Essential keyboard shortcuts

> Cut, copy, and paste

Take careful note of Cmd+Z, Cmd+C, and Cmd+P as shortcuts, because the commands they invoke (Cut, Copy, and Paste) are commonplace on the Mac whenever editing is required. To take these actions a little further, see page 25 for a useful way to enhance the Paste command.

> Undo and redo

Made a mistake? Chances are good that the app you’re using lets you undo it with Cmd+Z — some even allow you to step back several times. Want your changes back? Simply press Shift+Cmd+Z to redo. By using both you can then step back and forth to compare the changes.

> Switch apps

Press the 'Cmd+arrow' key combo to switch between your two most recent apps. Hold Cmd but let go of Tab and the switcher stays open. Then you can use Left and Right arrow keys to navigate, H to hide the selected app, the Up arrow key to see the app’s windows, or Q to quit it.

> Take screenshots

In Mojave, Shift+Cmd+5 reveals the Screenshots toolbar, with options to set where to save to, whether the pointer is included, and run a countdown. Like in earlier systems, swapping 5 for 3 instantly grabs the whole screen, while swapping 5 for 4 grabs a selection.

> Hide and minimize

Cmd+H and Cmd+Opt+H are shortcuts that offer a way to reduce workspace clutter and focus. The former hides the active app’s windows, the latter hides all windows other than the current app’s. Or, press Cmd+M, which minimizes the current window into the Dock.

> Force Quit

Hopefully, you won’t need to press this key combo (Opt+Cmd+Esc) all that often. It brings up the Force Quit window, which enables you to immediately terminate apps. Use this capability if one doesn’t respond for a long time — but the result is that you’ll lose any unsaved data.