Keyboard shortcuts

ShortcutDescription
Command-XCut the selection
Command-CCopy the selection
Command-VPaste
Command-ZUndo
Command-ASelect All items.
Command-FFind
Command-GFind Again: Find the next occurrenceof the item previously found.
Command-HHide
Command-MMinimize the front window to the Dock.
Command-NNew: Open an new document or window.
Command-OOpen the selected item
Command-PPrint
Command-SSave
Command-WClose the front window
Command-QQuit the application
Option-Command-EscForce Quit
Command-SpacebarSpotlight
Space barQuick Look
Command-TabSwitch apps
Shift-Command-Tilde(~)Switch windows
Shift-Command-3Take a screenshot of the entire screen.
Shift-Command-4Take a screenshot of the selection.
Command-Comma(,)Open preferences for the front app.
Command-BBold on or off
Command-IItalics on or off.
Command-UUnderline on or off.
Command-TShow or hide the Fonts window.
Command-DSelect the Desktop folder
Control-Command-DDefinition of the selected word.
Shift-Command-Colon(:)Spelling and Grammar window.
Command-Semicolon(;)Find misspelled words in the document.
Option-DeleteDelete the word to the left
Control-HDelete the character to the left
Control-DDelete the character to the right
Fn-DeleteSame as Control-D.
Control-KDelete the text until the end of the line or paragraph.
Fn-Up ArrowPage Up: Scroll up one page.
Fn-Down ArrowPage Down: Scroll down one page.
Fn-Left ArrowHome: Scroll to the beginning of a document.
Fn-Right ArrowEnd: Scroll to the end of a document.
Command-Up ArrowMove the insertion point to the beginning of the document.
Command-Down ArrowMove the insertion point to the end of the document.
Command-Left ArrowMove the insertion point to the beginning of the current line.
Command-RightArrowMove the insertion point to the end of the current line.
Option-Left ArrowMove the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word.
Option-Right ArrowMove the insertion point to the end of the next word.
Shift-Command-UpArrowSelect the text between the insertion point and the beginning of the document.
Shift-Command-DownArrowSelect the text between the insertion point and the end of the document.
Shift-Command-LeftArrowSelect the text between the insertion point and the beginning of the current line.
Shift-Command-RightArrowSelect the text between the insertion point and the end of the current line.
Shift-Up ArrowExtend text selection to the nearest character at the same horizontal location on the line above.
Shift-Down ArrowExtend text selection to the nearest character at the same horizontal location on the line below.
Shift-Left ArrowExtend text selection one character to the left.
Shift-Right ArrowExtend text selection one character to the right.
Control-AMove to the beginning of the line or paragraph.
Control-EMove to the end of a line or paragraph.
Control-FMove one character forward.
Control-BMove one character backward.
Control-LCenter the cursor or selection in the visible area.
Control-PMove up one line.
Control-NMove down one line.
Control-OInsert a new line after the insertion point.
Control-TSwap the character behind the insertion point with the character in front of the insertion point.
Command-LeftCurlyBracket({)Left align.
Command-RightCurlyBracket(})Right align.
Shift-Command-Verticalbar(|)Center align.
Option-Command-FGo to the search field.
Option-Command-TShow or hide a toolbar in the app.
Option-Command-CCopy Style
Option-Command-VPaste Style
Option-Command-IShow or hide the inspector window.
Shift-Command-Minussign(-)Decrease the size of the selected item.
Shift-Command-Plussign(+)Increase the size of the selected item. Command-Equal sign (=) performs the same function.
Shift-Command-?Open the Help menu.
Command-DDuplicate the selected files.
Command-EEject the selected disk or volume.
Command-FStart a Spotlight search in the Finder window.
Command-IShow the Get Info window for a selected file.
Shift-Command-COpen the Computer window.
Shift-Command-DOpen the desktop folder.
Shift-Command-FOpen the All My Files window.
Shift-Command-GOpen a Go to Folder window.
Shift-Command-HOpen the Home folder of the current macOS user account.
Shift-Command-IOpeniCloud Drive.
Shift-Command-KOpen the Network window.
Option-Command-LOpen the Downloads folder.
Shift-Command-OOpen the Documents folder.
Shift-Command-ROpen the AirDrop window.
Shift-Command-TAdd selected Finder item to the Dock (OS X Mountain Lion or earlier)
Control-Shift-Command-TAdd selected Finder item to the Dock (OS X Mavericks or later)
Shift-Command-UOpen the Utilities folder.
Option-Command-DShow or hide theDock. This often works even when you're not in the Finder.
Control-Command-TAdd the selected item to the sidebar (OS X Mavericks or later).
Option-Command-PHide or show the path barin Finder windows.
Option-Command-SHide or show the Sidebar in Finder windows.
Command-Slash(/)Hide or show the status bar in Finder windows.
Command-JShow View Options.
Command-KOpen the Connect to Server window.
Command-LMake an alias of the selected item.
Command-NOpen a new Finder window.
Shift-Command-NCreate a new folder.
Option-Command-NCreate a new Smart Folder.
Command-RShow the original file for the selected alias.
Command-TShow or hide the tab bar when a single tab is open in the current Finder window.
Shift-Command-TShow or hide a Finder tab.
Option-Command-TShow or hide the toolbar when a single tab is open in the current Finder window.
Option-Command-VMove: Move the files in the Clipboard from their original location to the current location.
Option-Command-YView aQuick Lookslideshow of the selected files.
Command-YUse Quick Look to preview the selected files.
Command-1View the items in the Finder window as icons.
Command-2View the items in a Finder window as a list.
Command-3View the items in a Finder window in columns.
Command-4View the items in a Finder window with Cover Flow.
Command-LeftBracket([)Go to the previous folder.
Command-RightBracket(])Go to the next folder.
Command-Up ArrowOpen the folder that contains the current folder.
Command-Control-UpArrowOpen the folder that contains the current folder in a new window.
Command-Down ArrowOpen the selected item.
Command-MissionControlShow the desktop. This works even when you're not in the Finder.
Command-BrightnessUpTurnTarget Display Modeon or off.
Command-BrightnessDownTurn display mirroring on or off when your Mac is connected to more than one display.
Right ArrowOpen the selected folder. This works only when in list view.
Left ArrowClose the selected folder. This works only when in list view.
Option-double-clickOpen a folder in a separate window and close the current window.
Command-double-clickOpen a folder in a separate tab or window.
Command-DeleteMove the selected item to the Trash.
Shift-Command-DeleteEmpty the Trash.
Option-Shift-Command-DeleteEmpty the Trash without confirmation dialog.
Command-YUse Quick Look to preview the files.
Option-BrightnessUpOpen Displays preferences. This works with either Brightness key.
Option-Mission ControlOpen Mission Control preferences.
Option-Volume UpOpen Sound preferences. This works with any of the volume keys.
Command key while draggingMove the dragged item to another volume or location. The pointer changes while you drag the item.
Option key while draggingCopy the dragged item. The pointer changes while you drag the item.
Option-Command while draggingMake an alias of the dragged item. The pointer changes while you drag the item.
Option-click a disclosure triangleOpen all folders within the selected folder. This works only when in list view.
Command-click a window titleSee the folders that contain the current folder.

