The most important keyboard shortcuts for macos / Apple

100 Essential Keyboard Shortcuts for macos

With these 100 Mac keyboard shortcuts, you can control apps, windows, files, text, and screen captures directly from your keyboard. The shortcuts are grouped by function, with explanations of how they work and the situations in which you’d use them.

How to Use This Reference Guide

This overview is intended for a MacBook, iMac, or other Mac running macos. General commands work in many apps; use Finder commands when managing files. For text editing, the cursor must be in a suitable text field or document.

You’ll come across the following key names and symbols:

• Command (⌘): the key next to the spacebar, often abbreviated as Cmd.
• Option (⌥): also called Alt on some keyboards.
• Control (⌃): a separate key; not the same as Command.
• Shift (⇧): the key you also use to type uppercase letters.
• Fn or Globe: a key for additional keyboard functions.
• Delete (⌫): On many Apple keyboards, this key deletes the character to the left of the cursor.

A plus sign means you need to combine the keys. For example, hold down Command, briefly press C, and then release both keys. You do not need to press the plus sign itself.

Functionality may vary depending on the app, macos version, keyboard layout, and personal settings. If in doubt, check the shortcut combination listed next to the command in the app menu.

1–10. Copy, Paste, Undo, and Search

These basic combinations are widely applicable. First, select the content you want to edit. For example, where your cursor is positioned determines whether you select all text in a single text box or an entire document.

No.	Shortcut	What does this combination offer?
1	Command + C	Copies the selected text or portions to the clipboard. Also works for files in Finder. The genuine remains in its genuine location.
2	Command + V	Pastes the clipboard contents into the active location. In Finder, this allows you to copy previously copied files to the open destination folder.
3	Command + X	Cuts selected text or other supported content to move it. For files in Finder, use a different method; see shortcut 55.
4	Command + Z	Undoes a previous action if the app supports it. Check the result: not every command can be undone.
5	Shift + Command + Z	Redoes an undone action. Useful when you’ve gone back one step too far in your document using the Undo feature.
6	Command + A	Selects all content within the active section. In a text box, this refers to the text; in Finder, it refers to the items in the current view.
7	Command + F	Opens the search function of the active app. In a document, you typically search for text; in Finder, you start a search for files.
8	Command + G	In related apps, it takes you to the next match for your search query. This means you don’t have to re-enter the same search term.
9	Shift + Command + G	In text apps, this goes to the previous search result. In Finder, the same combination has a different function: there, it opens the “Go to Folder” window.
10	Command + S	Save the current document in apps using a save command. When creating a brand new file, a window may first appear asking for the name and storage location.

11–20. Opening, Saving, and Formatting Documents

The following combinations are common in many document apps. The available commands may vary by app. You can use formatting combinations in an editor that supports, for example, bold or italic text.

No.	Shortcut	What does this combination offer?
11	Command + O	Opens a selected item or a window where you can choose a file. In Finder, this allows you to open the selected file or folder.
12	Command + N	Creates a brand new document or window in many apps. In Finder, this combination opens a brand new Finder window, not a brand new folder.
13	Command + P	Opens the print dialog box for the current content. There, you can check the available printer and page options before actually starting the print job.
14	Command + W	Close the current window or tab. The app itself can continue running, even after you close the last document window.
15	Option + Command + W	Close the windows of the active app if supported. The application may first ask what to do with unsaved changes.
16	Command + Q	Closes the active app. This goes beyond simply closing a window; you may first see a prompt asking about unsaved documents.
17	Command + comma	Opens the settings or preferences of the active app. This means you won’t automatically be taken to your Mac’s general Platform Preferences.
18	Command + B	Enables or disables bold text in supported text editors. First select a section of text or set the formatting for what you type next.
19	Command + I	Toggles italic text on or off in text editors. In Finder, the same combination opens “Get Info” for the selected file or folder.
20	Command + U	Turns underlining on or off in apps with text formatting. This command does not function as a general formatting feature in every app or input field.

21–30. Managing apps and windows

On a Mac, an app and its windows are two different things. You can minimize or close a window while the app remains active. The combinations below will help you choose between them intentionally.

