Have you recently purchased a new Mac? Do you want to learn how to save time while using your Mac?
Mac designers and engineers take user experience very seriously. Their goal is to create a computer that is easy to use and works for you rather than you working to use a computer. This is where Mac tricks and keyboard shortcuts become valuable
The purpose of these features to help you navigate your Mac faster and more efficiently. These Mac tricks and keyboard shortcuts will save you time and make working on projects a breeze.
Are you ready to learn how you can make the most of your Mac? Check out these 10 Mac tricks and keyboard shortcuts that will get you Macin’ like a pro in no time!
1. How to Use Split View
Split view is the ability to view and work on 2 apps side-by-side. There’s no need for resizing and some people find it less distracting.
Open an app but don’t open it to full view. Navigate to the top-left buttons and hover or click and hold on the green full-size button.
A menu will appear letting you choose “Tile Window to the Left of Screen” or right. Click the one you want (left or right) and your windows will automatically sit side-by-side. To exit this view, press “ESC” on your keyboard.
2. Spotlight Mac Tricks
Spotlight is Mac’s handy helper that lets you search for any app, document, or program on your computer. It also can complete math equations and make conversions.
Use Spotlight by using the shortcut Command + Spacebar or click the magnifying glass icon in your upper menu. A search bar should pop up letting you type in what you need. If Spotlight can’t find it on your computer it can automatically do an online search.
3. Signing Documents
Mac OS lets you sign PDF documents without printing files off or use a 3rd party signing app. One way is to save a scanned copy of your signature and apply it to the document as an image.
Sign PDF documents from your Mail app by right-clicking (control + click), hover over “Open With” and click “Preview.” You can directly sign the document by in Preview by selecting the Markup button with a marker tip in a circle icon.
A 2nd menu will pop up below where you can select a pencil or marker and the color you want. Click and drag on the document to sign your name using your Mac’s mouse or trackpad.
4. Compressing Files on Mac
If you want to save space your Mac or make sending files easier, compressing files is one of the most useful Mac tricks. Mac can compress and decompress files in the popular ZIP file format. You also won’t lose any data when compressing.
Highlight the file or files you want to compress in Finder. Right-click and select the “Compress” option and your files will duplicate in a ZIP folder. Decompress the file by right-clicking and selecting “Open” or double-clicking the file.
5. Reorganize Your Dock
Make your Mac’s dock feel less cluttered by reorganizing it and placing only the apps you use in it. Start by removing the apps you don’t want on your dock by right-clicking the app, hovering over “Option,” and selecting “Remove From Dock.” This will remove the app from the dock without deleting it from your computer.
Adding apps to your dock is just as easy. Open the Applications folder in Finder to view all of your Mac’s apps. Click and drag the apps you want to the dock.
6. Define A Word
On occasion, you may come across a word in a document, email, or article you want to define. There are 2 ways to do this. The first is to search the word in Spotlight.
The other option is to click and highlight all or part of the word. Press Command + Control + D and a definition for the word will appear. You can also highlight and right-click to look up the definition as well.
7. Mac Tricks for Screenshots
Screenshots are extremely useful for saving work or sharing computer issues with your IT department. With Mac OS, there are several ways you can learn how to take screenshot on mac. You can take a screenshot of the whole screen or a small part of the screen.
One of the easiest shortcuts is to press Shift + Command + 4. Your cursor will turn into a crosshair and your screen should freeze. Click, hold, and drag the cursor around the area of your screen you want to save and let go to capture the image.
Your computer will automatically bring up the photo in the lower right of your screen. If it doesn’t, you can find your screenshots in “Recents.”
8. Fast Scrolling Mac Tricks
Need to scroll to the very top or the very bottom of a document? Using the trackpad or the mouse can take several seconds to scroll. Save time scrolling through articles and documents by pressing Command + the Up or Down arrow keys to scroll fast.
9. Tiny Volume Adjustments
Have you experienced your sound being too quiet or too loud and wished there was another sound adjustment in-between? With Mac, you can make minuscule volume changes to find the perfect volume.
To adjust, press Option + Shift + Volume Up/Volume Down. This keyboard shortcut will allow you to adjust the volume on your computer or your earphones.
10. Cycle Through Open Apps
If you work between several open applications at a time, you know how time-consuming it can be to scroll through your dock when you need to change apps. Use the shortcut Command + Tab to quickly navigate open apps without using your mouse.
You Can Mac Like a Pro
These 10 Mac tricks and keyboard shortcuts will make using your Mac OS computer much easier. Quickly complete simple tasks without wasting minutes printing, digging through files, or searching for apps.
Want to learn more helpful tips and tricks to make your life easier? Check out our latest Entertainment, Reviews, and Gift Guide articles to learn more.
Nickida
Nickida is a first-generation Trinidadian American wife and mother of four. She enjoys sharing recipes from her childhood growing up in Trinidad with her readers. Nickida has a son with Autism and shares posts around traveling with a child with special needs to help other families like her own. She loves television, movies and is a true 80's baby.
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