Search the mac keyboard shortcut page. Everyone should remember this
You can't cut files in OS X. You can move them only by dragging or copying and pasting and then deleting the sources. But if you really want to, then you can.
To do this, we simply copy the desired file, but paste it into new folder not as usual, using a keyboard shortcut ⌘+V(Command + V), and also while holding down the key ⌥ (Option). A similar trick works in a similar way for the menu bar: when you hold down the key ⌥ (Option) the “Insert object” item will change to “Move object”, which is what we need.
Deleting files without moving them to the trash
By default, all files after deletion go to the trash, from where they can be restored or deleted permanently. To avoid having to do more later, files can be deleted immediately.
To do this, instead of combining ⌘ + ⌫ (Command + Delete) should be used ⌥ + ⌘ + ⌫ (Option + Command + Delete). Through the menu bar, the same can be done by holding ⌥ (Option) and selecting “File” - “Delete immediately”.
Clear Safari History
Browser history is a delicate thing that needs to be cleared from time to time, if only to increase performance. However, along with the history, it also deletes cookies and settings of visited sites, which, you see, is not always necessary.
And again he saves us magic key Option. Hold it down, open the “History” menu and select the changed item “Clear history, but save site data.” Ready!
Restarting Finder
The only OS X program that cannot be terminated is . However, situations when it needs to be restarted sometimes still arise (for example, for some changes to take effect).
The easiest way to do this is to call context menu by right-clicking on the Finder icon in the dock, but, as you probably already guessed, not just like that, but by holding down the key ⌥ (Option).
Copying the path to a file or folder
Want to paste the direct path to a file in an application? No problem!
Go to the folder with the required file(or another folder) and open the menu by right click. Now click ⌥ (Option), and, as if by magic, it will appear new item- “Copy the path to...”.
Quick transition to the “Library”
"Library" is a folder containing various user data and settings. You can get into it through the Finder, but it’s much easier and faster to do it using our favorite key ⌥ (Option).
In Finder, open the Go menu and hold ⌥ (Option), select “Library”.
Turn on Do Not Disturb mode
At work, the first thing you need to do is turn off notifications, but to do this you don’t have to swipe the notification center shade and click the corresponding toggle switch. This is not life hacking.
It's better to just click on the notification center icon in the menu bar while holding down the you-know-what key. :)
Changes the default application for certain files
OS X can open all popular file types in standard applications. If you have several applications installed to open certain types of files, then to select them as default programs, you do not need to wander through the settings and look for the corresponding item there. There is a more convenient way.
You just need to open Finder and right-click on the file and click ⌥ (Option). After this, the “Open in the program” item will change to “Always open in the program”, and we will only have to select the right application from the drop-down list. The same can be done through the “File” item in the menu bar.
Saving a file
When editing files, OS X treats them very carefully and offers to write all changes to a duplicate. But if you just need to save your progress in another file, you can use the “hidden” command.
In the "File" menu you need to press the key ⌥ (Option) and select the “Save As” item that appears. Those who prefer should remember the combination ⌥ + ⇧ + ⌘ + S(Option + Shift + Command + S).
Precise adjustment of brightness, key backlight and volume
The display brightness, volume and key backlight adjustment scale has 16 levels. Sometimes this is enough, and sometimes it is not.
You can reduce the change step if the function keys F1 - F2, F5 - F6, F10 - F11 add combination ⇧ + ⌥ (Shift + Option). In this case, each division of the scale will be further divided into four parts.
Entering special characters
You can type from the Emoji & Symbols panel, which is hidden in the Keyboard menu. Collected there full table characters, divided into categories. If this method does not appeal to you, there is another.
Using the key ⌥ (Option) you can quickly enter various special characters directly from the keyboard. For example, the combination ⇧ + ⌥ + K(Shift + Option + K) enters a character , which you see in the menu bar all the time. In the same way, you can enter currency symbols, arithmetic operations and any others. Until you remember the location of the symbols, you can peek by turning on the display on-screen keyboard(click on the input source icon, then “Show Keyboard Panel”).
