How to use keyboard shortcuts on Mac

A hotkey is a combination of keys that a computer user presses on the keyboard. With this he or she gives the computer a command. Something that normally involves a menu or the mouse. Combine two or three keys to perform an action. For example, computer users can copy or paste text in an instant. But also opening a program, selecting a document and using parts of macOS is easy with keyboard shortcuts.

Working with keyboard shortcuts has many advantages, for example:

• Many keyboard shortcuts work in multiple programs.
• Shortcuts reduce mouse use, which is good for the hands, arms and wrists.
• Shortcut keys make actions faster. For example, do not copy a text via the menu, but with the shortcut Cmd+C.

The downside of keyboard shortcuts: you have to memorize them. But the more you use a combination, the easier it becomes to use that shortcut without thinking.

Shortcut keys are very easy to use. We’ll explain it using the keyboard shortcut for pasting: Cmd+C.

• Press and hold the Cmd key on the keyboard.
• Then press the letter C with another finger (briefly).
• Once the function has been activated or the action has been performed, you can release the keys.

The plus sign in this example is just there for clarity, you don’t need to press the +.

The video below shows how it works:

There are many keyboard shortcuts and they can be difficult to remember. But at some point you get favorites and don’t have to think about it anymore. Start with some common keyboard shortcuts, such as:

• Cmd+S: save file in the meantime.
• Cmd+A: Select all items.
• Cmd+C: Copy selected item.
• Cmd+X: Cut selected item.
• Cmd+V: Paste selected item.
• Cmd+Z: Undo action.

By the way, the keyboard shortcuts for Mac and Windows are almost the same, only on Windows the Ctrl key is used instead of the Cmd key.

There are many more useful keyboard shortcuts:

• Cmd+N: Open a new window in a program (also works in the browser).
• Cmd+W: Close a program window.
• Cmd+0: Press the Cmd key and the Plus key simultaneously (briefly) to zoom in on a page. Press Cmd+0 (the number zero) simultaneously to return to normal display.
• Cmd+Tab: quickly switch between the programs that are open. Hold down the Cmd key and short press Tab to jump to the next program. Release the buttons when the correct program is selected.
• Taking a screenshot works slightly differently on a Mac than it does on Windows. Read how in the tip ‘Take screenshot on Mac‘.

SeniorWeb has made handy lists with keys from frequently used programs. These are bundled in PDF documents. You can open them below and possibly save them on your computer:

1. Keyboard Shortcuts Apple Mac – Mac OS X & Finder
2. Internet browser shortcuts – IE 8, 9, 10, Chrome and Firefox

Shortcut keys can be used on computers and laptops. On tablets, like the iPad, they don’t work. Those devices are not designed to be used with a keyboard. Operation is by touch, not by key combinations. Sometimes the keyboard shortcuts work if you connect a keyboard to the tablet.