Mac users, are you tired of constantly reaching for your mouse or trackpad to navigate your desktop or perform simple tasks? Look no further than our printable list of Mac keyboard shortcuts! With just a few keystrokes, you can streamline your workflow and become a more efficient user. Let’s explore some of our favorite keyboard shortcuts below:
Command + C and Command + V: Copy and Paste
We can all agree that copying and pasting text is an essential part of navigating our computers. Instead of using your mouse to right-click and select “copy” or “paste,” try using the Command + C and Command + V shortcuts, respectively. Simply highlight the text you’d like to copy, press Command + C, move your cursor to where you’d like to paste, and press Command + V. Voila! Your text has been successfully copied and pasted without ever having to touch your mouse. 
Command + Space: Spotlight Search
Trying to locate a specific file or program on your Mac can be a daunting task, especially if you have a lot of content saved on your machine. Luckily, the Spotlight Search feature can make your life much easier. To access Spotlight Search, simply press Command + Space. From here, you can type in the name of the file or program you’re looking for and Spotlight will populate a list of matches for you. No more endless scrolling through folders and menus! Pro tip: try typing in a specific keyword related to the file you’re looking for to narrow down your search results even further.
Option + Shift + Volume Up/Volume Down: Precise Volume Control
Have you ever been listening to music or watching a video and found that the volume level is either too loud or too quiet, but the standard volume controls in your toolbar are too imprecise? Look no further than the Option + Shift + Volume Up and Volume Down shortcuts. By using these shortcuts, you can adjust your volume in increments of 1/4 of a notch, providing much more precise control over your audio levels. Command + Tab: Application Switcher
If you’re like most users, you likely have several applications running at once on your Mac. Instead of toggling between each application using your mouse, try using the Command + Tab shortcut to access the Application Switcher. This shortcut allows you to cycle through all open applications with ease, making it a breeze to switch between tasks and stay organized. 
Control + Command + Q: Locking your Mac
Taking a break from your work and stepping away from your Mac for a bit? Make sure to use the Control + Command + Q shortcut to lock your machine and prevent anyone else from accessing your content. This shortcut is especially useful if you work in a shared space or you need to step away from your computer briefly but want to ensure your information is secure. Pro tip: try enabling the “Require Password Immediately After Sleep or Screen Saver Begins” feature in your Security & Privacy preferences for added security.
Shift + Command + N: Creating a New Folder
Organizing your files and folders on your desktop is a great way to stay on top of your workflow and keep your machine running smoothly. Instead of manually creating new folders every time you need to organize new content, try using the Shift + Command + N shortcut. By pressing these keys together, you can quickly create a new folder and give it a name right from your desktop. Option + Command + Esc: Force Quit Applications
We’ve all been there: an application freezes or stops responding, leaving us with no choice but to force quit the program. Instead of digging through menus to manually force quit programs, try using the Option + Command + Esc shortcut. This shortcut provides quick access to the Force Quit Applications menu, allowing you to quickly close any unresponsive programs and get back to your work. Pro tip: try using the Activity Monitor (located in your Applications > Utilities folder) to monitor your system’s performance and identify any programs that may be causing issues.
Control + Shift + Power Button: Putting your Mac to Sleep
Ready to call it a day and put your Mac to sleep? Instead of navigating through menus to access the Sleep function, try using the Control + Shift + Power Button shortcut. By pressing these keys together, you can quickly put your Mac to sleep and save energy in the process. Pro tip: try enabling the “Put Hard Disks to Sleep When Possible” feature in your Energy Saver preferences to save even more energy.
These are just a few of our favorite Mac keyboard shortcuts, but there are plenty more to explore. We hope this printable list helps you streamline your workflow and become a more efficient Mac user. Happy shortcutting!
