MacBook For Dummies

From MacBook For Dummies, 4th Edition by Mark L. Chambers

Your MacBook keyboard puts efficiency at your fingertips. Startup keys, shortcut key combinations, and special function keys invite you to perform different tasks with a single touch — from turning up the sound volume to deleting selected text.

Finder Shortcuts for Your MacBook Keyboard

Keyboard shortcuts help you make quick, efficient use of the OS X Finder on your MacBook. Key combinations provide all kinds of options for performing common tasks on your Apple laptop.

Key	Function
Command+A	Selects all items in the active window
Command+C	Copies selected items
Command+D	Duplicates the selected items
Command+E	Ejects the selected volume
Command+F	Displays the Find dialog
Command+H	Hides all Finder windows
Command+I	Shows info for selected items
Command+J	Shows the view options for the active window
Command+K	Displays the Connect to Server dialog
Command+L	Creates an alias for the selected item
Command+M	Minimizes the active window
Command+N	Opens a new Finder window
Command+O	Opens (or launches) the selected item
Command+R	Shows the original for the selected alias
Command+T	Adds the selected item to the sidebar
Command+V	Pastes items from the clipboard
Command+W	Closes the active window
Command+X	Cuts the selected items
Command+Z	Undoes the last action (if possible)
Command+,	Displays Finder Preferences
Command+1	Shows the active window in icon mode
Command+2	Shows the active window in list mode
Command+3	Shows the active window in column mode
Command+4	Shows the active window in Cover Flow mode
Command+[	Moves back to the previous Finder location
Command+]	Moves forward to the next Finder location
Command+Del	Moves selected items to the trash
Command+up arrow	Shows enclosed folder
Command+`	Cycles through windows
Command+Shift+?	Displays the OS X Help Center
Command+Shift+A	Takes you to your Applications folder
Command+Shift+C	Takes you to the top-level computer location
Command+Shift+G	Takes you to a folder that you specify
Command+Shift+H	Takes you to your Home folder
Command+Shift+Q	Logs you out
Command+Shift+N	Opens a new untitled folder in the active window
Command+Shift+U	Takes you to your Utilities folder
Command+Shift+Del	Deletes the contents of the trash
Command+Option+Esc	Displays the Force Quit Applications dialog
Command+Option+H	Hides all windows except the Finder window
Command+Option+N	Opens a new Smart Folder
Command+Option+T	Hides the Finder window toolbar
Hold Power	Restarts your laptop if it locks up
Control+Up Arrow/F3	Uses Mission Control to show all open windows
Control+Down Arrow/Control+F3	Uses Mission Control to show all open windows for the current application
Control+Right Arrow/Control+Left Arrow	Uses Mission Control to move between multiple spaces
Command+F3/F11	Uses Mission Control to hide all windows and display the desktop
F4	Displays your Dashboard widgets

Standard MacBook Function Keys You Should Know

Some MacBook keys display symbols you may not have seen on a computer keyboard before. Here’s a handy reference for what those function keys can do for you on your Apple laptop.

Startup Keys: More Power to Your MacBook Keyboard

Some keys and keyboard combinations on your MacBook were born for Startup magic — either to get your Apple laptop booted up, help troubleshoot computer problems, or perform other technical tricks within Mountain Lion.

Key	Effect on Your Mac
C	Boots from the CD or DVD that’s loaded in your optical drive (if you have one)
Media Eject	Ejects the CD or DVD in your optical drive (if you have one)
Option	Displays a system boot menu allowing you to choose the operating system
Shift	Runs your MacBook in Safe Mode, preventing your Login Items from running; runs a directory check
T	Starts your laptop in FireWire or Thunderbolt Target Disk mode
Command+V	Show OS X Console messages
Command+S	Starts your Mac in Single User Mode
Command+Option+P+R	Resets Parameter RAM (PRAM)