What Is the Print Screen Short Cut on a Mac Computer?
The Macintosh print screen features provide a comprehensive way to capture screens, which are especially useful when creating instructions for using programs. One of the tools that Mac uses is a program called Grab, which takes snapshots of the screen. Although useful, providing a variety of advanced screenshot options, it may be inconvenient to open another program every time you want to take a screenshot. Although Mac keyboards do not have a print screen button like standard PC keyboards, Mac OS does include screen-capturing shortcuts, which can be altered if desired.
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Copy Screen
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As long as the default shortcuts have not been altered in system preferences, "Shift" and "Command 3" saves a picture of the entire screen to the desktop. Control," "Shift" and "Command 3" sends a copy of the entire screen to the clipboard, similar to the print-screen button on a PC. From within Grab, "Command Z" anywhere on the screen to take a picture of the entire screen and opens it in a new window, which you can save or copy. "Shift" and "Command W" takes a picture of a window that you click on.
Copy Selection
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"Shift" and "Command 4" saves a selection to the desktop. "Control," "Shift" and "Command 4" copies a selection to the clipboard. When you press the shortcut, the arrow will turn into a cross-hair icon that you uses to select what you want to copy. Grab, "Shift" and "Command A" takes a picture of a selection.
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Timed Image Capture
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Grab has an additional screen capture shortcut that waits 10 seconds before taking a screenshot. This gives you time to adjust the screen, for example if you need to open a menu. "Shift" and "Command Z" will display a timer and will take a picture of the entire screen ten seconds later.
Change Default
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If these shortcuts do not work, they may have been changed in system preferences. The Keyboard shortcut tab contains a section designated for screen shots. Activated shortcuts will have a check on the left of the description and the shortcut keys to the right. If you need to change the shortcut keys, double-click on the shortcut keys and press the new shortcut.
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Resources
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