Keyboard Shortcuts for Macbook Pro

I have often found myself frustrated knowing that there is a keyboard shortcut for something in Mac OSX but for whatever reason I can’t remember what it was. This page is my way of keeping track of keyboard shortcuts I find online so I don’t have to remember them!

   
   
Menu Commands  
Shift+Apple+Q Log out
Shift+Option Apple+Q Log out immediately
Shift+Apple+Delete Empty Trash
Apple+H Hide Active Application
Option+Apple+H Hide All But The Active Application
Control+Eject Shut Down, Sleep, or Restart Options
Apple+Control+Eject Quit all applications and Restart
Apple+ . (period) Stop a process
Apple+ , (comma) Open Preferences for Active Application
Option+Apple+D Show/Hide Dock
Control+Up Arrow Move up one page
Control+Down Arrow Move down one page
Option+Apple+Esc Force Quit
File Management  
Apple+N New Finder window
Shift+Apple+N New Folder
Apple+O Open Another Existing Document
Apple+S Save
Shift+Apple+S Save as
Apple+P Print
Apple+W Close Window
Apple+Option+W Close all Windows
Apple+I Get Info
Option+Apple+I Show Attributes Inspector
Apple+D Duplicate
Apple+Q Close Application
Apple+L Make Alias
Apple+R Show Original
Apple+T Add to Favorites
Apple+Delete Move Highlighted Items to Trash
Apple+E Eject
Apple+F Find
Editing  
Apple+Z Undo
Apple+X Cut
Apple+C Copy
Apple+V Paste
Apple+A Select All
Apple+ { Align Left
Apple+ } Align Right
Apple+ | (pipe) Align Center
Apple+ ; (semicolon) Check Spelling
Shift+Apple+C Show Colors palette in application
Apple+T Show Font palette in application
View Menu  
Apple+1 View as Icons
Apple+2 View as List
Apple+3 View as Columns
Option+Apple+T Hide Toolbar
Apple+J Show View Options
Moving Around  
Apple+ [ Back
Apple+ ] Forward
Shift+Apple+A Applications
Shift+Apple+F Favorites
Shift+Apple+G Goto Folder
Apple+K Connect to Server
Apple+Tab Switch to next Application
Controlling Windows  
Apple+N New Window
Apple+T New Tab
Apple+M Minimize Window
Option+Apple+M Minimize All Windows
Getting Help  
Apple+ ? Open Mac Help
Universial Access  
Option+Apple+ * (asterisk) Turn on Zoom
Option+Apple+ = Zoom in
Option+Apple+ - Zoom out
Control+Option+Apple+ * Switch to White on Black (Invert Screen)
Combine Keyboard with Mouse  
Option+Drag Copy to new location
Option+Apple+Drag Make alias in new location
Apple+Drag Move to new location without copying
Screen Shots  
Apple+Shift+3 Take a picture of the screen
Apple+Shift+4 Take a picture of the selection
Apple+Shift+4, Control Take a picture of the selection, place in clipboard
Apple+Shift+4, Spacebar Take a picture of the selected window
   

Update: For European characters and accent marks there are several useful key combinations that use the Mac’s option key. Apple has posted a nice write up here with all the details.

60 responses to “Keyboard Shortcuts for Macbook Pro”

20 12 2006
Sandra Montgomery (01:17:11) :

I love the list of keyboard shortcuts BUT…the function description column is cut off so that I can’t read what the function is on some of them. Not sure why this is but can you fix it?

Thanks!
Sandra

20 12 2006
RJ (01:38:21) :

Fixed!

PS Thanks for pointing that out!

13 03 2007
cliff (21:44:40) :

how do you goto the menu on the macbook pro with the remote?

15 03 2007
campioni (23:30:53) :

um… buoni, realmente buoni luogo e molto utile;)

24 03 2007
Jak (14:13:12) :

these are very helpful comments, they have come in handy.

Thank you very much!!!

14 05 2007
Marie (14:30:54) :

How do you go to the beginning of a document, not just one page up?
And how do you go the very end of a document?

20 05 2007
David (15:28:07) :

Is it possible to turn your macbook screen off while using the video out cable to watch dvds on the tv.

3 07 2007
neta (09:05:03) :

How do I print the screen from my MacBook while on OS XP (PC side of the Mac…) ??
I read that function+dject does it = it does not
Also read that alt+F4 does it = it does not

Any clue?

21 07 2007
laurie (14:26:37) :

how do you lock/unlock the keyboard?

