Many people, after switching from Windows to Mac, do not think that the functionality of the Option (Alt) key is much wider than you might imagine.
The convenience of working with this OS can be significantly expanded by combining this key with hot keys, trackpad or mouse. So, s Why do you need an option button on a Mac and what are its hidden features?
View Time Machine, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi Connection Details
It is enough to hold down the ⌥Option (Alt) key and left-click on the corresponding icon in the menu bar -, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
Activating Do Not Disturb Mode
This mode supposes hiding the messages received by the user and turning off the soundtrack. To activate, hold down ⌥Option (Alt) and click on the Notification Center icon.
System data
Pinched button option button on mac in combination with a left-click on the Apple icon in the menu bar, it will open access to information about the software launch logs, installed settings and software versions, and hardware.
Cutting and pasting files
To cut and paste a file, you just need to copy it, but not paste it as usual (Command + V), but also with the Option key held down. For the menu bar, this secret works the same way - Option is held down and the insert item is changed to move.
Quick access to the Library
It's simple: after opening Finder, select Go from the menu bar and hold Option (Alt).
Fine-tune volume, key illumination, and brightness settings
The display brightness has 16 levels of adjustment, but if this is not enough for you, add the Shift + Option command to the function keys F1 - F2, F5 - F6, F10 - F11 and each scale will be divided into 4 more sectors.
Restarting Finder
Using the option (alt) button on Mac will allow you to restart Finder even faster. It is enough to right-click after holding Option and select Restart.
Activating slideshow mode in Quick Look
To view multiple images in this mode, select them in the Finder and use the Option + Spacebar command.
Skipping duplicate files when copying
Usually, when repeating the copied files, the dialog box offers three options - stop the process, replace the files, or leave both. To activate the fourth option - skip the duplicate file, you must press Option in the dialog box.
Deleting files permanently
Usually, deleted files are moved to the Trash, but to get rid of them permanently, use Option + Command + Delete.
Combining folder contents
When copying identical folders, the new one replaces the old one and the old files are deleted, but to combine files in two folders, hold down the left mouse button, hold down Option and drag the desired folder to the one with which you want to combine it. In the dialog box, you will see the corresponding command.
Clearing Safari History
Clearing history involves deleting the settings of visited sites and cookies, but if you do not need this, open History by holding Option, and you will see the item "Clear history, but keep site data".
Default assignment to specific program files
If they do not suit you with the preinstalled programs, select the desired file, hold down Option and right-click on it. The menu item "Always open in the program" will appear.
Path to folder or file
To copy the path of the folder or file location, right-click on the object and after displaying the context menu, press Option (Alt). Instead of the "Copy" item, "Copy path to" will appear.
Resizing the window
Pressing and holding the Option key will resize the window proportionally.
Quick shutdown and reboot
Just hold Option while shutting down or rebooting and you can skip the undo or confirm dialog.
Option (Alt) does not end there. It is enough to hold down the key in question while pressing the menu of other programs or icons and you will learn about other hidden functions.
The OS X operating system hides countless useful functions associated with the system keys. We have already told you about. Today we will talk about the key " Option", Which is a kind of analogue of the" Alt "key on the PC. Knowing a few simple tips for using this key will help you become a more advanced OS X user and make your Mac easier to use.
In contact with
Using the Option (Alt) key in Finder
1. Cancellation of selection of all files.
Many users are aware of the keyboard shortcut Cmd + A which allows you to select all files in an open folder. If you add to this combination the key Option, you can easily deselect files.
2. Quick jump to the search field.
To quickly navigate to the search field, use the keyboard shortcut Command + Option + F, while using the combination Command + F will open a new Finder window with Spotlight search.
3. Quickly close multiple windows of the program.
To quickly minimize multiple windows of any application in the Dock, use the keyboard shortcut Command + Option + M... To close windows at the same time, press Command + Option + W.
4. View all subfolders.
After you click on the small arrow next to the folder name in the Finder, the application will open the contents only one level, excluding all subfolders. In order to immediately view all files, including files that are in subfolders, hold down the key Option and click on the little arrow next to the main folder.
Option key pressed
Quick sound setup
When you press the key Option and the volume icon in the system menu, you can quickly switch the audio input / output device.
