10+ Mac Keyboard Shortcuts You Need To Know

Every Mac user needs to get to grips wth these Mac keyboard shortcuts:

I have absolutely no doubt that the best way to get more productive and spend less time doing the things you need to use your Mac for is to learn these essential Mac keyboard shortcuts. These will get you zipping between applications, taking better control when in an application, and zapping between application windows. You won’t need to tap your cursor desperately at tiny portions of windows you hope belong to the app you want to be working with any more.

You’ll be less stressed, squint less often, have a better experience, and get things done faster and better than before.

Let’s get started

These shortcuts build on the essential ones you probably use already: Command-B for bold text, Command-I for italics, Command-U to underline or – (do you use it?) Command-Shift-D for double underlining!

They also build on the shortcut every Mac use really needs to know: Command-Space to invoke Spotlight search.

That one command is an absolute power tool for Mac users, as it lets you easily find files, applications, and open files and applications – or search the web, or even use some apps, all from the place you are.

So, with no further ado, here are some additional Mac keyboard shortcuts I think you’ll want to use.

Quick Look

You can take a quick look at a file by selecting it and pressing the Space bar, but did you know you can also get to this by selecting the file and then tapping Command – Y?

Preferences, Fast

Looking for the fastest way to open an application’s Preferences window? While in the app, press Command + Comma. Boom.

Switch Faster

Press Command + Tab to quickly access the AppSwitcher. You can then swiftly navigate to the application you want to open using the arrow keys, and even quit a selected application just by pressing Q.

Gather Together

The fastest way to collect files together to a new folder: Select the files you wish to collect and tap Command + Control + N.

Spelt Different?

Want to find your spelling errurs? Tap Command + Semicolon. (Works in Apple apps).

Lean Left

Tap Option-Delete (or Backspace on some keyboards) to get rid of the word to the left of the insertion point. (Or Control-H to delete the letter to the left).

Digging deep

Command-M will minimize the front app window to your dock.

Digging even deeper

Command-Option-M will mimimize all the windows belonging to your currently active app to your dock.

Get out the way

Desktop too busy? Just tap Command-Option and click anywhere on your deskop to minimize all the active windows.

Undo

To undo what you’ve just done choose Command-Z. Change your mind and redo what youve just undone by tapping Shift-Command-Z.

Dock control

Want a little more display space? Dock getting in the way? Use Option-Command-D to show or hide the Dock.

Want More?

If these have got you interested in keyboard shortcuts, then perhaps it’s time you read Apple’s complete list of them here. Now explore these other tips.

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