20 Useful Keyboard Shortcuts That Every Mac User Should Know

You want to keep your fast-typing flow when typing something important. For some of the other tasks, you would need to use either mouse or trackpad, which does affect it. Even if you are not typing or doing any focused work, then for some functions, you would need to navigate long. In either of the scenarios, Mac keyboard shortcuts are a rescue and do wonders. Amidst plenty of shortcuts, we are here to guide you if you are looking for the top 20 useful keyboard shortcuts on Mac.

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1. Command + W

You can quickly close a window on your Mac by pressing the Command+W keys, which will close the current window. To close all windows, use the combination of Option, Command, and W keys. This shortcut saves time and effort compared to using the red button or closing every window individually.

2. Command + Y

To quickly preview an item using QuickLook, select the item and press Command+Y instead of using the space key.

3. Command + G

You often want to visit a website for various reasons, but typing the URL can be a hassle. However, you can save time by using a shortcut. By pressing the Command+G keys on your Mac keyboard, you can instantly open the browser with the cursor in the address bar, ready for you to type in the website's URL, saving you the trouble of opening the browser, clicking on the address bar, and typing the URL manually.

4. Command + M

To minimize an application to the Dock, press Command + M on your keyboard. To minimize all windows, press Option + Command + M.

5. Command + L

To quickly select a webpage URL, press the Command and L keys at the same time. This allows you to select the URL without navigating to the address bar.

6. Command + X

You can cut a selected text by pressing the Command+X keys simultaneously, eliminating the need to repeatedly try right-clicking it. This shortcut allows you to quickly cut the text and copy it to the clipboard.

7. Command + Arrow

When using word processing software, you can move the insertion point to the beginning or end of the line or document using command and arrow keys.

Amongst different arrow keys, here's how those will help you!

The Command+Left Arrow shortcut moves the cursor to the beginning of the line.
The Command+Right Arrow shortcut moves the cursor to the end of the line, allowing you to quickly navigate and edit text.
Command+Up Arrow: Moves the cursor to the cursor to the start of the document
Command+Down Arrow moves the cursor to the end of the document.

You can use these arrow keys to navigate any document.

8. Command + Shift + A

To quickly access an application, press the Command+Shift+A keys, which will launch the Applications folder, allowing you to select and open the desired app.

9. Command + Shift + \

To view all open tabs in Safari, press Command+Shift+\ (backslash) keys on your keyboard.

10. Command + Shift + T

If you accidentally close a webpage without saving, pressing Command+Shift+T on your Mac will reopen the last website you visited, allowing you to save it before closing again.

11. Command + Option + D

You feel that Dock on your Mac needs improvement, especially when using it in full-screen mode for focused activities. However, you can temporarily hide the Dock by pressing Command, Option, and D keys, and then show it again by pressing those keys once more. This functionality will remain active until you press the keys again.

12. Command + Space

For quick searches, consider using Spotlight or keyboard shortcuts like Command+Space to speed up the process and save time and effort.

13. Command + Tab

On a Mac, you can easily switch between apps using the Command+Tab keys. If you want to move the cursor between apps, press the Cmd key along with the shortcut, which will Shift the cursor from left to right between the apps.

14. Command +,

The Command+ (comma) shortcut is a time-saving and effortless way to access an app's system preferences without checking the menu. By using this shortcut, you can quickly and easily access the preferences of the app you have opened, making it a valuable tool for anyone looking to simplify their workflow.

15. Command + Arrow

When using Chrome, you can quickly scroll to the bottom of a webpage by pressing the Command+Arrow Down keys simultaneously, and to scroll up towards the top, press the Command+Arrow Up keys.

16. Command + Control + Q

To lock your Mac automatically, use the keyboard shortcut Command+Control+Q. This will instantly lock your device, saving you time when you're away for a short period.

17. Control + Command + Space

To become more expressive in your writing, you can quickly access the character viewer by pressing the Control+Command+Space keys simultaneously, allowing you to insert emojis or symbols directly into your text.

18. Option + Shift + Volume Key

Press the option+shift+volume keys to increase or decrease the volume in small fragments.

19. Option + Shift + Brightness Key

To adjust the brightness of your Mac, press the Option+Shift+Brightness (F2) key.

20. Tab

The keyboard shortcut that allows you to switch between different open windows or tabs in a browser or application is called the "Tab" key. It is a standard keyboard press that enables users to navigate between different elements of a browser or application. This key is commonly used to switch between open windows, tabs, or other interactive elements in a user interface.

Conclusion

Mac users can benefit from various keyboard shortcuts that save time and effort. Favorites among these include Command+W, Command+G, Command+Tab, and Option+Command+Esc, which are particularly useful for complex work. I'd be happy to hear which shortcuts you use most and find helpful, so please share your thoughts in the comment section!