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Keyboard shortcuts are synonymous with computers — just about every platform has them. Shortcuts can provide a lot of freedom to the user, and help create a more streamlined workflow for using applications, and your computer in general. Many new Mac users, however, can get a bit confused when they see the keyboard shortcut pattern is different from what they might be used to from Windows or other operating systems. In this article, we’ll walk you through these differences, and show you some top keyboard shortcuts that every new Mac user should know about.
1. Command + S
In most applications (including those made by Apple), the keyboard shortcut for saving files you’re working with in the application is by using Command + S. Using this keyboard shortcut will (with most apps) open a Save dialog window.
2. Command + X / Command + C / Command + V
Cutting, copying, and pasting are vital tools when writing, and on the Mac, these shortcuts are at your whim, ready to do your bidding.
To Cut text from a text field (or word processing app), first highlight the text using the mouse (or use the shift + arrow left/right keys to select text to left or right of the insertion point), and then press Command + X. This will remove the selected text, and copy it to the clipboard.
To Copy text from a text field (or word processing app), first highlight the text using the mouse (or use the shift + arrow/left right keys to select text to the left or right of the insertion point), and then press Command + C. This will keep the selected text, but make a copy in the clipboard.
To Paste the text that you have Cut or Copied, use the Command + V shortcut with your insertion point at the location where you want the clipboard contents to be pasted.
3. Command + Space
Introduced in OS X Tiger (version 10.4), Spotlight is the go-to tool for searching the contents of your Mac, launching applications, or even looking up the dictionary meaning of words.
By default, Spotlight is set to respond to the Command + Space keyboard shortcut. Press it, and you’ll get a blue Spotlight bar that appears in the top, right-hand corner of your screen. Begin typing, or use our handy Spotlight guide to learn all about what Spotlight can do.
4. Command + Shift + A/U/D/R/H/L
When in the Finder, these keyboard shortcuts will prove useful time and time again. You’ll never worry about clicking folders in the sidebar again.
To go to various folders on your Mac, you can use the following shortcuts:
– Command + Shift + A = Go to Applications folder
– Command + Shift + U = Go to Utilities folder (inside Applications folder)
– Command + Shift + D = Go to the Desktop folder
– Command + Shift + R = Open AirDrop (available in Lion and up)
– Command + Shift + H = Go to the user’s Home folder
– Command + Shift + L = Go to the user’s Downloads folder
The best part about these keyboard shortcuts is that they’ll work in any Finder window — this includes the Desktop, and Save dialogs that are available in most applications when using the Command + S command to save files.
5. Command + [ or ]
The Mac has a lot of browser-based forward and back buttons. From the actual browsers, like Safari, Chrome, or Firefox; to the Finder, we sure do like our navigation buttons!
In most apps that have navigational forward and back buttons, you can use Command + [ to go back, and Command + ] to go forward. So, if you’re in Safari, you can use these commands to go back or forward in your browsing hierarchy.
In some applications, you can also use the Command + left arrow, or Command + right arrow keyboard shortcut to navigate forward or back, as well.
6. Command + ↑ / ↓
If you are in a long document and need to jump to either the top or the bottom, many applications utilize either of the following shortcuts: the Command + up arrow (to go to the top of a document), or the Command + down arrow (to go to the bottom of a document).
7. Command + .
So, not sure how to spell the word that needs to come next in an email you’re writing (or a document you’re typing)? Sure, you could rely on spell checking after the fact, but you could also utilize a cool feature of OS X.
In most applications, you can simply type the first letter (or first letters) of a word, and then press Command + [period] to see a list of available words that match the letters you specified. Pretty nifty, huh?
8. Command + ,
Need to quickly access the Preferences in an application? Simply use the Command + [comma] shortcut in most apps. This will pop open the preferences, ready for you to change settings at your whim.
9. Command + Q / Command + H
Want to quit or hide an application while you work in another app? Simply navigate to the app you wish to quit and press Command + Q. The app will instantly quit (or prompt you to save any unsaved work). To hide the app, press Command + H. Hiding an app will leave the app opened, but not visible. To show the app again, click its icon in the Dock or use the Command + Tab app switcher to select it.
10. Control + Option + Command + Eject
Shutting down your Mac could be much quicker if you implement this keyboard shortcut into your workflow. This hidden keyboard shortcut has been present in almost all versions of OS X, and lets you power down your Mac with a single keystroke.
Simply press Control + Option + Command + Eject to begin the shutdown process. Opened applications that are not busy will be prompted to close, and then your Mac will shut down.
If you wish to sleep your Mac instead, use the Option + Command + Eject keyboard shortcut instead.
Cory Bohon is a freelance technology writer, indie Mac and iOS developer, and amateur photographer. Follow this article’s author on Twitter.
