Get comfortable with shortcuts, gestures and windows

Recognize the keys

A shortcut is a key combination that runs a command without looking for it in the menus. Menus show these symbols next to commands.

• Command uses the ⌘ symbol.
• Option may also say Alt.
• Shift uses the ⇧ symbol.
• Control uses the ⌃ symbol.

To use a shortcut, hold the modifier keys and press the final key once.

Start with six everyday shortcuts

• Copy and paste: Command + C and Command + V. To undo a supported action, Command + Z.
• Save: Command + S. Check the name and the folder; saving without knowing where does not help you find it later.
• Switch apps: hold Command and press Tab until the app you want is selected; release Command to switch.
• Search inside a document or a web page: Command + F. This searches the open content; Spotlight searches a different scope.
• Close the window: Command + W. Quit the app: Command + Q. Save your changes before quitting.
• Open a tab in a supported app, such as Safari: Command + T. To open a new window, Command + N.

Arrange your windows and use gestures

On a compatible trackpad, scrolling with two fingers moves the content and spreading two fingers may enlarge a photo or page. Review the gesture examples in System Settings, under Trackpad; finger counts and actions can be customized.

• Mission Control brings your open windows together so you can choose one. To open it, swipe up with three fingers on the trackpad or press Control + Up Arrow; to leave, swipe down.
• To work side by side, hold the pointer over the green button, in the upper-left corner of the window, without clicking. In the menu that appears, click a layout below Fill & Arrange. The same options are in the Window menu, under Move & Resize.
• Full screen may create a separate space.
• Command + H hides the active app's windows and Command + M minimizes a supported window.

To return to a hidden or minimized window, use the Dock or Command + Tab. Hiding and minimizing do not delete documents.

Find special characters

Your keyboard layout determines where characters such as @ and ñ are located. Two tools help with special characters.

• Keyboard Viewer: click the Input menu in the menu bar and choose Show Keyboard Viewer. It shows on screen which character each key types.
• Emoji & Symbols: it is in the Edit menu of the app you are typing in.

Keep this quick reference at hand

Command + Comma commonly opens the app's settings.

For every shortcut, grouped by app, see our guide Mac keyboard shortcuts.