1 08 2007
msvista (02:05:38) :

Thanks for all the shortcuts

23 09 2007
Frank Zelip (16:17:46) :

On an Intel Macbook Pro (pad only, no mouse)… with several applications or files open, is there a shortcut to show what I have open (sort of a miniature view of all pages open on the desktop) so that I can toggle by select/click between apps/files?

I’m aware of CMD+Tab to show/tab between applications.

With some mice you can right click to give the “birds eye view” of all opened files, but is there a shortcut command to do this without a mouse on a MBP?

1 10 2007
RJ (00:41:28) :

Frank, I think you are talking about the exposé feature of OSX. Yes, you can map this to a hot-key on a MBP. You will find the settings to do this under System Preferences + Dashboard & Exposé.

-RJ

5 10 2007
Junior (09:42:29) :

wow thanks alot…very helpful

11 11 2007
Frank Z (03:14:00) :

re: 9/23/07>Thanks for the great info, RJ. Really appreciate the help about Expose/Dashboard under Sys Preferences… made my day!

I have another Q:
Should I be concerned in any way about the Recovered Files that are in the Trash? Am I loosing any data/info/apps, etc. if I empty the Trash? What causes the files to be placed in Trash? What should I be doing with these Recovered Files on my MBP, OS X, Tiger?

INSIGHT please :)
-FZ

7 12 2007
Dave (16:13:49) :

I am using a program on my MacBook Pro that requires the use of the Insert Key. I just recently switched over to Mac and am not truly familiar with the keyboard. If anyone could help me out that would be great.

-DD

15 12 2007
Homer (01:09:11) :

Dave, press the function key and the letter M to execute the PC Insert key.

17 12 2007
Chris (22:59:16) :

Hey – I dont find the function + M works as an insert – not at all.

Im using Maya and normally the full sized keyboard key ‘insert’ – works like charm. This suggestion didnt work on a regular MBP keyboard, would love to find a way to make it work ! Please advise…. Thank you !

6 01 2008
Leafski (08:55:13) :

Cheers, these are well handy!

26 01 2008
Shawn (14:47:01) :

MYSTERY COMMAND ….These are great..it didnt help my problem…some how while downloading movies from a paysite…i heald down (option+mouse click) and now all the media i try to download turns into “php.Txt.” anyone know how i can fix this?

19 02 2008
dennis (17:01:09) :

never knew about the empty trash one, thanks

25 02 2008
Zac (22:17:33) :

Can you tell me the keyboard shortcut to go to my homepage in Firefox on a macbook? I don’t have a separate “home” key, it is meshed with the “left arrow” key. I’m a recent switcher and this frustrates me to no end. Please help!

8 03 2008
MikeTheGoat (17:51:15) :

To go home in firefox on a Macbook press fn+alt+left arrow

Cheers,

Mike

13 03 2008
Cameron Reilly (20:07:50) :

I concur with Chris above – pressing func + M on the MBP returns a 0, not insert.

14 03 2008
cindy (16:38:01) :

thank you so much. now I can program my 5 button mouse to go back and forward which is why I bought the mouse and could never find how to make it work correctly.

19 03 2008
julie (14:22:15) :

I inadvertantly hit a key combination that has changed my text typing option from”insert” to “replace.” I cannot figure out how I did this, nor how to undo it, so I am anxiously awaiting the next post on this subject! I am finding it challenging to find the answer to this…

19 03 2008
julie (14:48:20) :

I have solved my problem by quitting and restarting Word, but I would still like to know the shortcut if anyone finds it. Thanks.

9 04 2008
jack (01:02:47) :

which one is apple button

12 05 2008
Good Question (13:55:20) :

Greetings!

This list has been invaluable. :)

I’m hoping you know of a shortcut that substitutes the right click double tap on a Mac OS X. Maybe it’s listed above and I’m not recognizing the phase. I just want to open my document of choice in a new tab. I find it incredibly frustrating to have to find the right angle to tap with two fingers.

13 05 2008
RJ (01:00:40) :

Good shortcut for the double-tap that I use all the time is just to hold down the option key when you click. Sounds annoying but you will be surprised how quickly you get used to it!

-RJ

13 05 2008
Good Question (13:15:29) :

Clicking with the option key didn’t work but Apple + click does! Thank you!!! I’m already used to it. ;)

As well, I experimented a bit and found that Control + click gives you *all* the options one finds with the double-tap.

Bless you! ;)
GQ

28 05 2008
MC (12:52:16) :

Fantastic list. I depend on keyboard shortcuts a lot and not knowing them (recent switchover from PC) is driving me crazy, too.

