Keyboard shortcuts in macOS are not just about saving time; they’re about creating a more seamless and intuitive interaction with your computer. By integrating these shortcuts into your daily routine, you’ll find yourself navigating through tasks with greater speed and precision.

In this post, we’ll explore the most commonly used macOS shortcuts, as well as some lesser-known gems that can significantly elevate your computing experience. So, grab a cup of coffee, and let’s dive into the world of macOS shortcuts, where efficiency meets elegance.

Common Shortcuts: Cut, Copy, Paste, and More

Shortcut	Action
Command-X	Cut the selected item and copy it to the Clipboard
Command-C	Copy the selected item to the Clipboard. This also works for files in the Finder
Command-V	Paste the contents of the Clipboard into the current document or app. This also works for files in the Finder
Command-Z	Undo the previous command. You can then press Shift-Command-Z to Redo, reversing the undo command. In some apps, you can undo and redo multiple commands
Command-A	Select All items
Command-F	Find items in a document or open a Find window
Command-G	Find Again: Find the next occurrence of the item previously found. To find the previous occurrence, press Shift-Command-G
Command-H	Hide the windows of the front app. To view the front app but hide all other apps, press Option-Command-H
Command-M	Minimize the front window to the Dock. To minimize all windows of the front app, press Option-Command-M
Command-O	Open the selected item, or open a dialog to select a file to open
Command-P	Print the current document
Command-S	Save the current document
Command-T	Open a new tab
Command-W	Close the front window. To close all windows of the app, press Option-Command-W
Option-Command-Esc	Force quit an app
Command–Space bar	Show or hide the Spotlight search field. To perform a Spotlight search from a Finder window, press Command–Option–Space bar
Control–Command–Space bar	Show the Character Viewer, from which you can choose emoji and other symbols
Control-Command-F	Use the app in full screen, if supported by the app
Space bar	Use Quick Look to preview the selected item
Command-Tab	Switch to the next most recently used app among your open apps
Command–Grave accent (`)	Switch between the windows of the app you’re using
Shift-Command-5	In macOS Mojave or later, take a screenshot or make a screen recording. Or use Shift-Command-3 or Shift-Command-4 for screenshots
Shift-Command-N	Create a new folder in the Finder
Command-Comma (,)	Open preferences for the front app

Function Key Commands: Shortcuts to Save Time

Shortcut	Action
Fn+n	Notifications Center
Fn+c	Control Center
Fn+Shift+A	Launchpad
Fn+h	Reveal Desktop
Fn+f	Full-screen Window Toggle
Fn+q	Quick Note
Fn+e	Emoji and Special Character Viewer
Fn+d	Dictation
Fn+up/down	Page Up/Down
Fn+left/right	Home/End
Fn+delete	Forward Delete
Fn+a	Dock Focus

Finder Shortcuts: Quick File Management

Shortcut	Action
Command-D	Duplicate the selected files
Command-E	Eject the selected disk or volume
Command-F	Start a Spotlight search in the Finder window
Command-I	Show the Get Info window for a selected file
Command-R	(1) When an alias is selected in the Finder: show the original file for the selected alias. (2) In some apps, such as Calendar or Safari, refresh or reload the page. (3) In Software Update, check for software updates again
Shift-Command-C	Open the Computer window
Shift-Command-D	Open the desktop folder
Shift-Command-F	Open the Recents window, showing all of the files you viewed or changed recently
Shift-Command-G	Open a Go to Folder window
Shift-Command-H	Open the Home folder of the current macOS user account
Shift-Command-I	Open iCloud Drive
Shift-Command-K	Open the Network window
Option-Command-L	Open the Downloads folder
Shift-Command-N	Create a new folder
Shift-Command-O	Open the Documents folder
Shift-Command-P	Show or hide the Preview pane in Finder windows
Shift-Command-R	Open the AirDrop window
Shift-Command-T	Show or hide the tab bar in Finder windows
Control-Shift-Command-T	Add selected Finder item to the Dock (OS X Mavericks or later)
Shift-Command-U	Open the Utilities folder
Option-Command-D	Show or hide the Dock
Control-Command-T	Add the selected item to the sidebar (OS X Mavericks or later)
Option-Command-P	Hide or show the path bar in Finder windows
Option-Command-S	Hide or show the Sidebar in Finder windows
Command–Slash (/)	Hide or show the status bar in Finder windows
Command-J	Show View Options
Command-K	Open the Connect to Server window
Control-Command-A	Make an alias of the selected item
Command-N	Open a new Finder window
Option-Command-N	Create a new Smart Folder
Command-T	Show or hide the tab bar when a single tab is open in the current Finder window
Option-Command-T	Show or hide the toolbar when a single tab is open in the current Finder window
Option-Command-V	Move the files in the Clipboard from their original location to the current location
Command-Y	Use Quick Look to preview the selected files
Option-Command-Y	View a Quick Look slideshow of the selected files
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
Command-4	View the items in a Finder window in a gallery
Command–Left Bracket ([)	Go to the previous folder
Command–Right Bracket (])	Go to the next folder
Command–Up Arrow	Open the folder that contains the current folder
Command–Control–Up Arrow	Open the folder that contains the current folder in a new window
Command–Down Arrow	Open the selected item
Right Arrow	Open the selected folder (list view only)
Left Arrow	Close the selected folder (list view only)
Command-Delete	Move the selected item to the Trash
Shift-Command-Delete	Empty the Trash
Option-Shift-Command-Delete	Empty the Trash without confirmation dialog
Command–Brightness Down	Turn video mirroring on or off when your Mac is connected to more than one display
Option–Brightness Up	Open Displays preferences
Control–Brightness Up or Control–Brightness Down	Change the brightness of your external display, if supported by your display
Option–Shift–Brightness Up or Option–Shift–Brightness Down	Adjust the display brightness in smaller steps
Option–Mission Control	Open Mission Control preferences
Command–Mission Control	Show the desktop
Control–Down Arrow	Show all windows of the front app
Option–Volume Up	Open Sound preferences
Option–Shift–Volume Up or Option–Shift–Volume Down	Adjust the sound volume in smaller steps
Option–Keyboard Brightness Up	Open Keyboard preferences
Option–Shift–Keyboard Brightness Up or Option–Shift–Keyboard Brightness Down	Adjust the keyboard brightness in smaller steps
Option key while double-clicking	Open the item in a separate window, then close the original window
Command key while double-clicking	Open a folder in a separate tab or window
Command key while dragging to another volume	Move the dragged item to the other volume, instead of copying it
Option key while dragging	Copy the dragged item
Option-Command while dragging	Make an alias of the dragged item
Option-click a disclosure triangle	Open all folders within the selected folder (list view only)
Command-click a window title	See the folders that contain the current folder