View information about the wireless network and Bluetooth.
When pressed at the same time Option and icons AirPort in the system menu, you can see extended information about the used Wi-Fi network.
And when you press at the same time Option and the icon Bluetooth can view and connect to previously paired devices and generate a service diagnostic report Bluetooth.
Quick access to system information
Keystroke Option along with the icon Apple from the system bar will allow you to skip information about your computer and go directly to the list of equipment.
Navigating through the text
When using text editors such as Pages, you can move the cursor an entire word by pressing Option... You can also move through paragraphs using the keys " up" and " down" together with Option.
Option key in Safari
Everyone knows that the Safari browser when clicked Tab sequentially moves the cursor from one text field to another. As well as, Tab in combination with Option allows you to conveniently navigate through the links of the site without using a mouse. For example, on the site menu.
2. Fast scrolling.
Key Option can make the scrollbar easier to work with. For example, in order to move to the bottom of the page, hold down Option and click with the mouse in the scroll bar to the required place and the indicator will move directly there. If you just click on the scroll bar, the indicator will smoothly move towards the mouse pointer. This function works in any other window with a scrollbar.
3. Closing unnecessary tabs.
Keyboard shortcut Command + Option + W will allow you to close all inactive Safari tabs. This will not close the current tab. You can also do this through the menu “ File».
View all formats when saving a file
When you save any file in OS X, for example, a picture from the preview editor, you are presented with several popular formats. However, in fact, the list of formats supported by OS X is slightly longer. To see all these formats when saving a file and selecting a format, press the key Option.
Option key
Dear friends, today we will learn about hotkeys on macOS and how they help speed up your work on Apple computers or laptops. There are several main keys that provide different combinations for quick access to functions or items. These buttons are called modifier keys.
Speed up work on a Mac OS computer
However, we will consider only the most popular and necessary for everyday tasks:
- Option
- Shift
Many may think: why are the others omitted? In fact, the answer is very simple - not everyone uses certain functions. For example, Target Display Mode, which can be turned on or off using the Command and Volume Up key combination, will only be useful to those who have a second display to display additional information. To use a combination of buttons, you need to press them one by one in the order indicated in the description. For example, to paste an item from the clipboard, press and hold Command, then press V and release both keys.
Keyboard shortcuts combined with Command
Please note that all of the keys below should be pressed in combination with the Command button on an Apple keyboard.
That is, for example, if the Z button is presented at the bottom (all letters will be in English) with the value "Undo", then you must use the combination of Command and the Z button in order to undo the previous command. If you understand this point, then let's replenish the baggage of knowledge together:
- C - "Copy". The selected object or area is copied to the clipboard for further use.
- X- "Cut". Similar to the previous function, except for the fact that the selected object or area is removed from its location. They are also stored on the clipboard.
- V- "Paste". The last saved object in the buffer is unloaded and inserted at the selected location. You can insert in this way several times: the object will be stored in the buffer until it is replaced with another.
- Z - "Cancel". Pressing this combination will undo the last action. Some utilities and applications allow you to use "undo" several times, while others allow you to use this function once.
- A- allows you to select all objects in the area for further editing.
- F - "Search". Triggers a field to find something in an open document or file.
- H- "Hide". The action of this combination is similar to the "Minimize All" button in the Windows operating system, only in this case only the active window will be hidden.
- N - "Creation". This combination will allow you to open a new window or document.
- P - allows you to print an open document with which you are directly working.
- S- makes it possible to save the current file in the program.
- W - This combination will close the active application or utility window. If you want to close not only the active, but also the rest of the windows, then add the Option key to this combination.
- Q - "Exit". Allows you to exit the running application.
Other keyboard shortcuts
- Option + Command + Esc- is used when you cannot just close the program using standard methods. For example, if the application is frozen and does not respond to any commands.
- Command + Space - this combination launches a special Spotlight field to search for information on a computer or laptop running MACOS.
- Command + Tab- "Switch between applications". If you are an iPad user, this keyboard shortcut will remind you of a five-finger swipe gesture to switch between running programs. For example, if you open Pages on your Macbook, then go to the Safari browser, pressing Command + Tab will return you to the Pages text editor.