No.	Shortcut	What does this combination offer?
21	Command + Tab	Switch between open apps. Hold down Command and press Tab repeatedly; release Command when the desired app is selected.
22	Shift + Command + Tab	Navigate the app browser in the opposite direction. This is handy if you’ve just passed the app you’re looking for and don’t want to go all the way back.
23	Command + grave accent (`)	Switches between windows of the same app. The corresponding key may vary depending on your keyboard layout; check your keyboard settings if necessary.
24	Shift + Command + grave accent (`)	Activates the previous window of the same app. This is the opposite direction of the window switch in combination 23.
25	Command + H	Hides the windows of the active app. The app remains open; you can bring it back to the foreground later, for example, using the app switcher.
26	Option + Command + H	Hides the other apps and keeps the active app visible. Use this when you want a clearer overview temporarily without closing other programs.
27	Command + M	Minimizes the front window to the Dock. This does not close the window, and its contents remain accessible within the app.
28	Option + Command + M	Minimizes all windows of the active app. Handy when a single application has multiple documents open that you want to temporarily hide from view.
29	Control + Command + F	Turn full-screen mode on or off in apps that support it. The app will then use its own full-screen workspace.
30	Option + Command + Esc	Opens the "Force Quit" window for unresponsive apps. Select an app to force quit it; unsaved work may be lost.

31–40. Search, Workspaces, and Platform Functions

These combinations are designed for the Mac environment. Mission Control displays your windows and workspaces; Spaces are separate desktops. Changes to platform settings may affect the functionality described above.

No.	Shortcut	What does this combination offer?
31	Command + Spacebar	Opens or closes Spotlight. Type an app name, file name, or search term, and preview the desired result before opening it.
32	Option + Command + Spacebar	Opens a Finder search window. This is handy when you want to search for files and then continue working with the items you found in Finder.
33	Control + Up Arrow	Opens Mission Control. You’ll see an overview of available windows and can choose between desktops and full-screen apps at the top.
34	Control + Down Arrow	Displays the windows of the active app via App Exposé. This is useful when a single application has multiple documents open and you’re looking for a specific window.
35	Control + Left Arrow	Switches to the adjacent Space on the left. This toggles between workspaces and does not automatically move the active window to that other workspace.
36	Control + Right Arrow	Switches to the adjacent Space on the right, when available. Full-screen apps can also be part of this series of workspaces.
37	Control + Command + Q	Locks the screen. Your apps remain open; after unlocking, you can resume the session that was still active.
38	Shift + Command + Q	Start the process of signing out of your macos account, and you’ll be asked to confirm. Signing out is different from simply locking the screen.
39	Option + Command + D	Toggles the automatic hiding of the Dock. This allows the Dock to free up more screen space when you’re not using it.
40	Control + Command + Spacebar	Opens the Character Map for emojis and symbols. First, select an appropriate text field if you want to insert a selected character immediately.

41–50. Screenshots and Accessibility

By default, screenshots are often saved to the desktop, but the destination can be customized. The zoom shortcuts work after you’ve enabled “Use keyboard shortcuts for zooming” in Accessibility.

No.	Shortcut	What does this combination offer?
41	Shift + Command + 3	Takes a screenshot of the entire screen. If you have multiple monitors, separate images may be created; the files will be saved to your specified destination.
42	Shift + Command + 4	Drag to select a screen area. After pressing the key combination, press the spacebar to capture a window instead.
43	Shift + Command + 5	Starting with macos Mojave, open the Screenshot panel. There, you can choose options such as a screenshot, screen recording, recording area, timer, and available storage options.
44	Control + Shift + Command + 3	Copies a screenshot of the entire screen to the clipboard. You can then paste the image into any app that supports images.
45	Control + Shift + Command + 4	Capture a portion of your screen and save it to the clipboard. This is handy for pasting an error message directly into a message or document.
46	Option + Command + F5	Opens Quick Accessibility Options. There, you can access the available accessibility tools configured for this panel; on some keyboards, the Fn key is required.
47	Command + F5	Turns VoiceOver on or off on supported keyboards. VoiceOver is the built-in screen reader; on some laptops, you’ll also need to press the Fn key.
48	Option + Command + 8	Switches between zoomed and normal screen views when keyboard zoom is enabled. This refers to macos screen magnification, not just the text size of a single document.
49	Option + Command + plus sign	Zoom in further using the Zoom accessibility feature. On some keyboards, you’ll need to press the Shift key to access the plus sign.
50	Option + Command + minus sign	Zoom out using the Zoom accessibility feature. Use this to view details of your workspace after you’ve zoomed in on a portion of the screen.

