Various Ways to Take Screenshots on a Mac
Taking screenshots on a Mac is easy with different methods available. Capture the entire screen, a specific window, or a portion of the screen. Here are the three main methods:
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Capture the Entire Screen: Press “Command + Shift + 3” keys together. The screenshot will be saved as a PNG file on your desktop. Close unnecessary windows or applications for best results.
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Capture a Specific Window: Press “Command + Shift + 4” keys together. Cursor turns into a crosshair. Move the crosshair to the window you want to capture and click. The screenshot will be saved as a PNG file on your desktop. Close overlapping windows or applications for a clean capture.
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Capture a Portion of the Screen: Press “Command + Shift + 4” keys together. Cursor turns into a crosshair. Click and drag the crosshair to select the desired area. Release the mouse button to capture the screenshot, saved as a PNG file on your desktop. Hold Shift key while dragging for precise selections.
Step-by-Step Guide to Capture Screenshots on Your Mac
Now let’s dive into a step-by-step guide:
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Capture the Entire Screen: Press “Command + Shift + 3” keys together. The screenshot will be saved as a PNG file on your desktop.
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Capture a Specific Window: Press “Command + Shift + 4” keys together. Cursor turns into a crosshair. Move the crosshair to the window you want to capture and click. The screenshot will be saved as a PNG file on your desktop.
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Capture a Portion of the Screen: Press “Command + Shift + 4” keys together. Cursor turns into a crosshair. Click and drag the crosshair to select the desired area. Release the mouse button to capture the screenshot, saved as a PNG file on your desktop.
Remember, you can also use the Control key with the other keys to copy the screenshot to the clipboard. To capture a specific menu, press “Command + Shift + 4” keys, then press the Spacebar. Cursor turns into a camera icon, allowing you to capture the menu. With these simple steps, you can effortlessly capture screenshots on your Mac.
Whether you need to take a screenshot for personal or business purpose, doing so on a Mac is a fairly straightforward process. This step by step guide will walk you through the entire process.
#1 Choose the Appropriate Keyboard Shortcut
The quickest and easiest way to take a screenshot on a Mac is to use the keyboard shortcuts. Depending on what you need, there are several shortcuts you can use. To take a screenshot of your entire screen, press Command + Shift + 3. If you need to select an area, press Command + Shift + 4.
#2 Use Your Selection to Target the Area
If you choose the second keyboard shortcut, you will be able to select an area of your screen you need to capture. Simply drag your mouse to select the area and the screenshot will be taken. Alternatively, you can also press the Escape key to cancel the process.
#3 Save the Screenshot to the Desktop
Once you’ve taken the screenshot, it will be saved to the Desktop. You can easily find it from the folder of the same name. Some users may also receive an alert sound when the screenshot is taken, but don’t worry, this can be easily disabled.
#4 Open the Screenshot
When you open the screenshot from the Desktop folder, you will be able to preview it. You can quickly edit it, if necessary, using the tools available, such as changes to the size or crop and rotation, or to apply a filter.
#5 Share the Screenshot
Finally, if you’re happy with the way your screenshot looks, you can share it with your contacts or upload it to the web. A preview of your screenshot will appear in the bottom right of the window, allowing you to choose the app you would like to use for sharing the screenshot.
In summary, taking a screenshot on a Mac is an easy process that should only take few minutes. Just make sure you know which shortcut to use and you should be able to take a screenshot in no time.
