We all remember the iconic figure of Steve Jobs (1955-2011), the American entrepreneur and inventor who co-founded Apple, one of the richest transnational companies in the world. From its earliest days in 1984 and still today, Mac OS delivers cutting-edge, easy-to-use functionality to users. Here, we discuss Mac keyboard shortcuts, genuine time savers built into every Mac operating system.
🙋♂️ What Are Mac Keyboard Shortcuts?
By definition, shortcuts are pathways that save users time and effort; that definition applies to Mac keyboard shortcuts, too. Rather than clicking one's mouse on a menu, selecting an action, and clicking to execute the action, typists only need to engage a few keys to complete the task1.
Keyboard shortcuts combine two or more keys to execute a function normally done from a menu.
These shortcuts allow you to cut, copy, paste, and edit text, as well as capture screen images.
Using Mac keyboard shortcuts boosts productivity by saving users time and motion.
Mac keyboard shortcuts typically use the Command key (⌘ or Cmd) + at least one more key to execute commands.
Shortcuts for Mac: An Overview
Using keyboard shortcuts is a two-step process:
1️⃣ Hold down one or more modifier keys.
2️⃣ Press a letter or symbol key.
Modifier keys are the Control, Option, Command, Function, and Shift keys. True to their 'modifier' name, engaging any of these keys modifies the action of the letter or symbol key you press immediately after. On a Mac system, the Command key (⌘ or Cmd) is the modifier used for the most common commands.
Simple commands
- Cmd+C (copy)
- Cmd+V (paste)
- Cmd+Z (undo)
- Cmd+F (find)
- Cmd+P (print)
- Cmd+Space (Spotlight)
Complex commands
- Cmd+Shift+Z (redo)
- Control+Cmd+Space (emojis)
- Shift+Cmd+N (new folder)
- Shift+Cmd+Tab (cycle apps)
- Cmd+Opt+space (search in Finder)
- Shift+Cmd+5 (screenshots and screen recordings)
Apple doesn't typically change these commands when it releases updated software. However, it may enhance what a shortcut can do as Mac/Apple systems gain more functionality. For instance, you may chat with Siri while using the Spotlight function (⌘ + Space).
As a Mac user, you should keep up with all the updates on the Apple support page. There, you can also learn how to view and change shortcuts (in System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts), and add app‑specific shortcuts.
⚡ Daily Use Keyboard Shortcuts Mac
The sooner you master using keyboard shortcuts, the faster you can bypass both the mouse and menus for many functions. And the faster your typing and productivity will get. Note that some shortcuts are used more frequently than others, such as the copy/paste commands mentioned above. You'll use at least one modifier key for each.
Command (⌘ or Cmd)
Control (Ctrl)
Option (Opt)
Function (Fn)
and Shift.
You might take a moment to locate these keys on your Mac keyboard or, if you've not yet bought your Mac, in the picture above. The first three modifiers are typically along the bottom row of keys, while the Fn key may sit alongside them, or between the 'Delete' and 'Home' keys.
With their locations marked, you can begin to visualise how your fingers will manage these key combinations.
Task
- Find
- Copy
- Cut
- Paste
- Emojis
- Quit
- Switch
Shortcut
- Cmd+F
- Cmd+C
- Cmd+X
- Cmd+V
- Ctrl+Cmd+space
- Cmd+Q
- Cmd+Tab
Effect
- opens Finder
- copies words/text
- cuts words/text
- adds cut word
- emoji menu
- ends a session
- switches between apps/windows
These commands work system-wide — on web pages such as email, as well as office applications such as Word and Excel. However, you may run into shortcut conflicts, as some of the Mac commands overlap with app-specific commands2. We cover how to resolve those conflicts later in this article.
😍 Emoji Keyboard Shortcut Mac
The emoji menu is officially titled the Character Viewer, as it presents not just emojis, but also geometrical shapes, mathematical symbols, currency symbols, and much, much more. From this menu, you can further toggle between language packs, say, American English (from British English).