51–60. Managing Files and Folders in Finder

Activate Finder before using these commands. Duplicating, moving, or deleting a file to the Trash yields different results each time. Therefore, first check which items are selected.

No.	Shortcut	What does this combination offer?
51	Shift + Command + N	Creates a brand new, empty folder in the current Finder location. Then type the desired name and confirm to save the folder with a recognizable name.
52	Control + Command + N	Creates a brand new folder containing the selected items. Handy for grouping individual files together without having to drag and drop them separately.
53	Command + D	Duplicate selected files or folders in Finder. A separate copy is created; this is different from simply creating a link to the genuine.
54	Command + E	Ejects the selected disk or volume. Use this, for example, with external storage; the command does not delete the stored files.
55	Option + Command + V	Moves files that you previously copied using Command + C to the current folder. In some text apps, the same combination means “Paste Style.”
56	Command + Y	Opens Quick View for selected files. You can view a supported file type without first fully opening the corresponding app.
57	Command + K	Opens "Connect to Server" in Finder. There, you can enter a server address; access depends on your network connection, server availability, and any required login credentials.
58	Command + Delete	Moves selected items to the Recycle Bin when the location supports it. Check your selection before deleting multiple files at once.
59	Shift + Command + Delete	Start emptying the Recycle Bin. First, check if there are any files in there that you want to keep; emptying the Recycle Bin is not the same as simply moving files.
60	Shift + Command + period	Shows or hides hidden files in Finder. This changes their visibility; it does not automatically make platform components eligible for modification or deletion.

61–70. Open frequently used locations in Finder

These combinations open specific pages or overviews. They’re handy when you don’t want to browse through the navigation column first. The content displayed depends on your account and settings.

No.	Shortcut	What does this combination offer?
61	Shift + Command + C	Opens the "Computer" overview in Finder. Here you’ll see available storage volumes and other items that Finder displays at this level.
62	Shift + Command + D	Opens the Desktop folder. This is handy for finding documents saved there without first having to close all visible app windows.
63	Shift + Command + F	Opens "Recent" in Finder. This view collects recent files; it is not a separate folder where those files are physically stored.
64	Shift + Command + G	The Finder function for the 9-key combination is “Go to Folder.” Enter a known folder path to open that location directly.
65	Shift + Command + H	Opens the current user’s home folder. There you’ll find personal locations such as Documents, Pictures, and other account-specific folders.
66	Shift + Command + I	Opens iCloud Drive in Finder. The available files and folders depend on your Apple ID, synchronization, and iCloud settings.
67	Shift + Command + A	Opens the Apps folder in Finder. Use this to view installed applications and open a desired app from the file list.
68	Shift + Command + O	Opens Documents. This is handy when you know a file is there and want to skip the path through the home folder.
69	Shift + Command + U	Opens Utilities within the Apps folder. Here you’ll find available macos utilities for platform information, disk management, and more.
70	Option + Command + L	Opens Downloads. Handy for finding a recently downloaded document, installation file, or other saved download in Finder.

71–80. Finder View and Folder Navigation

The view determines how Finder displays your files. A list is useful for columns with properties; column view shows the folder structure. Switching views does not move your files.

No.	Shortcut	What does this combination offer?
71	Command + 1	Switches Finder to icon view. Files appear as icons; their size and other presentation details depend on the selected view options.
72	Command + 2	Switches to list view. You’ll see files listed one below the other with available columns, such as name, modification date, and file size.
73	Command + 3	Switches to column view. You can navigate the folder structure because a selected folder displays its contents in the next column.
74	Command + 4	Switches to gallery view. This view places greater emphasis on the file preview and is available in macos versions that support this view.
75	Command + J	Opens Finder’s view options. The settings you can adjust depend on the selected view and your current location.
76	Command + [	Goes back to the previous location in Finder’s navigation history. This does not have to be the parent folder.
77	Command + ]	Moves forward in the Finder navigation history after you’ve gone back. If there’s no next location available, nothing changes.
78	Command + Up Arrow	Opens the parent folder in Finder. In text editors, the same combination usually moves the cursor to the beginning of the document.
79	Command + Down Arrow	Opens the selected item in Finder. In supported text editors, this combination moves the cursor to the end of the text.
80	Option + Command + P	Shows or hides the path bar in Finder. This allows you to see at the bottom of the window where the current folder is located in the directory structure.

