MacBooks are known for their sleek design and intuitive macOS interface, but keyboard shortcuts can make your experience even faster and more efficient. Whether you’re navigating files, switching apps, or taking screenshots, MacBook shortcuts help you perform actions in seconds — no mouse needed.
Here’s a complete guide to essential MacBook keyboard shortcuts, with practical examples.
Essential MacBook Keyboard Shortcuts.
1. Basic System Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action | Example Use |
|---|---|---|
| Command (⌘) + C | Copy | Copy text from a document |
| Command (⌘) + V | Paste | Paste copied text into an email |
| Command (⌘) + X | Cut | Cut a paragraph from Notes |
| Command (⌘) + Z | Undo | Undo a typing mistake |
2. App Switching and Navigation
| Shortcut | Action | Example Use |
|---|
| Command (⌘) + Tab | Switch apps | Switch between Safari, Mail, and Finder |
| Command (⌘) + Q | Quit app | Close Microsoft Word after editing |
| Command (⌘) + Space | Open Spotlight Search | Search for "System Preferences" |
3. Screenshot Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action | Example Use |
|---|---|---|
| Command (⌘) + Shift + 3 | Full screen screenshot | Capture the entire screen |
| Command (⌘) + Shift + 4 | Partial screenshot | Select a section of the screen |
| Command (⌘) + Shift + 5 | Screenshot menu | Choose screen recording options |
Finder Shortcuts (File Management)
| Shortcut | Action | Example Use |
|---|---|---|
| Command (⌘) + N | New Finder window | Open a new Finder window |
| Command (⌘) + Shift + N | New folder | Create a new folder in Documents |
| Command (⌘) + Delete | Move to Trash | Delete a file |
Text Editing Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action | Example Use |
|---|---|---|
| Command (⌘) + A | Select all | Select all text in Pages |
| Command (⌘) + B | Bold text | Bold highlighted text |
| Command (⌘) + I | Italicize text | Italicize highlighted text |
| Command (⌘) + K | Add hyperlink | Insert a link in Notes |
Advanced Shortcuts (Power Users)
| Shortcut | Action | Example Use |
|---|---|---|
| Control + Command + Q | Lock screen | Quickly lock your Mac |
| Command (⌘) + Option + Esc | Force quit apps | Close unresponsive apps |
| Command (⌘) + Shift + T | Reopen last closed tab | Restore a recently closed Safari tab |
Example Workflow Using Shortcuts
- Command (⌘) + Tab to switch to Safari.
- Command (⌘) + Space to search for a reference file.
- Command (⌘) + Shift + 4 to take a partial screenshot.
- Command (⌘) + C and Command (⌘) + V to copy and paste content into your report.
Customize Shortcuts with your own key.
Imagine you’re working on a report in Pages and need to quickly switch between apps, search for information, and capture part of your screen. You could:
With just a few keystrokes, you’ve saved time and boosted your productivity.
You can also create your own custom shortcuts in: System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts.
This lets you tailor your MacBook to fit your personal workflow.
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