this shortcut with either Keyboard Brightness key.
Option+Shift+Keyboard Brightness Up or Option+Shift+Keyboard Brightness Down: It lets you adjust the keyboard brightness in smaller steps.
Option+Shift+Volume Up or Option+Shift+Volume Down: To adjust the sound volume in smaller steps.
Option key while double-clicking: To open the item in a separate window and close the original window.
Right Arrow: Open the selected folder. Do note that it works only in the list view.
Left Arrow: Close the selected folder. Keep in mind this shortcut works only in the list view.