24 thoughts on “Keyboard shortcuts

  1. dirk says:

    thanks for this very useful list! do you know if there is also a shortcut for the green »adjust«-button in the top left corner of windows? like cmd-w for »close« and cmd-m for »minimize«.

  2. Jon says:

    Does anyone know how to right click a MacBook Pro, running XP pro, using boot camp? I have tried every thing I can think of and no luck so far. The above list is awesome!

  3. macboy says:

    hey this is a neat site!

    another tip i figured out that u need to enable is scrolling
    if you enable two fingered scrolling in the system prefrences its handy indeed!

    mac4life

  4. dirk says:

    “dirk – Try pressing Left-Alt + Space.. should bring up a little menu. You can then to:
    Left-alt + Space > n = minimize.”
    ···> could you explain that, please? i can’t reproduce any reaction … thx.

  5. jeff_goob says:

    These are all great, but how do you turn them off? Sometimes I want shift-F9 to be just that, like when I’m in a terminal emulator.
    I found the keyboard shortcuts in preferences so I could turn off F9, 10 etc, but not shift-F9 etc.
    Anybody help me here?
    Mac OS x 10.4.9, Intel iMac
    TIA

  6. Tom says:

    Help Please,
    I’m trying to eject a cd from 15″ book pro that had some problems completing
    a firm were upgrade. The machine powers up, does not boot has a cd in it
    I’m trying for a firmwere upgrade – have a cd and an external cd –
    Have tried the cmd opt shift delete – any suggestions ?
    Tom

  7. khanh says:

    Hey guy ,thank a lot for posted them. It’s very usefull.
    @Dee : After that , you going to repair your computer 🙂

  8. test says:

    I savour, result in I discovered just what I used to be looking for.
    You’ve ended my four day long hunt! God Bless
    you man. Have a great day. Bye

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