Click the gear icon for a settings menu, where you can adjust the delay and print the current shortcuts list, if you want.įor assistance in finding a menu item, use the Help menu’s search field. Now, whenever you hold the Command key for a couple of seconds, a window will pop-up, listing shortcuts for the current app. CheatSheet provides such a thing in a user-friendly manner.ĭownload the app and follow the instructions to allow CheatSheet to control your Mac. If you’re a Mac newcomer or have just installed a new app, it’s handy to get an overview of available shortcuts. (For often-used items lacking a shortcut, consider adding one in System Preferences.) Quickly locate menu items and keyboard shortcuts For an item lacking a shortcut, type a few characters to jump to it and hit Return to select. If an item has a keyboard shortcut, use that to select it.

This is good for general browsing - getting a feel for an app’s menus - but not for day-to-day work. If you’re navigating a menu, and want to go back to the menu bar, press the right or left arrow key (as long as a menu item with a sub-menu isn’t selected). When a menu is highlighted, you can use the up and down arrow keys to navigate it, and also the right and left arrow keys, respectively, to enter and leave sub-menus. You can also start typing to immediately jump to a menu: type E to go to the Edit menu, or type W to go to the Window menu. To select a different menu, navigate using the left or right arrow keys you’ll see one of the menus highlighted, like the View menu below. This selects the Apple menu at the top-left of the display, whether or not you’re in full-screen mode. Press Ctrl+F2 to move focus to the menu bar. If you want to change any of them, click on the keyboard shortcut and press a new one. On many Mac keyboards, such as those on laptops, you also need to press the fn key, at the bottom left of the keyboard, to use the function keys (F1, F2, etc.), so these shortcuts may require that you press three keys. To start with, check System Settings > Keyboard, then Keyboard Shortcuts to see which shortcuts are set.īy default, many of these shortcuts use the Control key (signified here by ^). MacOS offers options to let you control its interface from the keyboard. The Mac offers keyboard shortcuts to aid with this, but many Mac users don’t realize system components primarily designed for cursor interaction can be navigated using the keyboard, too. This article explains how. But keeping your hands on the keyboard can be more efficient. Much of your work on a Mac involves using a mouse or trackpad to move a cursor and click on things. How To + Software & Apps Navigate the Menu Bar, Dock, and More, Using Your Mac’s Keyboard

Command key on mac