First option: press Fn + E.
Second option: ⌘ (Cmd) + Ctrl + space bar
Once the menu appears, you may choose whichever happy (or sad) face your text calls for. Or were you looking for symbols — perhaps the Euro symbol (if you're in Ireland) or the pound sign for UK readers? Good news! You don't need to scour a menu; you can type those and other symbols directly.
£ sign
Option + 3
€ sign
Shift + Option + 2
© sign
Option + G
If you're taking French lessons and need to type vowels with accents, you don't even need a modifier key. Simply press the vowel's key and hold it for a sec. A menu will appear, from which you'll choose the desired vowel. The same works for the German Umlaut (ä, ö, ü), the Spanish Tilde (ñ), and the French Cedilla (ç).
🔎 MacOS and Finder Shortcuts
Earlier, we mentioned there's a difference between system-level and application-level shortcuts, and they may sometimes conflict. Here, we're covering the system-level shortcuts that can help you boost workflow productivity or just speed up your email writing.
At the app level, Finder shortcuts specialise in finding elements within the app.
At the system level, they deliver executive commands, such as opening a new folder or webpage.
The Mac operating system (macOS) gives users many built-in conveniences, not the least of which is the system-level Finder function4. It works as the fundamental graphical user interface (GUI), allowing quick access to these common tasks.
These are the commands to use within Finder to complete the actions you need.
| 🧙♂️ Command | 💻 What it does |
|---|---|
| ⌘ (Cmd) + N | Opens a new window |
| Shift + ⌘ (Cmd) + N | Opens a new folder |
| Shift + ⌘ (Cmd) + O | Opens the Documents folder |
| ⌘ (Cmd) + delete | Sends an item to the trash |
| ⌘ (Cmd) + space | Opens Finder |
| ⌘ (Cmd) + down arrow | Opens a selected file |
| ⌘ (Cmd) + I | Get information for the current file |
| ⌘ (Cmd) + D | Duplicate selected items |
Commands to access system-level applications and utilities exist as well. For instance, you can open Spotlight by pressing ⌘ (Cmd) + Space, the same command you'd use to open Finder once you have Spotlight open. These nested commands make it easier for users to remember their functions.
Screenshot Commands
No shortcut series demonstrates Mac's nested philosophy better than the commands for capturing screenshots.
Capturing a screenshot or a portion of one saves the image to a file. However, if you intend to use the image you captured right away, you might prefer to save it to your system's clipboard. To do so, simply down as you engage the other keys.
💌 Safari, Mail, and Notes: Shortcuts for the Apps You Use
Surfing the web, sending emails, and writing documents: studies show these are the casual user's primary computer activities5. Like other applications, Mac offers shortcuts for all these functions.
Safari Shortcuts
Safari is the macOS default web browser; it's pre-installed on every Mac device. To use it most efficiently, use these commands.
- ⌘ (Cmd) + T opens a new tab.
- ⌘ (Cmd) + W closes the current tab
- Shift + ⌘ (Cmd) + T reopens the just-closed tab
- ⌘ (Cmd) + L places your cursor in the address bar
Unfortunately, launching Safari still depends on a mouse-click. But if you wish to open your browser from the keyboard, you can type 'open - a Safari' in the 'Command' line. Once the browser launches, you can use the shortcuts above to navigate it.
Mail Shortcuts
With more instant communication happening via text message, email seems almost quaint. Still, this is a fundamental utility for which Mac offers several shortcuts.
- ⌘ (Cmd) + N opens a new message
- ⌘ (Cmd) + F searches your mailbox for a specific message
- ⌘ (Cmd) +Shift + A: pick a file to attach to a mail
- ⌘ (Cmd) + Shift + D sends your message
- ⌘ (Cmd) + Z 'unsends' a sent message (10 seconds after sending)
You can also use commands to style email text: ⌘ (Cmd) + B, I, or U renders bold, italicised, or underlined text, respectively.
