If you’re a macOS user, you might have noticed that there are a ton of keyboard shortcuts you can use to make your life easier. However, what if there’s a specific task you frequently perform but there isn’t an existing shortcut for it? Don’t worry, you can actually create your own custom shortcuts on your Mac.

Creating a custom shortcut on your Mac requires just a few steps to set up and can save you valuable time in the long run. In this article, we’ll show you how to make a shortcut on Mac using the built-in macOS keyboard shortcuts feature. Whether you want to open an app, open a specific folder, or perform a certain action, you can learn how to create your own custom keyboard shortcuts to streamline your workflow.

Creating a Shortcut on Mac: 10 Simple Steps

Whether you are working on a Macbook or iMac, making shortcuts on your device can boost your productivity. With the help of a keyboard, shortcuts can save you time and effort in performing certain tasks. In this article, we will guide you through the steps on how to make a shortcut on Mac.

1. Open Automator

The first step in creating a shortcut on Mac is opening Automator. This application is pre-installed on your device and is specifically designed for creating shortcuts.

2. Choose a Document Type

Upon opening Automator, you will be given a prompt to choose the document type. You’ll need to select the “Service” option which can be found on the top left corner of your screen.

3. Choose a Target Application

After selecting the Service option, choose your target application. This means that the shortcut you create will work in this specific application, and not in others.

4. Configure Workflow

Automator will prompt you to configure the workflow by selecting the desired input types from the list. Depending on the purpose of your shortcut, you can choose from a range of options that include text, images, and PDFs.

5. Drag and Drop Actions

Now, you can start creating your shortcut by dragging and dropping actions. These can be found on the left side of your screen and include options such as “copy to clipboard” and “run shell script”.

6. Customize Actions

Once you have selected the actions you want to include, you can customize them. This means changing the settings such as specifying the folder to copy or paste files.

7. Add Keyboard Shortcut

To assign a keyboard shortcut, click on the “Services preferences” tab. Once you have chosen your preferred shortcut, click “add”.

8. Save your Shortcut

After assigning your shortcut, give your file a name and save it.

9. Test your Shortcut

Before using your newly created shortcut, make sure to test it out. Check if the shortcut works by opening the target application and typing the keyboard shortcut.

10. Organize your shortcuts

You may create multiple shortcuts on Mac, so it is important to organize them. To do so, you can create folders to categorize them.

In conclusion, creating a shortcut on Mac is an easy process that can greatly improve your device’s functionality. With the steps outlined above, you’ll be able to create a shortcut in no time. Take advantage of the time-saving capability of shortcuts and try creating one for yourself today.

Easy Steps to Create a Shortcut on Mac

Shortcuts on Mac are perfect for making quick, automated clicks that will take you where you want to go. Once you know how to make a shortcut on mac, you’ll be able to save time and boost your productivity. In this section, we’ll show you ten steps that you can follow to create your own shortcuts.

1. Pick Your Shortcut Key Combination

The first and most important step to making a shortcut on your Mac is to select a key combination that you will remember and is easy to hit. You’ll use this combination of keys to activate your shortcut, so make sure it makes sense to you.

2. Go to System Preferences

Next, you need to open System Preferences on your Mac. You can do this by clicking on the Apple icon in the top left corner of your screen, and then selecting “System Preferences.”

3. Select Keyboard

Once you’re in System Preferences, you need to select “Keyboard.” This is where you’ll find the options you need to create your shortcut.

4. Click on Shortcuts

Once you’ve opened the Keyboard options, you need to select “Shortcuts” from the menu at the top of the screen.

5. Choose App Shortcuts

In the “Shortcuts” menu, you’ll find a list of options available. Select “App Shortcuts” to continue.

6. Click on the Plus Symbol

To create a new shortcut, you need to click on the plus symbol in the bottom left corner of the screen. This will open a new window.

7. Select the Application You Want

In the new window, you need to select the application you want to create a shortcut for. You can either choose a pre-existing application, or you can add a new one.

8. Enter the Menu Title

Once you’ve selected your application, you need to enter the title of the menu option you want to create a shortcut for. Make sure you get this detail right.

9. Hit Your Shortcut Keys

Now you need to hit your shortcut keys. Remember the combination you picked earlier, and hit those keys on your keyboard.

10. Test Your Shortcut

Finally, test your shortcut to make sure it works. If your new shortcut has been successful, it should mimic the clicks you would have made to arrive at your chosen menu item. Congratulations! You’ve created your very own shortcut on your Mac.

Creating Keyboard Shortcuts on Mac

If you find yourself repeatedly performing a specific task, creating a keyboard shortcut can save you a lot of time and effort. A keyboard shortcut is a combination of keys that when pressed together executes a specific command.

Here’s how to create a keyboard shortcut on a Mac.

Step 1: Open System Preferences

Click on the apple icon on the top-left of your screen, then select “System Preferences” from the drop-down menu. Alternatively, you can use the Spotlight search by pressing “Command + Spacebar” and then type “System Preferences”.

Step 2: Select Keyboard

In the System Preferences window, click on “Keyboard” to access the keyboard settings.

Step 3: Choose Shortcuts

In the Keyboard section, select the “Shortcuts” tab. Then, click on the left-hand side menu to choose which type of shortcut you want to create.

Step 4: Create a New Shortcut

Once you’ve made your selection, click on the “+” icon in the bottom-left corner to add a new keyboard shortcut. Fill in the “Menu Title” field with the exact name of the command you want to create a shortcut for. The “Keyboard Shortcut” field will then be activated.

Step 5: Assign the Shortcut Key Combination

Clicking on the “Keyboard Shortcut” field will activate it, and you can then press the key combination that you want to use for this shortcut (for example, “Command + Shift + Q”). The combination of keys you use should not be assigned to any other command. Once you have chosen your combination, click on the “Add” button to create the shortcut.

It’s that simple – you can now use your new keyboard shortcut to execute the command. If you wish to remove a shortcut, select it, and click on the “-” sign in the bottom-left corner.

Here’s a table with some popular keyboard shortcuts on Mac:

Shortcut Action
Command + C Copy
Command + V Paste
Command + Z Undo
Command + Shift + 3 Capture the entire screen
Command + Shift + 4 Capture a selected portion of the screen

Keyboard shortcuts can help you navigate and execute tasks on a Mac more efficiently. They are easy to create, but make sure to choose a combination that is easy to remember and does not conflict with other commands.

Wrap it up

Now that you know how to make a shortcut on Mac, you’ll be able to save yourself some time and effort. It may seem like a small thing, but being able to quickly access a file or application can significantly boost efficiency and productivity. I hope you found this tutorial helpful, and if you have any questions or feedback, feel free to drop a comment below. Thanks for reading, and don’t forget to visit us again for more cool tips and tricks!