But what was the original purpose of this key that is unique to Macs and, more curiously, why does it look so weird? It's a modifier key you can press to issue keyboard shortcuts to applications. However, the option key on a Mac keyboard is used in a different way than the alt key on a Windows PC. If you looked at the picture of my keyboard in the image above, then you can see how awkward it would be to use the Windows key every time I needed to copy, paste or select all. You might be also familiar with the Ctrl and Alt keys … It works like this: You are working in an app, and you want to open the application’s Preferences. Assign the Mac OS X Command Action to a Different Key . The Command key doesn't do anything on its own. Alternatively referred to as the beanie key, cloverleaf key, cmd key, open Apple key, or command, the command key is a key created by Susan Kare found on all Apple keyboards. That's essentially what you need to know. This is one of the least-known keyboard commands on a Mac, but it’s super useful. Or you could just buy a Mac keyboard and make all of this unnecessary. In terms of functionality, the alt key in Windows is often more comparable with the Command key than with the Option key on a Mac. The Option key is labelled Alt on a Mac keyboard. Aside from being used as keyboard shortcuts for system-wide commands, modifier keys can also be used to execute application-specific commands like: Command+Option+Space which opens the “Spotlight” menu. For Linux users. The Windows logo key can be used as the Command key. Linux users can use the Super key as the Command key. Note that if you are experiencing issues using the Command key in Xcode, please see the following solutions: - Xcode Move/Resize UI-Elements in Storyboard Editor For example, while you press Ctrl+C, Ctrl+X, and Ctrl+V to copy, cut, and paste on Windows, you press Command+C, Command+X, and Command+V to do the same on a Mac. And the 'Apple key' is what some of us call the Command or Cmd key on a Mac keyboard. The Command Key functions of Mac. The picture is an example of the command key looks on the Apple keyboard next to the control and option keys. Command-S is for "single-user … The most important key on a Mac’s keyboard is arguably the Command Key (⌘), which is used in a tremendous number of important keyboard shortcuts, from Command-C to copy, to Command-P to print, to Command-Shift-3 to take a screenshot.On a PC/Windows keyboard, however, many of the same keyboard shortcuts utilize the Control Key (⌃) instead of the Command Key. Command+Shift+A which opens the “Applications” folder. Mac-compatible keyboard (has a Command key, not Windows) Directions: First up, take a look at the Mac keyboard in front of you to familiarize yourself with a few Mac-specific keys. 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