How I use Mac keyboard shortcuts to cut my daily tasks in half
So, you know those “Why, oh why didn’t I catch on to this sooner” moments? I had one recently (and it’s got nothing to do with putting hot honey on anything; that can get in the sea).
No, this was related to my beloved Mac and finding ways to make my workflows faster than ever.
See, one of the things I’ve never properly explored is Apple keyboard symbols and shortcuts, and if I’m honest, I’ve always done everything manually, with this weird feeling that using them was a bit tooooo ultra lazy.
That was until I did a project for a client that needed an awful lot of switching between apps, screens, keyboard, and trackpad. By the end of day one, my fingers had St Vitus Dance.
Mac keyboard symbols that really make a difference
Keen not to end up in the ER with whiplash, I thought I’d better try and get my head round them and this ridiculous notion that it’s somehow cheating to use them (it isn’t!) These are the Mac keyboard shortcuts that actually made a difference in day-to-day work. I don’t need all of them, all the time, but I’ll use at least two of them every day, now.
Simple navigation and searches
The commands you’ll require for simple, everyday shortcuts
- Command + Space bar: This’ll open Spotlight Search so I can launch apps and find files.
- Command + Tab: To switch quickly between open apps.
- Command + H: If I want to hide all windows of the active app without minimising them.
- Command +, (Comma): Open settings or preferences for any active app.
Useful text commands
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These are super useful for anything from copying and pasting through to those all-important screenies.
- Command + C: Copy the selected text or file to my clipboard.
- Command + V: Paste the copied text or file into a new location.
- Command + X: Cut the selected text to move it.
- Option + Command + V: Move a copied file to a new folder.
- Shift + Option + Command + V: Paste and Match Style to strip away weird formatting from copied text.
- Shift + Command + 4: Capture a selected portion of my screen.
- Shift + Command + 5: Open the main screenshot and screen recording control panel.
- Command + Delete: Move selected files directly to the Trash.
How I remember my Mac keyboard symbols list
OK, that’s a lot, right? I know a list like that can feel a bit overwhelming, but I promise it gets simple with time.
And it’s not like you’re going to need every single one, always. You’ll get to know your workflow and which ones work best for you.
There is, however, a neat little trick for checking shortcuts, and I’ll let you in on it…
Want to check a keyboard shortcut, or see if one exists without looking it up? Then simply go to the menu bar and click on any of the tabs to see what’s what. For instance, in the Finder file menu, you’ll find these ones (they’re next to the clickable action, but greyed out).
Knowing the built-in Mac ones is a gift, but even better is being able to create my own memorable ones that are recognizable to me. For this, I can rely on BetterTouchTool, a super little app to have to hand.
With this ace tool, I can not only record new expanded shortcuts for any device I’m on, but I’m also able to build unusual key sequences, movements, trackpad gestures, and even drawings on my touchpad to replace the default options, so I can totally personalize my Mac. Absolute genius!
Try Mac keyboard shortcuts, and you won’t look back
Look, this is by no means an exhaustive list, but I think the ones I’ve highlighted are definitely worth building into muscle memory first.
You can choose to stick with those or build up some more personalized ones if you use BetterTouchTool.
Either way, you’re on the way to streamlining your workflows even more. Boom! Tell me your favorite Mac shortcuts below, and how they fit into your daily life.
