How to Capture a Screen Shot

The screen capture function on your computer lets you copy the screen, or a picture on the screen, and paste it into an email or a document or save it as a file. This is helpful if you want to use illustrations in your report or in your slide presentation. You can easily capture screen shots in Windows or Macintosh.

Instructions

1. Search for the Print Screen button on your computer keyboard. It is also sometimes labeled as PRTSC or PRTSCN depending on the keyboard style.

2. Copy your Windows computer screen. Hit the "Print Screen," "PRTSC" or "PRTSCN" buttons to capture the screen shot. You can then save your screen capture, paste it into a Word or PowerPoint document or email it.

3. Capture an active, open window on your screen in Windows. Hold the ALT and the Print Screen keys to capture the shot.

4. Get a screen shot from a Macintosh window. Use the Apple and Shift-4 keys to change your pointer to a bull's eye. Highlight the area on the screen that you want to capture, then save it as a PDF. If you just want to save the screen shot on your clipboard, press the command key, plus Apple, Shift-4.

5. Use the Grab Screen option in Macs as an alternative to Step 4. Open the Grab window from the Applications/Utility menu at the top of the page, choose "Capture" and then "Timed Screen." When the dialog box opens, select "Start Timer" to hold your mouse. Wait for the dialog box to close and for a picture to appear,confirming that your screen shot has been captured.