app · macOS
Mac Keyboard Shortcuts
Quick answer
Mac shortcuts are easiest to learn by task: navigation, editing, formatting, and view controls. Start with the table below, then use the menu path fallback when a key combination is blocked.
Reference table
Shortcut Library
Use this as the main reference: shortcut first, menu fallback second, and the note column for version or platform differences.
| Action | Mac | Windows / Web | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spotlight Search | Command + Space | Windows key | Search apps, files, settings, and quick calculations. |
| Switch apps | Command + Tab | Alt + Tab | Hold Command and tap Tab to cycle through open apps. |
| Switch windows in current app | Command + ` | Alt + ` in some apps | Moves through windows belonging to the front app. |
| Force quit app | Option + Command + Esc | Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Use when an app stops responding. |
| Lock screen | Control + Command + Q | Windows + L | Locks the current session. |
| Log out | Shift + Command + Q | No direct equivalent | macOS asks for confirmation. |
| Screenshot full screen | Shift + Command + 3 | Print Screen | Saves a full-screen screenshot. |
| Screenshot selection | Shift + Command + 4 | Windows + Shift + S | Drag to capture a region. |
| Screenshot window | Shift + Command + 4, then Space | Alt + Print Screen | Captures the selected window. |
| Open screenshot tools | Shift + Command + 5 | Windows + Shift + S | Shows capture and recording controls. |
| Copy screenshot to clipboard | Control + Shift + Command + 4 | Windows + Shift + S | Copies a selected screenshot instead of saving to file. |
| Open Finder search | Option + Command + Space | Windows + E, then search | Search from Finder. |
| Open Downloads folder | Option + Command + L | No direct equivalent | Works in Finder. |
| Go to folder | Shift + Command + G | Explorer address bar | Jump to a typed path in Finder. |
| Create new Finder folder | Shift + Command + N | Ctrl + Shift + N | Creates a folder in the active Finder window. |
| Duplicate selected file | Command + D | Ctrl + C, Ctrl + V | Duplicates selected Finder item. |
| Move selected item to Trash | Command + Delete | Delete | Moves item to Trash. |
| Empty Trash | Shift + Command + Delete | Recycle Bin context menu | macOS asks for confirmation. |
| Get Info | Command + I | Alt + Enter | Shows metadata for selected Finder item. |
| Quick Look | Space | No direct equivalent | Preview selected file without opening its app. |
| Open selected file | Command + O | Enter | Opens selected file in Finder. |
| Rename selected file | Return | F2 | Renames selected Finder item. |
| Show hidden files | Shift + Command + . | View hidden items | Toggles hidden file visibility in Finder. |
| Copy | Command + C | Ctrl + C | Works in most editing contexts. |
| Paste | Command + V | Ctrl + V | Works in most editing contexts. |
| Cut | Command + X | Ctrl + X | Works in text fields; Finder uses move via paste shortcut. |
| Move copied Finder item | Option + Command + V | Ctrl + X, Ctrl + V | Moves instead of copying after Command + C in Finder. |
| Undo | Command + Z | Ctrl + Z | Most editing contexts. |
| Redo | Shift + Command + Z | Ctrl + Y or Ctrl + Shift + Z | App behavior can vary. |
| Select all | Command + A | Ctrl + A | Selects text, files, or objects. |
| Find | Command + F | Ctrl + F | Search within current app or page. |
| Save | Command + S | Ctrl + S | Some web apps auto-save. |
| Command + P | Ctrl + P | Opens print dialog. | |
| Close window | Command + W | Ctrl + W or Alt + F4 | Closes current tab or window depending on app. |
| Quit app | Command + Q | Alt + F4 | Quits the front app. |
| Hide current app | Command + H | No direct equivalent | Hides the active app. |
| Hide other apps | Option + Command + H | No direct equivalent | Clears visual clutter. |
| Minimize window | Command + M | Windows + Down | Minimizes current window. |
| Open app preferences | Command + , | Often Ctrl + , | Works in many Mac apps. |
| New tab | Command + T | Ctrl + T | Browsers and tabbed apps. |
| Reopen closed tab | Shift + Command + T | Ctrl + Shift + T | Browsers and many tabbed apps. |
| Next tab | Control + Tab | Ctrl + Tab | Cycles through tabs. |
| Previous tab | Control + Shift + Tab | Ctrl + Shift + Tab | Cycles backward through tabs. |
| Emoji and symbols | Control + Command + Space | Windows + . | Opens character viewer. |
| Mission Control | Control + Up Arrow | Task View | Shows spaces and windows. |
| Application windows | Control + Down Arrow | No direct equivalent | Shows windows for current app. |
| Move to next desktop | Control + Right Arrow | Ctrl + Windows + Right | Switches spaces. |
| Move to previous desktop | Control + Left Arrow | Ctrl + Windows + Left | Switches spaces. |
| Open Help menu search | Shift + Command + / | F1 or app help | Useful for finding menu commands. |
Menu Path Fallback
Open the app menu bar or command palette, then search for the action name shown in the table.
Compatibility
Mac shortcuts can vary by operating system, app version, browser mode, and keyboard layout. Confirm platform-specific details before training a team or publishing an internal SOP.
If It Does Not Work
- Make sure the app or browser tab is focused before pressing the shortcut.
- Check whether a system shortcut, browser extension, or custom keyboard setting is intercepting the keys.
- Use the menu path as a fallback when the shortcut is unavailable on your platform.
FAQ
Why do shortcuts differ between Mac and Windows?
Modifier keys, app versions, browser focus, and keyboard layouts can change the exact shortcut.
What should I do if a shortcut does not work?
Check whether the app window is focused, confirm the platform, try the menu path, and look for system-level shortcut conflicts.
Are these pages a replacement for official docs?
No. They are practical reference pages with links to official sources where version-specific details should be checked.
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