Show all subfolders in Finder
Viewing files in list mode is quite convenient. The only annoying thing is having to manually open each subfolder. But this trouble can also be overcome if you don’t forget about the Option key.
All you need to do is press the main folder arrow while holding ⌥ (Option), and the entire folder tree will appear in front of you.
Skip duplicate files when copying
When you copy files that are already there into a folder, a dialog box appears asking you to leave both files, replace them, or stop the copying process.
Actually there is another one hidden option: The option to skip copying the duplicate file appears if you press the Option key in the dialog box.
Deselecting objects
You are probably familiar with the keyboard shortcut ⌘+A(Command + A), which works in all applications and allows you to select all elements or content. Finder has the opposite of this action.
To deselect objects, be they files or folders, press the same combination, but adding the key ⌥ (Option). Like this: ⌥ + ⌘ + A(Option + Command + A).
Hiding windows and forcing applications to quit
Unlike Windows, in OS X applications can have multiple windows, and if you need to show any of them while hiding the others, you can easily do this using the dock icon. And, of course, Option keys. :)
By right-clicking on the application icon, you need to press ⌥ (Option) and select “Hide Others”. The “Force Quit” option will also appear there, which will allow you to close the frozen application.
Opening settings for various functions
Display, sound, keyboard and Mission Control can be changed from standard settings, or perhaps in a simpler way.
To call up options such as the display, simply press ⌥+F1(Option + F1). For other functions - by analogy with this - you should use the combination ⌥+F3(Option + F3) ⌥+F5(Option + F5) and so on.
Display detailed network information
If you click on the icon in the menu bar, a list of available networks and several settings options will open. However, you can also view here detailed information about active network Wi-Fi including connection speed, IP and Mac address and more.
You probably already understood what you need to do for this, but just in case I’ll say: you need to click on the Wi-Fi icon while holding down the key ⌥ (Option).
Switch to slideshow mode in Quick Look
Function Quick Look, which allows you to browse files by pressing the space bar, is one of my favorite Finder features. It would seem that there is nothing to improve here, but no, the ubiquitous Option key is noted here too.
I'm talking about the slide show mode, to go to which you need to expand the preview window to full screen or launch it through the context menu. So: if you need to quickly view several images in slideshow mode, just select them in the Finder and press not just the space bar, but ⌥ + Space(Option + Space).
Opening Dropbox Settings
Clicking the Dropbox icon in the menu bar displays latest files. To get into the settings, you need to additionally click on the gear in the pop-up window.
If unnecessary gestures are not part of your plans, then to open the settings, click on the icon in the menu bar while holding ⌥ (Option), and everything will be much faster.
Skip confirmation dialogs
When you restart your Mac, the system thoughtfully asks you if you need to open everything running applications after entering. Without a doubt this useful feature, but sometimes she's annoying.
To avoid dialogs confirming your actions, all you need to do is hold down the key ⌥ (Option) when you click on the “Restart” button.
Bonus
Hopefully, after reading this article, you'll be using the Option key a lot more often. If its location seems inconvenient to you, there is good news: Useful Option key can be reassigned to practically useless one Caps Lock. It is larger in size and located more conveniently.
There are no secrets here. Absolutely. Everything is done standard means through the keyboard settings. The option we need is located on the “Keyboard” tab, where you should click the “Modification keys” button and specify in the drop-down list for Caps keys Lock is replaced by the Option key.
Keyboard on computers made by Apple slightly different from the standard one we are used to Windows users. First of all, there is no key with the “windows” logo; its place is taken by the Command key. The familiar Alt is also missing, its place is taken in Mac OS by the Option key. We will tell you about the opportunities that it opens up for users of Apple computers in this material.
