How to Set Keyboard Shortcuts for Mac Programs
Click on the Apple menu., Click on System Preferences. , Click on Keyboard., Click on Shortcuts., Click on App Shortcuts., Click on +., Click on All Applications., Select the application in which you'd like to create a shortcut., Type a menu command...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Click on the Apple menu.
It's the black, apple-shaped icon in the upper-left of your screen. -
Step 2: Click on System Preferences.
, It's near the center of the preferences window.
If you don't see a full menu of System Preferences options, click on ⋮⋮⋮⋮ in the top bar of the dialog box. , It's near the top of the dialog box. , It's in the left pane of the dialog box. , It's below the right pane of the dialog box. , It's the drop-down menu at the top of the dialog box. , If you'd like to set a shortcut for all possible apps, select "All Applications." Not all apps allow keyboard shortcuts. , Menu commands are the commands appearing in the drop-downs of the application's menu bar.
For example, "Print..." and "Save" are commands under the "File" drop-down menu.
So, the path for "Print" would be "File->Print..." Type the command path exactly as it appears in the drop-down from the menu bar.
Include capitalization and punctuation (like the ellipsis following "Print"); use "->" to separate the steps.
To set a shortcut for Delete in Chrome, you'd type "Edit->Delete," for example. , A shortcut must be unique and begin with control, option, command (⌘), or some combination thereof.
You cannot use a keystroke more than once in a shortcut.
If you set a shortcut that already exists in the app, it will not work. , Now, you can activate your keyboard shortcut whenever you are using the app in which you added the shortcut.
Repeat these steps to set additional keyboard shortcuts. -
Step 3: Click on Keyboard.
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Step 4: Click on Shortcuts.
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Step 5: Click on App Shortcuts.
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Step 6: Click on +.
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Step 7: Click on All Applications.
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Step 8: Select the application in which you'd like to create a shortcut.
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Step 9: Type a menu command path in the box next to "Menu Title."
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Step 10: Type a keyboard shortcut.
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Step 11: Click on Add.
Detailed Guide
It's the black, apple-shaped icon in the upper-left of your screen.
, It's near the center of the preferences window.
If you don't see a full menu of System Preferences options, click on ⋮⋮⋮⋮ in the top bar of the dialog box. , It's near the top of the dialog box. , It's in the left pane of the dialog box. , It's below the right pane of the dialog box. , It's the drop-down menu at the top of the dialog box. , If you'd like to set a shortcut for all possible apps, select "All Applications." Not all apps allow keyboard shortcuts. , Menu commands are the commands appearing in the drop-downs of the application's menu bar.
For example, "Print..." and "Save" are commands under the "File" drop-down menu.
So, the path for "Print" would be "File->Print..." Type the command path exactly as it appears in the drop-down from the menu bar.
Include capitalization and punctuation (like the ellipsis following "Print"); use "->" to separate the steps.
To set a shortcut for Delete in Chrome, you'd type "Edit->Delete," for example. , A shortcut must be unique and begin with control, option, command (⌘), or some combination thereof.
You cannot use a keystroke more than once in a shortcut.
If you set a shortcut that already exists in the app, it will not work. , Now, you can activate your keyboard shortcut whenever you are using the app in which you added the shortcut.
Repeat these steps to set additional keyboard shortcuts.
About the Author
Martha Harvey
Dedicated to helping readers learn new skills in crafts and beyond.
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