- Arrow Key: Move your cursor left or right.
- Alt-Left Arrow or Alt-Right Arrow: Move the cursor left or right by word.
- Cmd-Left Arrow or Cmd-Right Arrow: Move the cursor to the left or right of the current line.
- Alt-Up Arrow or Alt-Down Arrow: Move the cursor to the begining or or end of the current paragraph.
- Cmd-Up Arrow or Cmd-Down Arrow: Move the cursor to the begining or end of the document.
- Shift plus the above: Select text from here to the destination.
Mac Keyboard Shortcuts
Mac Keyboard Shortcuts
There are lots of keyboard shortcuts available to use on a Mac. Below I have picked out a few that I consider the most useful to begin with. For a longer list that is relevant to the specific application you’re in I recommend installing CheatSheet.
Text formatting
Bold, italic and underline
Keyboard Shortcut | What it does |
---|---|
Command-B | Bold the selected text |
Command-I | IDisplay the selected text in Italics |
Command-U | Underline the selected text |
Text and file operations
Cut, copy and paste
Keyboard Shortcut | What it does |
---|---|
Command-X | Cut the selected text / item |
Command-C | Copy the selected text / item |
Command-V | Paste the selected text / item |
Select all, undo, duplicate
Keyboard Shortcut | What it does |
---|---|
Command-A | Select all text / items |
Command-Z | Undo |
Command-D | Duplicates the selected text / item |
Open a tab, hide or close a window
Keyboard Shortcut | What it does |
---|---|
Command-T | Open a new tab |
Command-H | Hide a window |
Command-W | Close a window |
Operating system
Delete, Preview, Spotlight
Keyboard Shortcut | What it does |
---|---|
Command-Backspace | Delete the selected item |
Spacebar | Preview the selected item |
Command-Spacebar | Lauch Spotlight to search your Mac, the Internet or perform calculations |
Cycle through and quit and force quit
Keyboard Shortcut | What it does |
---|---|
Command-Tab | Displays open apps, tap tab repeatedly to cycle through |
Command-Q | Quit the active app |
Command-Alt-Esc | Presents the Force Quit menu |