Mac computers offer several convenient methods for taking screenshots, whether you want to capture a specific part of your screen or the entire display. In this article, we will explore all the ways to take a screenshot on a Mac, including keyboard shortcuts and built-in tools.
Capture the Entire Screen
If you want to capture everything on your screen, including the menu bar and dock, there are two keyboard shortcuts you can use:
- Press Command + Shift + 3 to take a screenshot and save it as a file on your desktop.
- Press Command + Control + Shift + 3 to take a screenshot and copy it to the clipboard, which allows you to paste it into another application.
Capture a Selected Area
If you only need to capture a specific part of your screen, you can use the following keyboard shortcuts:
- Press Command + Shift + 4 to change the cursor to a crosshair. Click and drag to select the area you want to capture. Release the mouse button to take the screenshot and save it as a file.
- Press Command + Control + Shift + 4 to change the cursor to a crosshair. Click and drag to select the area you want to capture. Release the mouse button to take the screenshot and copy it to the clipboard.
Capture a Specific Window
If you want to capture a specific window or menu on your screen, follow these steps:
- Press Command + Shift + 4 to change the cursor to a crosshair.
- Press the Spacebar. The cursor will change to a camera icon.
- Move the camera icon over the window or menu you want to capture. It will be highlighted in blue.
- Click the mouse button to take the screenshot and save it as a file.
Use the Screenshot Toolbar
macOS Mojave and later versions introduced a handy Screenshot Toolbar that provides additional options for taking screenshots. Here’s how to access it:
- Press Command + Shift + 5 to open the Screenshot Toolbar.
- The toolbar will appear at the bottom of the screen, offering various screenshot options, including capturing the entire screen, a selected portion, or a specific window.
- Click on the desired option to take the screenshot.
Use Grab
For more advanced screenshot options, you can use the built-in application called Grab. Here’s how:
- Open Grab by going to Applications > Utilities > Grab.
- In the Grab menu, choose the type of screenshot you want to capture: Selection, Window, Screen, or Timed Screen.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to capture the screenshot.
- Once captured, you can save the screenshot as a file or copy it to the clipboard.
Now you know all the different ways to take a screenshot on your Mac. Whether you prefer using keyboard shortcuts or the Screenshot Toolbar, capturing and sharing screenshots has never been easier.