With a few keyboard shortcuts you work a lot faster on a Mac or MacBook than with the mouse. There are hundreds, but you only really need a handful. This article lists the handiest keyboard shortcuts for your MacBook, by topic. The Command key (⌘) plays the lead almost everywhere: on the Mac it does what Ctrl does on Windows.
Blue Apple repairs MacBooks in Amsterdam, keyboards included. If a key does not work properly, read the part at the end.
The keys you need to know
- Command (⌘): next to the space bar. For most shortcuts.
- Option (⌥): next to Command. For special characters and extra functions.
- Control (⌃): bottom left. Needed less often than on Windows.
- Shift (⇧) and Fn or Globe (🌐).
Text and files
- Command + C / X / V: copy, cut, paste.
- Command + Z: undo. Shift + Command + Z: redo.
- Command + A: select all.
- Command + F: find in a document or web page.
- Command + S: save.
- Option + Shift + Command + V: paste without formatting.
Apps and windows
- Command + Tab: switch between apps.
- Command + W: close window or tab. Command + Q: quit app.
- Command + N: new window. Command + T: new tab.
- Command + Space bar: Spotlight, to search apps and files.
- Command + Option + Esc: force quit a frozen app. More in Ctrl-Alt-Delete on a Mac.
- Command + comma: the settings of the app you are using.
Screenshots and recordings
- Shift + Command + 3: screenshot of the whole screen.
- Shift + Command + 4: screenshot of a portion.
- Shift + Command + 5: all options, including video. See screen recording on a Mac.
Handy extras
- Control + Command + Space bar (or the Globe key): emoji and symbols.
- Control + Command + Q: lock the screen.
- Option + Command + D: hide or show the Dock.
- Command + Delete: move the selected file to the Bin. More in the Delete key on a Mac.
- Option + Shift + 2: the euro sign on an American keyboard.
Moving quickly through text
- Option + left or right arrow: one word forward or back.
- Command + left or right arrow: to the start or end of the line.
- Command + up or down arrow: to the start or end of the document.
- Add Shift (for example Shift + Option + right arrow): selects instead of only moving.
- Fn + up or down arrow: page up or page down, since a MacBook has no Page Up and Page Down keys.
Making your own shortcuts
In System Settings, Keyboard, Keyboard Shortcuts you can change existing shortcuts and create your own combination for an app's menu items. Under App Shortcuts choose an app, type the exact name of the menu item and pick your combination.
A shortcut does not work
If a combination does not work, check whether another app uses the same shortcut, whether you have the right keyboard layout, and whether the key itself works (for example in TextEdit). If a key does not respond or only sometimes, there may be dirt under it or the mechanism is worn. Read MacBook keyboard not working.
What we do at Blue Apple in Amsterdam
For keys that stick, type twice or do not respond, we check whether cleaning is enough or whether a key or the whole keyboard needs replacing. You hear beforehand what it will be. More on our page about MacBook keyboard repair.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Mac version of Ctrl + C?
Command + C. On the Mac, Command almost always replaces the Windows Ctrl key.
Where do I find a list of all shortcuts?
In every app's menus the shortcut is shown next to the menu item. Apple also has a complete list on its support site.
Do these shortcuts also work on an iMac?
Yes, on any Mac with an Apple keyboard. On a Windows keyboard the Windows key is the Command key.