Does anyone know how to bring down the pull-down menu for bookmarks in Firefox or Safari in OSX?

27 06 2008
PETERV (19:33:21) :

In preview, I want to hilight some text in Preview. I can do it by clicking on Tools, then Mark Up, then click on Hilight Text. There is a keyboard shortcut listed next to the Hilight Text: ^*H (Where the asterisk is actually the symbol on the command key.) I have a MacBook Pro, and I can’t get this key combination to work. Has anyone ever gotten the hilight shortcut to work?
Thanks….

17 09 2008
Rachel (16:35:00) :

Is there a way to delete from the left instead of the right?

22 09 2008
Pat (19:40:18) :

Hi Rachel
fn + backspace : same as del

Also to add in the editing section:
apple + right arrow : end of line
apple + left arrow : beginning of line

Patrick

3 11 2008
brian (13:36:12) :

A print option excluding the comments would be nice.

20 11 2008
Kz (18:18:32) :

Hi
Is there a way to change the way windows are shown when the expose key is open? If I have a number of web pages open and i press the expose key all my pages come up in a line. This is ok if i have 4 open but when i have more they become squashed and blurred.
Thnx

23 11 2008
TH (12:09:49) :

For those having trouble with the MAYA insert key (or lack of it on a mac book) hold down D will allow you to move the transform pivot.

22 12 2008
inemeguem (21:56:54) :

Could you please advice a virtual numbers operator with the bigest country coverage and cheap call forward to cell phone which gives 888 number? I need numbers in the Bahrain, Bulgaria, Greece, Jordan, Italy, Korea, Pakistan, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, South Africa.
??????

23 12 2008
jazz (04:24:21) :

And what is the shortcut to maximize a window after you have minimized it?

@ MikeTheGoat: cant check that shortcut right now but it would be fantastic if that works!!

23 12 2008
Dowlpreorge (13:57:52) :

Most peoples says that you need, other that you dont.
Do I need it?

27 12 2008
attersseani (23:22:33) :

Just dropping in to say hi.
Hoping to learn new stuff on these forums.

9 01 2009
aslam (22:44:48) :

According to this Knowledgebase article from Apple:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1220

There is no Insert Mapping on a MacBook Pro built-in keyboard. :’(

10 01 2009
Olga (16:41:52) :

Hold Control+Option+Command+8
The screen turns negative!!

15 01 2009
cliereuchnecT (19:50:08) :

Good day guys and girls!

I’m new here.

So i’d like to know if a world financial crisis affected someone among you?

4 02 2009
JoRDANA (09:11:45) :

can you help me? I don’t know whay should i do
i dont noob!

8 02 2009
Concerned (15:10:42) :

Hi RJ,

I don’t know where to post this question so I figured that this might be an okay place.

What do you know about Mac os x spy software? Is it necessary? And if it is, what type would you recommend?

8 02 2009
Concerned (15:17:46) :

Sorry, I meant *Anti* Spy Software.

14 02 2009
AlexStivenson (22:41:13) :

How you think, in our situation whis crisis its actual?

17 02 2009
Roby (04:39:39) :

Hello,

i did a casual shortcut combination and my mac book pro started to speak describing every item or position i clik on… can you please help me to stop it?? it is not possible from sys prefs??

22 02 2009
piemCruri (14:44:11) :

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27 02 2009
Smammowmelm (05:55:51) :

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16 03 2009
Hamza (10:38:52) :

Hi i would like to know how to type this :
for coding.

16 03 2009
Alana (17:57:11) :

how do I make the colors on my macbook negative/inverted using the keyboard?

20 03 2009
Druttimasia (09:19:49) :

very intresting

1 05 2009
chris (12:47:38) :

Why’s there not a shortcut to maximise a window?

1 05 2009
chris (12:47:47) :

Why’s there not a shortcut to maximise a window?

1 05 2009
chris (12:47:47) :

Why’s there not a shortcut to maximise a window?

23 05 2009
мepтвeц (01:50:40) :

Согласен с автором статьи. У меня точно такое же мнение :)

6 07 2009
Frenchy1st (14:18:28) :

The “INSERT key’ on MacBook Pro = fn +home, (the left arrow on your right side). It is mainly helpful for MAYA users!

Good luck!

La clé “INSERT” sur le MacBook Pro = fn + home, (la flèche de gauche à ta droite). C’est surtout utile pour les utilisateurs de MAYA!

Bonne chance:)

Frenchy1st :)

8 07 2009
jazz (20:17:34) :

to minimise a window you can use apple+h. to maximise it you can use alt+tab.

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