MacBook For Dummies
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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.

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Finder Shortcuts for Your MacBook Keyboard

Keyboard shortcuts help you make quick, efficient use of the macOS Finder on your MacBook, providing all kinds of options for performing common tasks within Big Sur.

Key Function
Command+A Selects all items in the active window (icon view), all items in the column (column view), or all items in the list (list view and Cover Flow view)
Command+C Copies the selected items
Command+D Duplicates the selected item or items
Command+E Ejects the selected volume
Command+F Displays the Find controls in a new Finder window
Command+H Hides All Finder windows
Command+I Shows info for the selected item or 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 Opens a new Finder tab
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 dialog
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+Delete Moves selected items to the Trash
Command+Up Arrow Shows the enclosing folder
Command+` Cycles through windows
Command+/ Shows/Hides Status bar
Command+? Displays macOS Help search box
Command+Shift+A Goes to your Applications folder
Command+Shift+C Goes to the top-level Computer location
Command+Shift+G Goes to the specified folder
Command+Shift+H Goes to your Home folder
Command+Shift+Q Logs you out
Command+Shift+N Creates a new untitled folder in the active window
Command+Shift+P Shows/Hides Preview pane
Command+Shift+T Shows/Hides Tab bar
Command+Shift+U Goes to your Utilities folder
Command+Shift+Del Deletes the contents of the Trash
Command+Option+H Hides all windows (except Finder windows)
Command+Option+I Opens the Inspector for the selected items
Command+Option+N Creates a new smart folder
Command+Option+T Shows/Hides the Finder window toolbar and sidebar
Command+Space Displays the Spotlight search box
Control+Up Arrow Displays the Mission Control screen
Control+Down Arrow Shows all open windows for the current application using Mission Control
Command+F3 Hides all windows to display the Desktop using Mission Control
Spacebar Displays the contents of a file using Quick Look

 

Standard MacBook Function Keys You Should Know

Some MacBook keys (or buttons on the Touch Bar) display symbols you may not have seen on a computer keyboard before. Here’s a handy reference for what functions those keys perform on your Apple laptop.

Too-Cool Function Keys

MacBook function keys

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 Big Sur. This table lists the most common startup keys and key combinations you’ll use with your MacBook.

Key Effect on Your Mac
C Boots from the CD or DVD that’s loaded in your optical drive (if you have one) or a bootable USB flash drive
Option Displays a system boot menu allowing you to choose the operating system and/or volume
Shift Runs your MacBook in Safe Mode, preventing your Login Items from launching; runs a directory check
T Starts your laptop in Thunderbolt Target Disk mode
Command+R Boots from the Big Sur Recovery HD
Command+Option+R Boots Big Sur Recovery using your Internet connection
Command+V Show macOS Console messages
Command+S Starts your MacBook in Single User Mode
Command+Option+P+R Resets Parameter RAM (PRAM)

About This Article

This article is from the book:

About the book author:

Mark L. Chambers is a technical author, computer consultant, programmer, and hardware technician with over 30 years of experience. He has written over 30 computer books, including MacBook For Dummies, 9th Edition and Macs For Seniors For ­Dummies, 4th Edition.

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