Keyboard on Macs
Apple is both a manufacturer of its own brand of computers and a supplier software for them. No company in the world does this. This is what explains the differences between standard keyboard and used on Mac computers.
The number and letter series do not have significant differences. The layout used is almost entirely QWERTY, with a few exceptions. The letter “е” on them is located in a different place. Only the top row with control keys and the bottom row with the space bar are significantly different.
To the left of the space bar are located sequentially Command, Option, Control, Fn. To the right of it are Command, Option and an arrow block. Thus, the bottom row of keys contains the entire specific set that only uses apple keyboard. The Option key on a Mac is represented by a "⌥" icon and an "alt" sign. Modern models Keyboards with a butterfly mechanism have a larger key area and instead of an icon they contain the inscriptions “Option” and “alt”.
Option Features
Now you know what the Option key looks like on a Mac and where it is located. It's time to move on to studying its capabilities, which can help the user in a variety of situations, from loading to expanding the capabilities of the control menu in various programs.
It is Option, held down when bootstrap Mac computer, allows you to log in boot menu. Thus, this one key gives you the opportunity to select the drive from which the operating system will boot. When working with Windows using the built-in BootCamp manager as a second system, this key is simply irreplaceable. And the combination Option+Command+R will help you completely restore the OS if necessary.
Using keyboard shortcuts has always opened up more possibilities for users than working only with a graphical interface. In the next few sections, we'll go into more detail about where the Option key on a Mac can significantly add functionality or expand upon existing capabilities.
Fine tuning
The necessary buttons for quickly changing some system parameters, managing windows and multimedia are displayed on top line keyboards of computers running under Mac control OS X. Mastering the Option button in relation to changes in brightness and volume settings. By default, these values range from zero to a maximum of 16 positions. For example, if you turn down the brightness, then at the zero position the screen will be completely black.
When using the Shift+Option combination, pressing the brightness or volume button allows you to more fine tuning these system parameters. Each position out of sixteen will be divided into four. Thus, instead of 16 divisions, you get 64 at once. If the default values set by the system are not enough for you, you can always use this keyboard shortcut and adjust these values more precisely.
Selecting Applications
Another useful feature that the Option key has on a Mac is that it allows you to quickly set the default application for the selected file to open. Typically, users use the File Inspector to make this selection. He gives out full information about a file in one window, allows you to configure a number of parameters for it: quickly change access rights, change the name or extension, and, of course, set the application with which it will be associated.
In most cases this is convenient. All the file characteristics that you can work with are collected in one place. But there are situations when file associations need to be changed on the fly. In this case, using Option comes to the rescue. Once you hold it down, in the application selection menu for opening a file, the “Open in a program” item will change to “Always open in a program.”
Extra screen space
A feature of the Mac interface that makes it unmistakable is the Dock panel located at the bottom of the screen. It is always visible, and the windows of applications that open do not overlap it, opening only to its upper border. To prevent the user from being distracted from work, Mac provides the ability to transfer applications to full screen mode. In this case, the work area occupies the entire monitor. Top panel status and the lower Dock are not displayed unless you specifically move the cursor over them.
In the system settings, you can enable the option in which the bottom panel will automatically hide and appear. All these changes are permanent. In other words, you give the OS values that it will always use. Customizing system parameters for yourself is usually done only once. And this time the Option key will come to our aid.
On a Mac, using the keyboard shortcut Option+Command+D, you can hide and bring up the Dock without changing system parameters. We need more space on the screen - we removed the panel, there is a need to work with the programs located on it - we called it using a keyboard shortcut. In this case, you do not change anything in the settings.
Advanced menu
The most basic function that the Option key performs on a Mac is to expand menus. For example, if you click the Wi-Fi connection icon in the usual way, then only information about available networks. Using Option, the same icon will give you full information about the existing connection. You will be able to view network security settings, your IP address, router address, connection speed and much more. In the same way, the volume icon menu allows you to select the audio playback or recording device and go to advanced settings.
