How to Learn 10 Mac Shortcuts

Macs are renowned for being the easiest computers to operate. With these 10 shortcuts, you’ll be speeding through your work without interruption.

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You Will Need

  • Mac computer with OS X
  • Curiosity
  • Good memory
  • Optional: Online forums

Steps

  1. Step 1

    Go to Spotlight

    Go to the Spotlight function by pressing the Command key while you tap the Space bar. Click on Keyboard and Mouse in the drop-down list – the dialog box that pops up lists shortcuts.

  2. Step 2

    Hit Command and comma

    Hit the Command and the comma keys to open the Finder preferences.

  3. Find online forums to keep up with the latest tricks and shortcuts.

  4. Step 3

    Take a screen shot

    Take and save a picture of your screen by pressing Command, Shift and the number 3.

  5. Step 4

    Tile windows

    Press the F9 key to tile open windows on the desktop, and again to return them to their original positions.

  6. Step 5

    Use Command and Shift keys

    Press the Command and Shift keys with the Delete key to empty the trash

  7. Create your own shortcuts by going under the Menu to System Preferences to 'Keyboard and Mouse.' Click the plus at bottom left, choose Finder from the pop-up, and type your menu command, then the shortcut. Click 'Add.'

  8. Step 6

    Zoom in

    Zoom in by pressing Command, Option and the plus/equal sign.

  9. Step 7

    Reverse, using Option-Command

    Reverse this action, using the Option-Command combination with the minus sign.

  10. Step 8

    Highlight with Command A

    Highlight everything in a document using the Command and the 'A' key. You can do the same to highlight characters in a text field as well.

  11. Step 9

    Move with Control and arrows

    Move up, down, left, or right within a cell or a table by choosing the Control as you select the arrow for that direction.

  12. Step 10

    Close and restart

    Use Control-Command and Delete to close everything and restart the machine.

  13. Did you know? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, computer scientists held almost 30,000 jobs in 2008, but the field is expected to grow by 24 percent by 2018.

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