MacOS Keyboard Shortcuts

General Shortcuts

• Command + Q: Quits the application you're currently using.
• Command + Shift + Q: Quits the currently active application and logs out of any open sessions.
• Command + W: Closes the active window.
• Command + H: Hides the active application.
• Command + Shift + H: Shows all hidden applications.
• Command + Tab: Quickly switches between currently open applications.
• Command + Space: Opens Spotlight search.
• Command + ;: Opens Emoji & Symbols menu.

Navigation Shortcuts

• Command + Up Arrow: Moves the cursor to the top of the document.
• Command + Down Arrow: Moves the cursor to the bottom of the document.
• Command + Left Arrow: Moves the cursor to the beginning of the line.
• Command + Right Arrow: Moves the cursor to the end of the line.
• Command + Option + Left Arrow: Moves the cursor to the beginning of the document.
• Command + Option + Right Arrow: Moves the cursor to the end of the document.
• Command + G: Opens the "Go to" dialog box to navigate to a specific line number.
• Command + L: Selects the entire line.

Editing Shortcuts

• Command + A: Selects all.
• Command + X: Cuts the selected text or content to the clipboard.
• Command + C: Copies the selected text or content to the clipboard.
• Command + V: Pastes the content from the clipboard.
• Command + Z: Undoes the last action.
• Command + Shift + Z: Redoes the last undone action.
• Command + Delete: Deletes to the right of the insertion point.
• Option + Delete: Deletes to the left of the insertion point.
• Command + F: Opens the "Find" dialog box.
• Command + Shift + F: Opens the "Find and Replace" dialog box.
• Command + Option + Up Arrow: Goes to the previous word.
• Command + Option + Down Arrow: Goes to the next word.

Text Formatting Shortcuts

• Command + B: Bold selected text.
• Command + I: Italicizes selected text.
• Command + U: Underlines selected text.
• Command + Shift + F (on a standard English keyboard): Finds the current word in the document.
• Command + D: Duplicates the selected text or content.
• Command + Shift + V: Pastes the content from the clipboard as plain text.
• Command + Y: Redo/repeat the last command.
• Command + ,: Opens the Character Viewer.
• Command + Option + F: Opens the Find & Replace dialog and sets the Find what field to the selected text.

File Management Shortcuts

• Command + N: Opens a new window for the current application.
• Command + O: Opens an existing file.
• Command + S: Saves the current document.
• Command + Shift + S: Saves the current document as.
• Command + P: Prints the current document.
• Command + Option + S or Command + Shift + Option + S: Saves the current document as in a different format.
• Command + Shift + O: Opens a file in a new window.

Other Useful Shortcuts

• Command + Option + Escape: Force quits an application.
• Command + Shift + 3: Captures a screenshot of the entire screen.
• Command + Shift + 4: Captures a screenshot of a selected area.
• Command + Shift + 5: Opens the screenshot menu.

Application Specific Shortcuts

• Various applications have their own unique shortcuts. Consult the application's help documentation or the "Shortcuts" menu for specific shortcuts.
• Many of the above shortcuts are also applicable within other applications; you will likely see similar behaviors and function across many of the applications.

Additional Notes

• Some shortcuts might require specific key combinations based on the different keyboards' layout or settings.
• Keyboard shortcuts may sometimes vary based on the macOS version being used by the user.
• Familiarize yourself with the shortcuts for frequently used actions to improve productivity.
• Many apps and operating systems utilize a similar structure of command keys; learning commands on one platform may easily translate to another.

Test your knowledge of essential MacOS keyboard shortcuts with this quiz. From quitting applications to navigating documents, these shortcuts can improve your productivity. See how well you can remember them!