Almost any system menu with the Option button held down, changes the view, opening additional functions. Clicking it in the Navigation Pane of the Finder opens the Libraries folder, which is hidden from view by default. Context menu invoked for Finder in Dock, will allow you to restart it forcibly without having to call up the entire list of applications running on the system.
There are a lot of options for using this wonderful button in Mac OS. Anyone who wants to study in detail all the available keyboard shortcuts can view their list on the page technical support Apple and choose what you need and are easy to use.
Finally
From our material, you learned only some of the capabilities that the Option key provides. On a Mac, it is simply irreplaceable, and some believe that it is the study of its properties that makes you simple user a real "poppy farmer". Find out more about the possibilities operating system, which you use, you are already one foot on the path that will ultimately turn you into a confident user who can cope with any computer task.
Many people, after switching from Windows to Mac, do not think about the fact that functionality The Option (Alt) keys are much wider than you might imagine.
The convenience of working with this OS can be significantly expanded by combining this key with hot keys, a trackpad or a mouse. So, h What is the option button on Mac and what are its hidden capabilities?
View information about Time Machine, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi connection
Just hold down the ⌥Option (Alt) key and left-click on the corresponding icon in the menu bar - , Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
Activating Do Not Disturb mode
This mode involves hiding messages received by the user and disabling soundtrack. To activate, you need to hold down ⌥Option (Alt) and click on the Notification Center icon.
System information
Pressed button option button on Mac in combination with a left-click on Apple icon in the menu bar will open access to information about software startup logs, installed settings and software versions and hardware.
Cutting and pasting files
To cut and paste a file, you just need to copy it, but paste it not as usual (Command + V), but also with the Option key held down. For menu bar this secret works the same way - hold down Option and the insertion point changes to move.
Quick access to the Library
It's simple: after opening Finder, select Go from the menu bar and hold down Option (Alt).
Fine-tune volume, key backlight and brightness settings
The display brightness has 16 levels of adjustment, but if this is not enough for you, add the Shift + Option command to the function keys F1 - F2, F5 - F6, F10 - F11 and each scale will be divided into 4 more sectors.
Restarting Finder
Using the option (alt) button on Mac will restart Finder even faster. Just click right click mouse after holding down Option and select Restart.
Activate slideshow mode in Quick Look
To view in this mode several images, you need to select them in the Finder and use the Option + Space command.
Skip duplicate files when copying
Typically, when repeating copied files, the dialog box offers three options - stop the process, replace the files, or leave both. To activate the fourth option - skip the duplicate file, you must press Option in the dialog box.
Deleting files permanently
Usually deleted files are moved to the trash, but to get rid of them permanently, use the combination Option + Command + Delete.
Merge folder contents
When copying identical folders, the new one replaces the old one and old files are deleted, but to merge files in two folders, you should hold down the left mouse button, hold down Option and drag the desired folder to the one with which you want to merge it. You will see the corresponding command in the dialog box.
Clear Safari History
Clearing history involves deleting settings for sites you visit and cookies, but if you don't need this, open History while holding Option and you will see the option "Clear history but keep site data."
Default assignment to specific program files
If they don't suit you preinstalled programs, select the desired file, hold down Option and right-click on it. The “Always open in program” option will appear in the menu.
Path to folder or file
To copy the path of a folder or file, right-click on the object and, after displaying the context menu, press Option (Alt). Instead of the “Copy” item, “Copy path to” will appear.
Resizing a Window
Pressing and holding the Option key will resize the window proportionally.
Quick shutdown and reboot
Simply hold Option while shutting down or rebooting and you can skip the undo or confirm dialog box.
The possibilities of Option (Alt) do not end there. It is enough to hold down the key in question while pressing the menu of other programs or icons and you will learn about other hidden functions.
