Keyboard shortcuts can speed up your workflow a whole lot. Whether you’re writing a document, editing a graphic file, or just browsing the web, these shortcuts will definitely make your life easier.
Here are ten shortcuts that I use on a daily basis.
Note: “Cmd” is the command button on Mac computers.
Most of these shortcuts work on Windows computers as well, but instead of Cmd you will be using the Control key.
1. Cmd Z
“I wish I could command Z in real life” -Author unknown
This shortcut will undo the last thing you did, and works in most design and writing applications, as well as when you’re typing something in general, on the web.
2. Cmd C and Cmd V
These two usually are used in sequence. Cmd C will copy a selected text or file (or footage if you’re editing), then Cmd V will paste it in a new location. Instead of just copying you can ‘cut’ it with Cmd X, this removes the text you are copying before placing it on the clipboard (the invisible place that keeps the last thing you’ve copied).
3. Cmd Q
Quits the application that’s currently open. Sometimes I just don’t bother grabbing for the mouse.
4. Cmd W
This closes the current window you have open. Or the current browser tab.
5. Cmd A
Selects everything: All the text in a document you have opened (or on a website or text box). Or every file in a folder. Or every graphic element in a layer.
6. Cmd F
Find something. In your browser and in text editing applications this opens up a search box where you can search for a word of phrase within the document. I find this useful when browsing websites and I just want to look for the phrase or name that I came there for.
7. Cmd S
Save File. This works in most text and graphic applications. Saves the current document or project. You should save often, and this is quicker than grabbing for the mouse while writing.
8. Cmd N
New File. Opens a brand new document in text editing. New project in some other applications. New window while browsing the web, or when you have the Finder opened (Folder window) on your computer. I use this all the time when I want to copy something from one folder to another, and need two or more finder windows.
9. Cmd T
Opens a New Tab in your browser. Or the Text Tool in text editing applications. The tool that lets you select font, size etc.
10. Cmd + and Cmd –
While browsing this zooms in (+) and out (-). Mostly helps make the text bigger, easier to read. In text editing it makes the text permanently bigger. In some graphics applications it zooms in, but sometimes it could make the selected element permanently bigger, depending on the program. Also, in those applications you might have to hold down shift to get the plus sign. So then it’s Cmd shift =
On my mac, to zoom in on something I usually use this trick: “Control Scroll”. Yup, that’s Control button. holding down the control button and using the two finger scrolling (or mouse wheel) will zoom in wherever the cursor is pointing. Great for showing someone in the same room something, like a picture on a website. And it works everywhere, unless you have an application open that uses control and scroll buttons for something else.
What’s your favorite shortcut? Do you use these on a daily basis, or do you use some other ones? Let us know in the comments.
