The basics
- Ctrl + A: Select all items in a window.
- Ctrl + C or Ctrl + Insert: Copy selected or highlighted item (e.g. text, images and so on).
- Ctrl + V or Shift + Insert: Paste selected or highlighted item.
- Ctrl + X: Cut selected or highlighted item.
- Ctrl + Z: Undo previous action.
- Ctrl + Y: Redo action.
Command key. Alternatively referred to as the beanie key, cloverleaf key, cmd key, open Apple key, or command, the command key is a key created by Susan Kare that is found on all Apple keyboards. The picture is an example of the command key looks on the Apple keyboard next to the control and option keys.
The F5 key is used as refresh or reload in most Windows web browsers, so when Windows users switch to Mac they might be wondering what the equivalent refresh button is on the Mac, since hitting F5 on the Mac either usually adjusts keyboard backlighting or does nothing at all.
Control key (Ctrl)
You use the Control key in the same way that you use the Shift key: Keeping it pressed down while pressing another character. For example, in many word processing programs, CTRL + C will copy the highlighted text or object. On Macintoshes, the Control key is called an Apple key or Command key.There are a few other Apple specific keys (depending on your keyboard): F1/F2: Brightness Up and Down. F3: Mission Control (for an overview of all running applications, grouping windows from the same application, and your Spaces) F4: A shortcut to all the apps you have on your Mac.
Alternatively referred to as the beanie key, cloverleaf key, cmd key, open Apple key, or command, the command key is a key created by Susan Kare that is found on all Apple keyboards. The picture is an example of the command key looks on the Apple keyboard next to the control and option keys.
Mac OS X Finder Keyboard Shortcuts
| Key | Function |
|---|
| Command+Shift+U | Takes you to your Utilities folder |
| Command+Shift+Del | Deletes the contents of the Trash |
| Command+Option+H | Hides all windows except the Finder's window(s) |
| Command+Option+N | Creates a new Smart Folder |
No need to purchase an apple keyboard. On a generic USB keyboard the Alt key works as Option, and the Windows key works as Command. The positions of those two keys are generally reversed from a mac keyboard, so some people swap the function of those keys in the OSX control panel.
Command-1: View the items in the Finder window as icons. Command-2: View the items in a Finder window as a list. Command-3: View the items in a Finder window in columns.
You can type Space or Command + Y to open a window that allows you to view or listen to a file (but not edit it, of course). Adding Option to the previous shortcut will allow you to quickly view a whole bunch of files at once, like a slideshow.
Toggle the Fn Lock on and the keys will function as if you're holding down the Fn key all the time, just as the Caps Lock key makes your letter keys function as if you're holding down the Shift key all the time. Depending on your keyboard, you may actually have a dedicated “Fn Lock” key.
How to Ctrl Alt Delete on Mac. Turns out they are there—three magic buttons just like Windows. Command + Option (Alt) + Esc. Pressing these three buttons simultaneously opens the “Force Quit Applications” window.
Android's keyboard works similarly. Long-press keys on the keyboard to access related characters and symbols. For example, long-press the e to find the accented e characters. Long-press other symbols — like the currency symbol — to access additional related symbols.
It's really simple: find the function key (it is abbreviated as fn) on the bottom left side of the keyboard. Hold down function and hit the delete key (fn+delete).
Shut down or Restart with keyboard shortcut
- Power button:
- Command + Control + Power Button: Press this keyboard shortcut to force restart your Mac.
- Command Control + Media Eject button: Press this combination to quit all apps and restart the Mac.
The hash key or (also known as the number sign or the sharp or pound sign) is a common symbol, yet a number of international Mac keyboards omit this key. Simply pressing alt and 3 at the same time will insert a # hash symbol into your text in any application.
One way to right click on a Mac is to press the Ctrl (or Control) key when you tap the mouse button, or the trackpad. Don't confuse the Ctrl key with the Alt (or Option) key. The Ctrl key on a Mac is not the one next to the space bar, it's at the far end of the keyboard, on either the right or left side.
Mac users can configure the top row of keys to work as standard function keys without holding the Fn key. Select “System Preferences” from the Apple menu and click “Keyboard.” Choose “Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys” on the Keyboard tab. If you are a Windows user, look for an F Lock key.
The Macintosh offers a key labeled Control (or, on laptops, “ctrl”), but it isn't the equivalent of the PC's Ctrl key. The Mac's Control key is primarily for helping you “right-click” things, as described earlier. Instead, the Macintosh equivalent of the Windows Ctrl key is the ? key. It's right next to the space bar.
To disable it, we'd hold Fn and press Esc again. It functions as a toggle just like Caps Lock does. Some keyboards may use other combinations for Fn Lock. For example, on Microsoft's Surface keyboards, you can toggle Fn Lock by holding the Fn Key and pressing Caps Lock.
From the Command Key menu, select Control. This lets Mac OS X know that you'll be using the control key as the primary modifier. From the Control Key menu, select Command. This lets Mac OS X know that you'll be using the command key as the secondary modifier.
