Keyboard Shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts let you perform actions by pressing a combination of keys together. Keyboard shortcuts are a powerful way to speed up your work.
To use a shortcut, press one or more modifier keys (such as the Command key, or ⌘) and one or more character keys (such as Q). For example, to copy a file, press Command (⌘)-C. (For some shortcuts, you press a modifier key while doing another action, like dragging. For example, to copy an item, you can press Option while dragging the item.)
The Mac OS includes dozens of keyboard shortcuts, and your apps have shortcuts, too. Here are some frequently used Mac OS keyboard shortcuts:
You can find more information about keyboard shortcuts in several places.
To see comprehensive lists of shortcuts: Click the links below. To find shortcuts for different apps, just look in the Help menu while you’re using the app.
Shortcuts for navigating the computer
Shortcuts for working with applications
Shortcuts for opening and closing folders
Shortcuts for the Dock
Shortcuts for Mission Control and Exposé
Change your shortcuts: Some keyboard shortcuts—like Command (⌘)-C—are reserved for use by your Mac, and you can’t change them. But you can change many keyboard shortcuts to suit your work preferences. You can also switch the actions performed by modifier keys—for example, you can use the Control key instead of the Option key in shortcuts, and vice versa.
Create keyboard shortcuts for applications
Change modifier keys
To use a shortcut, press one or more modifier keys (such as the Command key, or ⌘) and one or more character keys (such as Q). For example, to copy a file, press Command (⌘)-C. (For some shortcuts, you press a modifier key while doing another action, like dragging. For example, to copy an item, you can press Option while dragging the item.)
The Mac OS includes dozens of keyboard shortcuts, and your apps have shortcuts, too. Here are some frequently used Mac OS keyboard shortcuts:
You can find more information about keyboard shortcuts in several places.
To see comprehensive lists of shortcuts: Click the links below. To find shortcuts for different apps, just look in the Help menu while you’re using the app.
Shortcuts for navigating the computer
Shortcuts for working with applications
Shortcuts for opening and closing folders
Shortcuts for the Dock
Shortcuts for Mission Control and Exposé
Change your shortcuts: Some keyboard shortcuts—like Command (⌘)-C—are reserved for use by your Mac, and you can’t change them. But you can change many keyboard shortcuts to suit your work preferences. You can also switch the actions performed by modifier keys—for example, you can use the Control key instead of the Option key in shortcuts, and vice versa.
Create keyboard shortcuts for applications
Change modifier keys