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Vain RoweSummary: This post from iBoysoft provides a basic introduction to the Shift key on Mac. It explains what the Shift key is and how to use it to complete some basic missions easily.
No matter whether it is an external keyboard or a soldered keyboard, it has a series of modifier keys with Mac, such as the Tab key, the Command key, the Control key, and the fn key. These modifier keys play a significant role in sorts of key shortcut combinations to complete different easy missions like copying, pasting, editing, screenshotting, screen recording, and so on.
This post will guide you through learning one of these modifier keys: the Shift key. After reading this post, you will know where it is and how to use it in numerous shortcut combinations! Let's get started!
What is the Shift key on a Mac?
The Shift key on a Mac is a modifier key that looks like an up arrow (⇧). It's used to type capital letters and other uppercase characters. There are two Shift keys on a Mac keyboard: one is on the left side, below the Caps Lock key; and the other is on the right side, above the arrow keys.
The Shift key's name originated from the typewriter, where one had to press and hold the button to shift up the case stamp to change to capital letters; the Shift key was first used in the Remington No. 2 Type-Writer of 1878; the No. 1 model was capital-only. On the US layout and similar keyboard layouts, characters that typically require the use of the Shift key include the parentheses, the question mark, the exclamation point, and the colon.
When the Caps Lock key is engaged, the Shift key may be used to type lowercase letters on many operating systems, though not on macOS or on Microsoft Windows keyboard layouts that have the SGCAPS feature.
The Shift key works not only when you press the shortcut combinations but also when you use the mouse or trackpad.
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The Shift key shortcut combinations
Since we have figured out the basic questions about the Shift key, like what is the Shift key on a Mac and where is the Shift key on a Mac, now it's time to dive deep into learning how to use this key in sorts of shortcut combinations.
This post lists a table related to the Shift key, and you can bookmark this page or add this table to Favorites for quick access anytime:
- Shift-Command-C: Open the Computer window.
- Shift-Command-D: Open the desktop folder.
- Shift-Command-F: Open the Recents window, showing all of the files you viewed or changed recently.
- Shift-Command-G: Open a Go to Folder window.
- Shift-Command-H: Open the Home folder of the current macOS user account.
- Shift-Command-I: Open iCloud Drive.
- Shift-Command-K: Open the Network window.
- Option-Command-L: Open the Downloads folder.
- Shift-Command-N: Create a new folder.
- Shift-Command-O: Open the Documents folder.
- Shift-Command-P: Show or hide the Preview pane in Finder windows.
- Shift-Command-R: Open the AirDrop window.
- Shift-Command-T: Show or hide the tab bar in the Finder windows.
- Control-Shift-Command-T: Add selected Finder item to the Dock (OS X Mavericks or later).
- Control-Shift: Press and hold while accessing the Dock to use or stop using Dock magnification.
- Shift-Command-U: Open the Utilities folder.
- Shift-Command-Delete: Empty the Trash.
- Option-Shift-Command-Delete: Empty the Trash without confirmation dialog.
- Option–Shift–Volume Up or Option–Shift–Volume Down: Adjust the sound volume in smaller steps.
- Command or Shift while selecting an item: Select multiple items in the Finder.
- Shift-Command-Colon (:): Show the Spelling and Grammar window.
- Shift–Command–Up Arrow: Select the text between the insertion point and the beginning of the document.
- Shift–Command–Down Arrow: Select the text between the insertion point and the end of the document.
- Shift–Command–Left Arrow: Select the text between the insertion point and the beginning of the current line.
- Shift–Command–Right Arrow: Select the text between the insertion point and the end of the current line.
- Shift–Up Arrow: Extend text selection to the nearest character at the same horizontal location on the line above.
- Shift–Down Arrow: Extend text selection to the nearest character at the same horizontal location on the line below.
- Shift–Left Arrow: Extend text selection one character to the left.
- Shift–Right Arrow: Extend text selection one character to the right.
Conclusion
This post is a perfect tutorial that guides users to know the Shift key on Mac comprehensively. If you're interested in it, begin reading right now!