Hotkeys are keys or key combinations that you can press on your keyboard to perform a wide variety of tasks. Since in most cases both of your hands are on the keyboard, performing an action using hotkeys is faster than using the mouse.
Keyboard shortcuts are often universal, meaning that once you become familiar with them in one application, you can use them in many other applications. For example, you can use text editor keyboard shortcuts to paste and copy text to perform similar actions in an email program, VKontakte, blog, etc.
Hotkeys are different in Windows and Mac OS X. In this tutorial we will look at the most commonly used combinations of both systems.
Many keyboard shortcuts require you to press multiple keys in a specific order. For example, to use Ctrl+X, press and hold the Ctrl key and then press and release the X key.
In many applications you will find them next to menu items. In some applications, e.g. Microsoft Word, you can hover your mouse over a button to display its keyboard shortcut.
Keyboard shortcuts can help when working with text, files, applications and the Internet. On Windows, most shortcuts use the Ctrl or Alt keys.
Work with text
These keyboard shortcuts are convenient to use when working in text editors, mail programs, in social networks(such as VKontakte). They help you perform the most repetitive tasks: copying and pasting text, highlighting it in bold.
You can use keyboard shortcuts to open, close, and switch between applications. When working with files (for example, Microsoft documents Word), keyboard shortcuts can be used to create new files, search for words, print.
Using hotkeys on the Internet/browser
The keyboard shortcut can also be used to navigate the browser. Many shortcuts are useful for working with text on the Internet, such as highlighting, copying and pasting text into address bar browser. Because browsers vary, using some keyboard shortcuts may produce different results.
Using the Alt key to navigate menus
When you press Alt key, then you get access to all menu items current application. This means that you can perform almost any task with just the keyboard. For example, type Alt + F + Z to exit the application. When using this shortcut, you do not have to hold down the Alt key.
Perform the following tasks using keyboard shortcuts :
- Open the Start menu.
- Go to a text editor such as Microsoft Word.
- Open the application and type a few lines of text.
- Highlight a few words. Make them bold and written in italics.
- Save the document.
- Close the application.
Try keyboard shortcuts to perform the following tasks in your browser:
- Open a new window.
- Go to the address bar.
- Enter the page address. For example, www.weather.com.
- Bookmark this page.
- Copy the address.
- Close your browser.
Many of the keyboard shortcuts for Mac OS X are the same as those in Windows. However, instead of the Ctrl and Alt keys, the Mac keyboard has Control, Option, Command keys.
If you don't use a Mac keyboard, you may not have Command or Option keys. Then you will need to experiment to find combinations for some actions.
Work with text
These hotkeys are convenient to use when working in text editors, email programs, and social networks (such as Twitter). They help you perform the most repetitive tasks: copying and pasting text, highlighting it in bold.
Working with files and applications
You can use the keys to open, close, and switch between applications. When working with files (for example, Microsoft Word documents), keyboard shortcuts can be used to create new files, search for words, and print.
Internet/browser keyboard shortcut
The keyboard shortcut can also be used to navigate the browser. Many keyboard shortcuts are useful for working with text on the Internet, such as highlighting, copying, and pasting text into the browser's address bar. Because browsers vary, using some keyboard shortcuts may produce different results.
Try the exercise right now.
Open text editor, such as Microsoft Word or TextEdit, type a few lines of text and perform the following tasks using keyboard shortcuts:
- Highlight a few words. Make them bold.
- Disable italic formatting.
- Find a word or phrase in the document.
- Save the document.
- Close the application.
If you have trouble adding formatting in TextEdit, go to the Format menu and select Make Rich Text.
Perform the following tasks in your browser using keyboard shortcuts:
- Open a new window.
- Go to the address bar.
- Enter the page address. For example, www.pinterest.com.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page, then back to the top.
- Bookmark this page.
- Copy the address.
- Open new tab, paste the copied link into the address bar.
- Close your browser.
