World Executive Digest | 15 Apple Mac Tricks and Tips Every User Needs to Know | Are you looking for a new computer? If so, there’s never been a better time to buy one.
After all, there are now more great machines to choose, loaded with more processing power and cool features than ever before.
The key is to find the machine that best fits your needs. And once you purchase the computer of your dreams, you’ll want to know the best tips and tricks that can help you enjoy everything it has to offer.
This article takes a look at Apple Mac tricks for getting the most out of your new machine. Keep reading to get the inside scoop.
1. Take a Screenshot of Anything on Your Screen
There are times when you want to capture only a small part of your screen rather than taking an entire screenshot. For these moments, simply press Command + Shift + 4. Then use your mouse to make a box around the area of your screen you want to capture.
When you release the mouse button, a thumbnail of the image will be saved to your desktop.
2. How to Sign a PDF
Do you ever have a PDF document that needs to be signed? This is an easy function on your Mac.
Open the document in Preview, then go to Tools, Annotate, and Text. This will allow you to create a signature that can be applied to any PDF document.
3. Add an Accent to Text
Any time you are typing on a Mac and need to add a foreign accent over a letter, simply hold down the letter in question. This will open a tab that provides several accent options. Choose the one you want and it will instantly appear above the letter.
4. Switch Between Apps
If you’re like most people, you probably have multiple apps open on your computer at the same time. Navigating between apps on a Mac is super easy. Simply hold down the Command key, and then press Tab. Each time you press Tab, you’ll move to the next app in line.
You’ll also notice that thumbnails for all apps currently running on your Mac will briefly appear in the middle of your screen so that you can tab to the one you want.
5. Switch Between Windows Within an App
Another option is to tab between separate windows within the same app. Rather than using the Tab button, you’ll hold down Command and then press (`) to cycle between the individual windows.
Keep in mind that this feature will only cycle through the windows on the active desktop, not every desktop currently open on your computer.
6. Instantly Look Up a Definition
Sometimes you need to look up the definition of a word on your screen or search for an alternative meaning. This is very easy on a Mac.
First, double-click on the word to highlight it. Now right-click on your mouse. This will open an options window. Click “look up”. A box will then open that provides the dictionary definition of the word as well as thesaurus alternatives.
7. Search Your Hard Drive
It’s no secret that the average computer hard drive is capable of holding a ton of data. Everything from PDF documents, digital videos, photos, and music, as well as an endless number of other file types. This can make it different to find what you’re looking for quickly and easily.
Fortunately, Spotlight makes finding stuff a breeze.
To open Spotlight, simply press Command + Space Bar. A search field will open where you can type the file you’re searching for. Once it’s located, simply click on the file to open it.
8. Merge All Windows
Having multiple windows open at the same time can clutter your screen. Fortunately, you can combine them into a single window by clicking Window and then Merge All Window. They will instantly be placed in the same window with separate tabs.
9. Use Spotlight as a Calculator
You can also use Spotlight as a calculator. Simply press Command + Space Bar, and then treat the search field exactly like a calculator. Spotlight will automatically update the result as type.
10. Save a Webpage as a PDF
Saving a webpage as a PDF is easy. Simply click on File in your Safari window, and then select Save as PDF. You’ll then be allowed to name the PDF document and specify where you want to save it.
Learn more about PDFs with this article.
11. Add Webpage to Reading List
When you’d like to bookmark a webpage to read later, simply move your pointer to the URL field on your browser, and click the (+) that appears within the field. This will save the document to your reading list. It will be saved there until you manually delete it.
Keep in mind that the items in your reading list are listed in the order you saved them, beginning with the newest.
12. Force Quit Apps
There will be moments when programs and apps freeze and won’t respond. The fastest way to deal with this problem on a Mac is to utilize the Force Quit feature. Simple click on the Apple in the top left corner of your screen and select Force Quit.
This will reveal every app currently running. Now just select the app you wish to kill.
13. Record Your Screen
Have you ever wanted to record a video of everything happening on your desktop? That’s easy!
Open your Quick Time app, select File, and then New Screen Recording. Then simply click record, and the file will automatically save as a thumbnail on your desktop.
14. Close a Single Window
Most people are in the habit of using their mouse to close windows. There’s actually an easier way. All you have to do is press Command + W to kill the active window.
15. Annotate a PDF or Image
Annotating a PDF or photographic image is simple. Just click on Tools, and select Annotate. Now select Text and a toolbar will open, offering a variety of options for editing your document.
A Guide to Apple Mac Tricks for Guiding the Most from Your Machine
Computers are complicated machines loaded with all kinds of cool stuff. Fortunately, these Apple Mac Tricks will help you save time and be efficient.
Keep scrolling to discover more great tutorials on our blog.