- Shift + Command + 3- "Screenshot" allows you to take a complete screenshot of what is displayed on the screen. Similar to the screenshot using the lock button and the Home key on the iPhone.
- Command + comma - this combination will allow you to launch the settings of the utility or application in which you are currently working.
- Space - used to preview the selected file or document.
Finder combinations
- D-copies of selected objects or documents are created.
- F - Opens the Spotlight field.
- I - starts the properties window of the selected object.
- N - This combination will open a new Finder window.
- Y- you will be able to start a preview for those objects that you have selected.
- 1- the file display mode changes to the "Icons" view.
- 2 - the file display mode changes to the "List" view.
- 3 - the file display mode changes to the "Columns" view.
- 4 - the file display mode changes to the "CoverFlow" view.
- MissionControl- when you press this combination, you open the desktop.
- Delete - the selected documents or files are sent to the trash.
The following combinations using the Shift key assume that certain folders and workspaces are launched in a new window. Note that here you will already be pressing three keys on the keyboard of a laptop or computer running the Mac operating system. Let's consider an example using the first combination:
- C-Computer. That is, when you press the combination Shift + Command + C, you will open a new active window "Computer".
- D- Desktop.
- F- My files.
- G- Go to folder.
- I-iCloudDrive.
- L- Downloads.
- O- Documents.
- R-AirDrop.
- U- Utilities.
- Delete-allows the user to empty the trash from files.
Now we will take a look at the Option + Command shortcuts, which also allow you to perform various actions to speed up your work in the Mac operating system. What will these functions be? In most cases, this will be showing or hiding a specific element in the work area.
- D- lets you hide or show the Dock panel.
- P-string of the path.
- S- side panel.
- N- allows you to create a new smart folder.
- T- toolbar. Works when only one tab is open in the Finder window.
- Y- slideshow starts.
Conclusion
Dear friends, today you have learned about the hotkeys available in the Mac operating system on Apple computers or laptops. As you can see, they open up a huge number of functions for you to increase the speed of work on your device. Now you can work not only faster, but also more efficiently. Please note that the full list of keyboard shortcuts and keyboard shortcuts for Mac can be viewed on the official Apple support site. We share our impressions and experiences: tell us what hotkeys do you use most often, and how do they help you in your work?
The Option key in Mac OS X holds many secrets, and it is through it that the path from a beginner to a pro user of OS X lies. Macovod will tell you how to master this tricky Option button.
So, first things first.
How to use the Option key in OS X Finder
Deselect all files
When you open a Finder window with files, you can press Command-A to select all the items in the window, right? And to deselect all files, press Command-A.
Quick jump to the search box
Want to quickly jump to the Finder search box? Usually, Command-F will open a new Finder window in search mode, but click instead Command-F and the cursor will immediately be in the search bar in the Spotlight window!
Close or minimize many windows quickly
Have a lot of Finder windows open? Click on Command–
–
M to decrease them, or Command–
–
W to close everything. These same combinations work with any open application. Magic!
Open all subfolders
Usually in the "list" view, clicking on the small triangle next to a folder will open that particular folder. If you want to open all folders inside the selected folder in the list, click –
Click.
Get rid of the basket dialogue
If you want to empty the Trash, you can press Command-Shift-Delete. At the same time, a dialog box will appear in front of you, which asks if you really want to do this. To bypass this window, use the Option key! Click on Command–
Shift–
–
Delete.
How to use the Option key on the OS X menu bar
Change your sound settings
Are you used to changing your sound settings through system settings? There is a faster and easier way - hold down the Option key and click on the volume icon, and you will immediately access the inputs and outputs.
Wi-Fi Information
If you click on the WiFi icon in the menu, you will see the available networks. If you hold down our favorite Option button at the same time, then you will see information about the WiFi access point to which you are connected, its SSID, 802.11 type, signal strength and frequency, etc. This information can be very helpful in case of WiFi connection problems.
More information on Bluetooth
Hold the Option key while clicking on the Bluetooth icon and you will get a ton of useful information: your Bluetooth version number, your Mac name, Bluetooth address. In addition, you will be able to generate a Bluetooth diagnostic report if needed.