If you think Mac and PC keyboards are exactly the same, you'll be surprised when you start using Mac. The letter keys, fortunately, are in their usual places, as well as such function keys as Esc, Tab, Caps Lock, Shift, Home, End, Page Up, Page Down. On full-size keyboards, you'll also find a number pad.
But then there is confusion and hesitation... How do the Command and Options keys work? Do the Control keys on a Mac keyboard and the Ctrl keys on Windows perform the same functions? What is the Return key? Here short review these and other standard keys on the Mac keyboard, which will help you get rid of confusion:
Command. This is the main special key, which is part of the so-called “hot” key combinations: you press it, hold it, press one or two other keys and thus launch required process. Are you familiar with Windows? combination Ctrl+ S to save the document. The Ctrl key is a special key. The vast majority of keyboard shortcuts involve Command, so the closest analogy to Ctrl is Windows environment on Mac it will be Command. To save a document, use the combination Command + S.
Option. This is another utility key that is mainly used in combination with Command. For example, in most programs that have a Toolbar, you can hide or show it using Option + Command + T.
Control. Rarely used. You can, for example, reboot your Mac by pressing Control + Command + Eject. It is mainly used to display a context menu of a selected object, such as a file. To do this, you need to hold the key pressed and click once on the object of interest.
Return. This is the Windows equivalent of the Enter button. On keyboards with a numeric keypad you will see Enter key, whose functions are absolutely identical to Return.
Delete. Acts similarly to the Backspace button in Windows, that is, it erases the character to the left of the cursor. Don't confuse it with Delete button in Windows, which removes the character to the right of the cursor!
Foward Delete ([x>). Works exactly the same as Delete in Windows, that is, it deletes the character to the right of the cursor. Note that the Forward Delete key appears only on number pad and is indicated by the symbol. This will help avoid confusion.
Fn. Used to work with function keys. For example, on one of the top row keys you will find a schematic representation of a speaker without sound waves and designation F10. By pressing this key you can turn the speaker sound off and on, and in combination with the Fn key, you can launch additional program functions that are “linked” to the F10 key.
Navigation keys. The Page Up, Page Down, Home, and End arrow keys, always present on full-size keyboards, work exactly the same as in Windows. On portable keyboards, the last four keys are not present, and their functions are available through combinations of Fn and arrow keys: Fn + up arrow - Page Up, down - Page Down, left - Home, right - End.
Eject (±). By pressing this key, you will remove the CD from the drive (sometimes you need to hold this button for a couple of seconds).
Function keys. This is the top row of keys from F1 to F19 and with icons additional features. On most modern keyboards The last key in the row is F12. In table 1.1 are given standard features keys from F1 to F12, relevant for most modern Mac keyboards.
It is, of course, difficult to remember all these combinations, so the corresponding keyboard shortcuts are given in the drop-down menus after the commands. For example, the View menu commands Finder programs(“Icons”, “List”, “Columns”, Cover Flow) correspond to the keyboard shortcuts Command + 1... Command + 4. Pay attention to the “Hide Toolbar” command: notice an unfamiliar icon?
Open apple menu and take a look at the keyboard shortcuts. You won't find such icons on your keyboard even with a magnifying glass. But I will help you deal with them. In table 1.2 shows the symbols and their corresponding keys.
What do the key symbols mean for the Force Quit and Log Out commands?
The best way to remember all these keys is to keep the virtual keyboard turned on at all times.
To activate it, do the following:
1. Launch from the Dock " System Settings» (System Preferences). The system settings window will appear.
2. Click the Language & Text icon. The Language and Text settings window will open.
3. Switch to the Input Sources tab and check the box next to Keyboard & Character.
4. Check the box next to “Show input menu in the menu bar.”
5. Click the Close button to exit System Preferences.
6. Click on the input menu icon in the “Menu Bar”.
7. Select Show Keyboard Viewer. The Keyboard panel will appear (though the layout of the Keyboard panel will vary depending on your Mac).