Master Your Mac with Essential Keyboard Shortcuts
Switching to macOS or looking to speed up your workflow? Learning keyboard shortcuts is the single most effective way to boost your productivity on a Mac. Unlike using a mouse or trackpad, keyboard shortcuts allow you to perform tasks instantly without lifting your hands from the keys.
Shortcut-View provides an interactive visual guide to help you memorize and understand these key combinations. From managing files in Finder to capturing screenshots and editing text, mastering these commands will transform you into a Mac power user.
Top 5 Must-Know Mac Shortcuts
💡 Tip: Spotlight isn't just for files; try typing '100 USD to KRW' or '55 * 12' for instant calculations and conversions.
💡 Tip: Unlike the red 'X' button which often just closes the window, this fully stops the app and frees up system memory.
💡 Tip: A small thumbnail will appear in the corner; click it to crop or annotate before it saves to your desktop.
How to Take Screenshots on Mac
macOS offers powerful built-in screen capture tools. Press to capture the entire screen immediately. If you need more precision, use to select a specific area. For advanced options like screen recording or window capture, opens the control panel.
Managing Files in Finder
Forget dragging and dropping. Use to copy and to move files (cut and paste). To rename a file, simply select it and press . Need to see what's inside a file? Hit for Quick Look preview without opening any app.
Force Quit and System Control
Is an app stuck? The Mac equivalent of Ctrl+Alt+Delete is . This opens the Force Quit menu. To lock your screen instantly before walking away, press .
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there no "Cut" (Ctrl+X) for files on Mac?
macOS handles file movement differently to prevent data loss. Instead of "cutting" a file, you "copy" it first (Cmd+C) and then "move" it to the destination using .
What is the Command (⌘) key?
The Command key (formerly Apple key) is the primary modifier key on Mac, similar to the Control key on Windows. It is used for most system shortcuts like Copy, Save, and Quit.
How do I switch between windows of the same app?
Command + Tab switches between different apps. To switch between windows within the same app (e.g., multiple Chrome windows), use .