Common Shortcuts

Question 1

Command-X

Answer 1

Cut the selected item and copy it to the Clipboard.

Question 2

Command-C

Answer 2

Copy the selected item to the Clipboard. This also works for files in the Finder.

Question 3

Command-V

Answer 3

Paste the contents of the Clipboard into the current document or app. This also works for files in the Finder.

Question 4

Command-Z

Answer 4

Undo the previous command. You can then press Shift-Command-Z to Redo; reversing the undo command. In some apps; you can undo and redo multiple commands.

Question 5

Command-A

Answer 5

Select All items.

Question 6

Command-F

Answer 6

Find items in a document or open a Find window.

Question 7

Command-G

Answer 7

Find Again. Find the next occurrence of the item previously found. To find the previous occurrence; press Shift-Command-G.

Question 8

Command-H

Answer 8

Hide the windows of the front app. To view the front app but hide all other apps; press Option-Command-H.

Question 9

Command-M

Answer 9

Minimize the front window to the Dock. To minimize all windows of the front app; press Option-Command-M.

Question 10

Command-O

Answer 10

Open the selected item; or open a dialog to select a file to open.

Question 11

Command-P

Answer 11

Print the current document.

Question 12

Command-S

Answer 12

Save the current document.

Question 13

Command-T

Answer 13

Open a new tab.

Question 14

Command-W

Answer 14

Close the front window. To close all windows of the app; press Option-Command-W.

Question 15

Option-Command-Esc

Answer 15

Force quit an app.

Question 16

Command–Space bar

Answer 16

Show or hide the Spotlight search field. To perform a Spotlight search from a Finder window; press Command–Option–Space bar. (If you use multiple input sources to type in different languages; these shortcuts change input sources instead of showing Spotlight. Learn how to change a conflicting keyboard shortcut.)

Question 17

Control–Command–Space bar

Answer 17

Show the Character Viewer; from which you can choose emoji and other symbols.

Question 18

Control-Command-F

Answer 18

Use the app in full screen; if supported by the app.

Question 19

Space bar

Answer 19

Use Quick Look to preview the selected item.

Question 20

Command-Tab

Answer 20

Switch to the next most recently used app among your open apps.

Question 21

Shift-Command-5

Answer 21

In macOS Mojave or later; take a screenshot or make a screen recording. Or use Shift-Command-3 or Shift-Command-4 for screenshots. Learn more about screenshots.

Question 22

Shift-Command-N

Answer 22

Create a new folder in the Finder.

Question 23

Command-Comma (,)

Answer 23

Open preferences for the front app.