As you know, in OS X Lion, Apple removed the "Save As ..." item from the menu, but then silently returned it to Mountain Lion. There are several ways to get this item back permanently, but if you don't want to mess with Terminal and configuration files, we will tell you how you can solve everything very simply: press the Option button when opening the File menu. Alternative option is to click Shift-Option-Cmd-S.
Get more file formats
You can click on the drop-down list of formats at the bottom of the save dialog and get about 6 formats to save the file, like PDF, JPG, etc. If you need more formats, press yourself you know which key, when you click on the drop-down list of formats and you will get an expanded list.
Copy and replace options
If you want to save a file in another folder where there is already a file with the same name, you will see a dialog box asking what to do: stop copying, replace the existing file, or save both files with this name. If you press Option when this window appears, you will see that the option "keep both" turns to "skip". Thus, you can simply not copy the duplicate file.
In fact, Option has more secret powers, we talked about only the most basic and non-obvious ones.
On OS X, you cannot cut files. You can move them only by dragging and dropping or copy-pasting and then deleting the sources. But if you really want to, then you can.
To do this, we simply copy the desired file, but paste it into the new folder, not as usual, using the keyboard shortcut ⌘ + V(Command + V) while holding down the ⌥ (Option). A similar trick works in a similar way for the menu bar: while holding down the key ⌥ (Option) the item "Insert Object" will change to "Move Object", which is what we need.
Delete files without moving to trash
By default, all files after deletion go to the trash, from where they can be restored or deleted permanently. In order not to have to additionally later, files can be deleted immediately.
To do this, instead of combining ⌘ + ⌫ (Command + Delete) should be used ⌥ + ⌘ + ⌫ (Option + Command + Delete). Through the menu bar, the same can be done by holding ⌥ (Option) and choosing "File" - "Delete immediately".
Clearing Safari History
Browser history is a delicate thing that needs to be cleaned from time to time, if only to increase performance. However, along with the history, it also deletes the cookies and settings of the visited sites, which, you see, is not always necessary.
And again, the magic Option key saves us. While holding it, open the "History" menu and select the changed item "Clear history, but keep site data". Ready!
Restarting Finder
The only OS X program that cannot be terminated is. However, situations when it needs to be restarted sometimes do arise (for example, for some changes to take effect).
The easiest way to do this is to open the context menu by right-clicking on the Finder icon in the dock, but, as you probably already guessed, not just like that, but by holding down the key ⌥ (Option).
Copy the path to a file or folder
Want to insert a direct path to a file in some application? No problem!
Go to the folder with the desired file (or another folder) and open the menu by right-clicking. Now press ⌥ (Option), and, as if by magic, a new item will appear - "Copy path to ...".
Quick jump to the "Library"
Libraries is a folder containing various user data and preferences. You can get into it through Finder, but it's much easier and faster to do it using our favorite key. ⌥ (Option).
In Finder, open the Go menu and hold ⌥ (Option), select "Library".
Turn on Do Not Disturb Mode
To at work, the first thing you need to do is turn off notifications, but for this you do not have to swipe the shutter of the notification center and click the corresponding toggle switch. This is not life hacking.
It's better to just click on the action center icon in the menu bar while holding down you know which key. :)
Default application changes for specific files
OS X can open all popular file types in standard applications. If you have several applications installed to open certain types of files, then to select them as default programs, you do not need to wander through the settings and look for the corresponding item there. There is a more convenient way.
You just need to open Finder and, by right-clicking on the file, click ⌥ (Option). After that, the "Open in the program" item will change to "Always open in the program", and we will only have to select the required application from the drop-down list. The same can be done through the "File" item in the menu bar.
Saving a file
When editing files, OS X treats them very carefully and offers to write all changes to a duplicate. But if you just need to save the progress in another file, you can use the "hidden" command.
In the "File" menu, press the key ⌥ (Option) and select the appeared item "Save As". Those who prefer should remember the combination ⌥ + ⇧ + ⌘ + S(Option + Shift + Command + S).
Precise control of brightness, key illumination and volume
The scale for adjusting the display brightness, volume and key illumination has 16 gradations. Sometimes this is enough and sometimes it is not.