81–90. Moving the text cursor and selecting larger sections

The following combinations apply to text editors and input fields. With Command, you typically move line by line; with Option, you move word by word. Shift adds a selection to that.

No.	Shortcut	What does this combination offer?
81	Command + Left Arrow	Moves the cursor to the beginning of the current line of text. Use this to add something at the beginning without having to scroll through the entire line.
82	Command + Right Arrow	Moves the cursor to the end of the current line. This navigation command does not select or modify the text.
83	Option + Left Arrow	Moves the cursor backward by word boundaries. Useful when you want to edit a previous word without having to position the mouse precisely.
84	Option + Right Arrow	Moves the cursor forward by word boundaries. This allows you to navigate through a sentence in larger steps than with the individual arrow keys.
85	Option + Delete	Deletes text to the left of the cursor up to a word boundary. In the middle of a word, only the preceding part can be deleted; check the cursor position.
86	Fn + Delete	Deletes the character to the right of the cursor. This is forward delete, unlike the standard Delete key on many Apple keyboards.
87	Shift + Command + Left Arrow	Selects from the cursor to the beginning of the current line. Useful for replacing the first part of that line.
88	Shift + Command + Right Arrow	Selects from the cursor to the end of the current line. The text before the cursor remains outside the selection.
89	Shift + Command + Up Arrow	Selects all text between the cursor and the beginning of the document. Check the selection before deleting or overwriting it.
90	Shift + Command + Down Arrow	Selects from the cursor to the end of the document. Handy for copying the remaining text in one go.

91–100. Select, browse, and paste with precision

Use these key combinations to refine a text selection or navigate through the visible content. The last command opens tabs and therefore serves a different function than the text-editing combinations that precede it.

No.	Shortcut	What does this combination offer?
91	Shift + Left Arrow	Expands the text selection by one character to the left. Useful for making a precise, short selection without including surrounding text.
92	Shift + Right Arrow	Expand the selection one character to the right. Repeat the combination to select, for example, a misspelled word or a few punctuation marks.
93	Option + Shift + Left Arrow	Expands the selection backward by word boundaries. This allows you to quickly select a group of words without immediately highlighting the entire line.
94	Option + Shift + Right Arrow	Expands the selection forward by word boundaries. Useful for copying, replacing, or otherwise formatting multiple consecutive words.
95	Option + Shift + Up Arrow	Expand the selection to the beginning of the current paragraph and, if repeated, further back. The cursor position determines the first selected section.
96	Option + Shift + Down Arrow	Extend the selection to the end of the current paragraph and, when repeated, further ahead, as long as the text editor supports this.
97	Fn + Up Arrow	Works like the Page Up key and scrolls up approximately one page. This is for navigating through the content; the exact amount of scrolling depends on the app.
98	Fn + down arrow	Functions like the Page Down key and scrolls down approximately one page. Handy on compact keyboards without a separate Page Down key.
99	Option + Shift + Command + V	Pastes content using the destination’s formatting in supported apps. This often prevents source formatting discrepancies from appearing in your text.
100	Command + T	Opens a brand new tab in Finder and other supported apps. In certain text apps, the same combination may open the font window instead.

Why might a combination react differently?

First, check which app and which feature are active. For example, Command + I means italics in a text editor, but “Show Info” in Finder. Customized combinations, input sources, and accessibility settings can also have an impact.

For characters such as square brackets and the grave accent, the key location varies by keyboard. Use the key combination listed in the app menu if your keyboard layout differs.

Key points to remember

• The Command key is the most important key for many common Mac commands.
• Closing a window is different from quitting an app.
• Moving files: first copy them, then press Option + Command + V in the destination folder.
• Note the active app: the same combination may have multiple functions.
• Use this overview as a reference guide and get started with the tasks you need to do every day.