How to Take a Screenshot With a MacBook

Showing what the screen looks like to someone else is useful for solving technical problems and illustrating procedures. Such pictures are called screenshots and the MacBook offers many options for taking them. Though these procedures are specific to Mac OS X on the MacBook Pro, they apply generally to all operating systems on MacBooks.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Take a partial screenshot by pressing the "Command," "Shift" and "4" keys. The cursor becomes a crosshair.

2. Move the cursor to the corner of the screen where you want the picture to start.

3. Press the mouse key and drag the cursor to the opposite corner where you want the picture to end. A selection rectangle appears in the area you define. To adjust this rectangle keep holding down the mouse key as you proceed through the next steps.

4. Move the selection rectangle as needed by pressing the space bar and moving the cursor. The rectangle follows this movement.

5. Resize the rectangle around the selection center as needed by pressing the "Option" key and move the cursor. The rectangle resizes.

6. Constrain the selection rectangle as needed by pressing the "Shift" key while letting go of the other keys. Moving the cursor horizontally constrains the vertical size and vice-versa.

7. Let go of all keys, including the mouse key. The screenshot appears on the desktop with the name "Picture" and a number, such as "Picture 1."

8. Double-click on the screenshot so you can open and inspect it.

Tips & Warnings

• To take a shot of the entire screen, press the "Command," "Shift" and "3" keys.