10 Mac Keyboard Shortcuts That Will Make You More Efficient

Using keyboard shortcuts is an essential part of becoming a more efficient Mac user. Keyboard shortcuts can save you time by allowing you to quickly access the functions and features you need without having to go through the menus.

There are hundreds of keyboard shortcuts available for the Mac, but here are 10 of the most useful ones that will help you become more productive:

1. Cmd + C and Cmd + V: Copy and Paste

The most common keyboard shortcut of all is probably copy and paste. To copy something, press Cmd + C and to paste it, press Cmd + V. This shortcut works across all applications, so it’s an essential one to remember.

2. Cmd + Tab: Switch Between Applications

Cmd + Tab is a great shortcut for quickly switching between applications. Pressing Cmd + Tab will bring up a list of all the open applications and you can use the arrow keys to select the one you want. Once you’ve selected the application you want, release the keys and it will switch to that application.

3. Cmd + Q: Quit an Application

If you’re done with an application and want to quit it quickly, the Cmd + Q shortcut is the way to go. This shortcut will quit the application you’re currently in without having to go through the menus.

4. Cmd + H: Hide an Application

Cmd + H is a great shortcut to keep in mind if you’re working on something and don’t want to be distracted. This shortcut will hide the application you’re in, so you can focus on something else without having to switch applications.

5. Cmd + Space: Open Spotlight Search

Spotlight Search is a powerful feature that lets you quickly search for anything on your Mac. To open Spotlight Search, just press Cmd + Space and start typing.

6. Cmd + Option + Esc: Force Quit an Application

Sometimes an application can become unresponsive and you’ll need to force quit it. To do this, press Cmd + Option + Esc and you’ll be presented with a list of open applications. Select the one you want to force quit and press the Force Quit button.

7. Cmd + Cmd + Left/Right Arrow: Switch Between Desktops

If you’re using multiple desktops on your Mac, the Cmd + Cmd + Left/Right Arrow shortcut is a great way to quickly switch between them. Just press the shortcut and it will switch to the previous or next desktop.

8. Cmd + Shift + 3/4: Take a Screenshot

The Cmd + Shift + 3/4 shortcut is an essential one to remember if you ever need to take a screenshot on your Mac. Pressing Cmd + Shift + 3 will take a screenshot of your entire screen, while pressing Cmd + Shift + 4 will let you select the area of the screen you want to take a screenshot of.

9. Cmd + Shift + I: Open the Dictionary

The Cmd + Shift + I shortcut will open up the built-in dictionary on your Mac. Once you’ve opened the dictionary, you can type in a word and get the definition.

10. Cmd + Option + D: Show/Hide the Dock

The Dock is the bar at the bottom of your Mac’s screen that houses all of your applications. If you ever need to quickly show or hide the Dock, press Cmd + Option + D and it will toggle the visibility of the Dock.

Learning keyboard shortcuts is an essential part of becoming an efficient Mac user. The 10 keyboard shortcuts listed above are some of the most useful ones that will help you become more productive. If you can remember them, you’ll be able to get more done in less time.