Written by
Vain Rowe
Summary: This post from iBoysoft explains the Control key on the Mac keyboard in detail. If you're new to Mac and know nothing about the modifier keys, read this article to learn the Control key on Mac for better user experience.
Mac keyboard covers 79 keys (on my MacBook Air) and the key number may change based on different Mac models, which includes the function keys from F1 to F12, the number keys, the letter keys, and some other modifier keys like the Command keys, the Option/Alt keys, the Shift keys, the Enter key, the Backspace key, the Tab key, the fn key, etc.
These keys play such a significant role on a Mac, especially in the issue of the trackpad not working on a Mac or Apple Magic Mouse not working on a Mac. Today, this post guides you to learn the Control key on Mac, including what is the Control key used for Mac, the shortcut combinations including the Control key, and so on. After reading, you can learn the Control keys to improve your experience on the Mac lineups. Then let's get started!
The Control key basics
Control keys, Ctrl or ^, is a modifier key combined with another key to execute some particular operations. Similarly to the Shift key, the Control key rarely serves any purpose when pressed alone. Most keyboards include a Control key on or near the bottom left side (according to the international standard ISO/IEC 9995-2), with many having another on the bottom right.
On keyboards with English abbreviations for key labeling, the Control key is commonly labeled as Ctrl. Abbreviations in the language of the keyboard layout are also widely used. For instance, following the German standard DIN 2137:2012-06, the German keyboard layout uses Strg to infer the Control key.
Since the Control key has no special function on its own, we can proceed with the following section to learn how to use it with its keyshort combinations. Do not forget the share this post with more people if you find it informative!
The shortcut combination involving the Control key
One key cannot play a major role while it is not true of the shortcut combinations. To tell the truth, there are so many shortcut combinations used to perform sorts of missions on Mac, and Mac users love them so much that these combinations free them from copying, pasting, cutting, permanently deleting, etc. by clicking the mouse or tapping the trackpad repeatedly.
To improve user experience and boost work efficiency, you can learn the following Control key combinations or just put them on the Stickies Notes for quick access:
- Control–Command–Space bar or Fn-E: Show the Character Viewer, from which you can choose emoji and other symbols.
- Control-Command-F: Use or stop using the app in full screen, if supported by the app.
- Control-Command-N: Create a new folder that contains the currently selected items.
- Control–Shift–Power button* or Control-Shift-Media Eject: Put your displays to sleep.
- Control–Power button* or Control-Media Eject: Show a dialog asking whether you want to restart, sleep, or shut down.
- Control–Command–Power button:* Force your Mac to restart, without prompting to save any open and unsaved documents.
- Control-Command-Media Eject: Quit all apps, then restart your Mac. If any open documents have unsaved changes, you will be asked whether you want to save them.
- Control–Option–Command–Power button* or Control-option-Command-Media Eject : Quit all apps, then shut down your Mac. If any open documents have unsaved changes, you will be asked whether you want to save them.
- Control-Command-Q: Immediately lock your screen.
- 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.
- Control-Command-T: Add the selected item to the sidebar (OS X Mavericks or later).
- Control-Command-T: Add the selected item to the sidebar (OS X Mavericks or later).
- Control–Command–Up Arrow: Open the folder that contains the current folder in a new window.
- Control–Brightness Up or Control–Brightness Down: Change the brightness of your external display, if supported by your display.
- Control–Down Arrow: Show all windows of the front app.
- Control-Command-D: Show or hide the definition of the selected word.
- Control-H: Delete the character to the left of the insertion point. Or use Delete.
- Control-D: Delete the character to the right of the insertion point. Or use Fn-Delete.
- Control-K: Delete the text between the insertion point and the end of the line or paragraph.
- Control-A: Move to the beginning of the line or paragraph.
- Control-E: Move to the end of a line or paragraph.
- Control-F: Move one character forward.
- Control-B: Move one character backward.
- Control-L: Center the cursor or selection in the visible area.
- Control-P: Move up one line.
- Control-N: Move down one line.
- Control-O: Insert a new line after the insertion point.
- Control-T: Swap the character behind the insertion point with the character in front of the insertion point.
There are far more Control key combinations in the computer field, if you are curious about them, explore them and share them with us!
Conclusion
The Control key is an indispensable part of the keyboard which can complete various missions efficiently with its included shortcut combinations. If you want to be good at using a Mac, you can apply the shortcut unities at will.