The same commands used in Mail apply to the note-taking utility:
⌘ (Cmd) + N opens a new note.
⌘ (Cmd) + F searches notes (or text in a current note)
⌘ (Cmd) + Shift + L accesses a checklist.
💼 Mac Keyboard Shortcuts and Office Software
Despite the earlier claim that people mostly use their computers to surf the 'net and write emails, plenty of us use the office software we install on our Macs. This is where we might run into shortcut conflicts.
Due to the similarity in cross-app commands, users may need to change macOS or Office shortcuts in their Preferences menu.
You've seen these commands before: ⌘ (Cmd) + S saves a file at the Mac level, and also in Office. The Bold, Italics, and Underline commands (⌘ (Cmd) + B/I/U) perform those functions in Mail as well as Office. You can also use ⌘ (Cmd) + F to find a word or phrase at the Mac level and in Office documents.
However, some shortcuts work exclusively in Office applications. For instance:
| 📃 Application | 👉 Command | 😀 What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Documents | ⌘ (Cmd) + Option + 1, 2, 3 ⌘ (Cmd) + Option + A ⌘ (Cmd) + F ⌘ (Cmd) + B, I, U ⌘ (Cmd) + S | for Header 1, 2, 3 to insert a comment to navigate the page to make text bold, italicised, or underlined to save the document |
| Powerpoint | ⌘ (Cmd) + Shift + Return ⌘ (Cmd) + D | to start a slideshow to duplicate a slide |
| Excel | ⌘ (Cmd) + U ⌘ (Cmd) + D | to edit a cell to fill down |
Note that while Mac commands tend to remain the same or add functionality, Office for Mac commands may change. If the shortcuts you typically use don't work anymore, be sure to check the Microsoft support page before investigating any further.
👷♀️ Resolving Conflicts and Customising Shortcuts
Tossing out 'change your settings', as we did in the last chapter, doesn't offer much help. This section takes you through the exact steps to resolve any keyboard shortcut conflicts you might run into.
macOS System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts
From there, you may enable/disable shortcuts or remap them altogether. Simply click on the current key combination and press your desired key sequence to complete the remap.
You may also create customised, app-specific shortcuts by clicking the + button, choosing the application, and generating the exact command title. This may come in handy should you have pesky conflicts between Office and macOS commands.
Rest assured that PC owners who use shortcuts run into the same conflicts, even though Microsoft created both their operating system and Office software. But regardless of the operating system, it takes just a bit to remember the shortcuts you use the most. Soon, you'll apply them without having to think about them.
To quickly memorise the most useful (to you) shortcuts, try the 3-2-1 method:
Memorise 3 global shortcuts, 2 app-specific shortcuts, and one power move each week.
📃 References
- Blake, Alex. “macOS Cheat Sheet: How Many Mac Keyboard Shortcuts Do You Know?” Macworld, 20 Aug. 2026, www.macworld.com/article/3144751/macos-cheat-sheet-mac-keyboard-shortcuts.html. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.
- Sarma, Swagat. “Keyboard Shortcuts Not Working in Excel, Word, PowerPoint or Outlook on Mac? Fixes That Work.” MacCove, 8 Oct. 2026, maccove.com/blog/office-for-mac-keyboard-shortcuts-not-working. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.
- Thornsby, Jessica . How to Type Accented Characters on Your Mac. 28 June 2017, www.chriswrites.com/type-accented-characters-mac/. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.
- Recoverit Editorial Team. “Where Is Mac Finder & How to Use It - Mac Tutorial [2025].” Wondershare Recoverit, 2025, recoverit.wondershare.com/mac-tips/mac-finder-tutorial-mac.html. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.
- Paridhi. “Uses of Computer in Daily Life: 20 Examples.” Sunbeam World School, 25 Aug. 2026, sunbeamworldschool.com/blog/uses-of-computer-in-daily-life/. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.
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