By pressing certain key combinations, you can do things that normally need a mouse, trackpad, or other input device.
To use a keyboard shortcut, press and hold one or more modifier keys and then press the last key of the shortcut. For example, to use Command-C (copy), press and hold the Command key, then the C key, then release both keys.
Using keyboard shortcuts can dramatically improve your productivity.
| Press this key | To do this |
|---|---|
| Command-X | Cut the selected item and copy it to the Clipboard. |
| Command-C | Paste the contents of the Clipboard into the current document or app. This also works for files in the Finder. |
| Command-Z | Undo the previous command. You can then press Shift-Command-Z to Redo, reversing the undo command. In some apps, you can undo and redo multiple commands. |
| Command-A | Select All items. |
| Command-F | Find items in a document or open a Find window. |
| Command-G | Find Again: Find the next occurrence of the item previously found. To find the previous occurrence, press Shift-Command-G. |
| Command-H | Hide the windows of the front app. To view the front app but hide all other apps, press Option-Command-H. |
| Command-M | Minimize the front window to the Dock. To minimize all windows of the front app, press Option-Command-M. |
| Command-O | Open the selected item, or open a dialog to select a file to open. |
| Command-P | Print the current document. |
| Command-S | Save the current document. |
| Command-T | Open a new tab. |
| Command-W | Close the front window. To close all windows of the app, press Option-Command-W. |
| Option-Command-Esc | Force quit an app. |
| Command–Space bar | Show or hide the Spotlight search field. |
| Control–Command–Space bar | Show the Character Viewer, from which you can choose emoji and other symbols. |
| Control-Command-F | Use the app in full screen, if supported by the app. |
| Space bar | Use Quick Look to preview the selected item. |
| Command-Tab | Switch to the next most recently used app among your open apps. |
| Shift-Command-5 | In macOS Mojave or later, take a screenshot or make a screen recording. |
| Shift-Command-N | Create a new folder in the Finder. |
| Command-Comma (,) | Open preferences for the front app. |