It is possible to decrease the step of change if the function keys F1 - F2, F5 - F6, F10 - F11 add combination ⇧ + ⌥ (Shift + Option). In this case, each division of the scale will be additionally split into four more parts.
Entering special characters
You can enter from the Emoji & Symbols panel, which is hidden under the Keyboard menu. It contains a complete table of symbols, divided into categories. If this method does not appeal to you, there is another.
Using the key ⌥ (Option) you can quickly enter various special characters directly from the keyboard. For example, the combination ⇧ + ⌥ + K(Shift + Option + K) enters a character which you see on the menu bar all the time. In the same way, you can enter the symbols of currencies, arithmetic operations and any others. Until you remember the location of the symbols, you can spy by turning on the display of the on-screen keyboard (click on the icon of the input source, then "Show the panel" Keyboard ").
Show all subfolders in Finder
It is quite convenient to view files in list mode. The only annoying thing is having to manually open each subfolder. But even this problem can be overcome if you do not forget about the Option key.
All you need to do is press the arrow of the main folder while holding ⌥ (Option), and the entire folder tree will appear in front of you.
Skipping duplicate files when copying
When you copy files that are already there to a folder, a dialog box appears prompting you to leave both files, replace or stop the copying process.
In fact, there is another hidden option: the option to skip copying the duplicate file, and it will appear if you press the Option key in the dialog box.
Deselecting Objects
You are probably familiar with the keyboard shortcut ⌘ + A(Command + A), which works in all applications and allows you to select all items or content. The Finder has the opposite of this action.
To deselect objects, be they files or folders, press the same combination, but add the key ⌥ (Option). Like this: ⌥ + ⌘ + A(Option + Command + A).
Hide Windows and Force Quit Applications
Unlike Windows, in OS X applications can have several windows, and if you need to display any of them while hiding the rest, you can easily do this using the icon in the dock. And, of course, the Option keys. :)
Having made a right click on the application icon, you need to press ⌥ (Option) and select "Hide Others". There will also appear the "Force Quit" item, which will allow you to close the frozen application.
Opening the settings for various functions
Display, sound, keyboard and Mission Control options can be changed from the default settings, or in an easier way.
To bring up options, such as display, you just need to press ⌥ + F1(Option + F1). For the rest of the functions - by analogy with this - you should use the combination ⌥ + F3(Option + F3), ⌥ + F5(Option + F5) and so on.
Displaying detailed network information
Clicking on the icon in the menu bar will open a list of available networks and several setting options. However, here you can also view detailed information about the active Wi-Fi network, including connection speed, IP and Mac address, and more.
You probably already understood what you need to do for this, but just in case I will say: you need to click on the Wi-Fi icon while holding the key ⌥ (Option).
Switching to slideshow mode in Quick Look
One of my favorite Finder features is Quick Look, which lets you view files with a press of the spacebar. It would seem that there is nothing to improve here, but no, the ubiquitous Option key was noted here as well.
I'm talking about the slideshow mode, to switch to which you need to expand the preview window to full screen or launch it through the context menu. So: if you need to quickly view several images in a slideshow, just select them in the Finder and press not just the spacebar, but ⌥ + Space(Option + Space).
Opening Dropbox Preferences
Clicking on the Dropbox icon in the menu bar displays the latest files. In order to get into the settings, you need to additionally click on the gear in the pop-up window.
If unnecessary gestures are not included in your plans, then to open the settings, click on the icon in the menu bar while holding ⌥ (Option) and everything will be much faster.
Skipping confirmation dialogs
When you reboot your Mac, the system carefully asks you if you need to open all running applications after you sign in. This is no doubt useful, but sometimes annoying.
To avoid dialogs to confirm your actions, all you need to do is hold down the key ⌥ (Option) when you click on the "Restart" button.
Bonus
Hopefully, after reading this article, you will be using the Option key more often. If you find its location awkward, the good news is that the useful Option key can be reassigned to the nearly useless Caps Lock. It is larger and more conveniently located.
There are no secrets here. Absolutely. Everything is done by standard means through the keyboard settings. The option we need is located on the "Keyboard" tab, where you should press the "Modification Keys" button and specify the replacement for the Option key in the drop-down list for the Caps Lock key.
