Keyboard shortcuts can not only save a lot of time and keep the user from reaching for the mouse every few seconds, but some of their functions can only be accessed using the keyboard. First are some basic shortcuts using the command key. This may be labeled “command” or may only show the apple symbol, but it is located next to the “option” key on the bottom left of the keyboard.
Basic Keyboard Shortcuts using Command
Command + C Copy
Command + V Paste
Command + X Cut
Command + A Select all
Command + N New window or document
Command + M Minimize current window
Command + O Open
Command + H Hide
Command + F Find
Command + P Print
Command + Q Quit application
Command + S Save
Command + Z Undo
Command + ? Help
Some keyboard shortcuts may be particularly confusing to Windows users. For example, there is no “print screen” button to take a screen shot. There is no Ctrl + Alt + Delete, and pressing the “delete” key when a file is highlighted in Finder does not send the file to the trash. Here are some of the most common shortcuts in that category.
Keyboard Shortcuts Confusing to Windows Users
Command + Shift + 3 Takes a screenshot and saves as a file
Command + Ctrl + Shift + 3 Takes a screenshot and saves to the clipboard
Command + Shift + 4 Lets the user select an area of the screen to screenshot
Command + Option + Esc Forces an application to quit
Command + Delete Sends selected file to the trash
The final list of shortcuts presented here perform common (and useful) tasks that are specific to Mac, such as Spotlight and Exposé shortcuts.
Useful Mac Shortcuts
Command + Space Opens Spotlight search bar
Command + Option + Del Empties trash
Command + Tab Click quickly to cycle to most recent application used
Command + Tab + Arrows Hold down Command to cycle through applications
F8 Show Spaces (Leopard only)
Ctrl + Number keys Go directly to a Space (Leopard only)
F9 or F3 (new keyboards) Show all windows
Note that you can customize shortcuts – for example, in the Exposé & Spaces section of System Preferences, you can change the keyboard shortcuts you prefer to use to cycle between Spaces or to show all windows. The general shortcuts panel is located in the Keyboard & Mouse section under the Keyboard Shortcuts tab. You can disable a listed shortcut, add shortcuts, or change the keystroke combination for a particular shortcut. Just double click the shortcut you want and hold down the new key combination to change it.
It is also possible to change the functions of the modifier keys like command and option - for example, if you are a Windows user and feel more comfortable using Control to perform functions like copy and paste, you can switch the functions of the Command and Control keys. Just go to the Keyboard & Mouse section of System Preferences, then click the Keyboard tab and the "modfier keys..." button to make your selections.
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