Another way is to use a keyboard shortcut. You can get an acute accent by typing Option + E and then the letter. Similarly, circumflex is Option + I, grave accent is Option + backquote, tilde is Option + N, and umlaut is Option + U. I know that in Safari if you want to change a keyboard shortcut you just set an application specific rule in keyboard settings under system preferences with the exact name of the menu item you want.

• Apple Mac Keyboard Shortcuts
• Macbook Shortcut Change Keyboard Settings
• Macbook Shortcut Change Keyboard Shortcut

This is the ultimate guide for working with MacBook keyboards, including accessing special functions, characters, accents, and using keyboard shortcuts in Mac OS system. Click on the list below to jump to an appropriate section.

MacBook Keyboard Diagram / Map

MacBook keyboard has few distinctive sections: Function keys (in light blue), which provides access to various functions in MacBook itself or Mac OS system. By combining them with the FN key, you'll get access to F1 - F12 keys, which can be associated with particular application features (useful in Photoshop for example).

The second section is the modifier keys (in light yellow). Shift allows to type uppercase letters and other additional characters. Command and Alt/Option are used in keyboard shortcuts, as well as the Control key, which is used almost exclusively by Mac OS X and Apple programs.

Return and left Shift has two variants, one used in the US and Eastern Asia (horizontal Return and long Shift), and second, used in Europe, Middle East and Africa (vertical Return and short left Shift). On the diagram, this is shown by dashed lines. Of course, MacBook keyboards have lots of localizations, the most common - US English - is shown above. If you're unsure about the localization you have, go and check it with this guide.

MacBook Air 11' has slightly different keyboard, with smaller top and bottom row keys to accommodate smaller laptop size. Newest MacBooks Pro with TouchBar don't have upper F keys row, instead, they have a touchscreen which changes displayed options based on context.

MacBook Keyboard Symbols Chart

MacBook Keyboard Special Characters and Accents Map

If you want to type special characters or accents, change your keyboard language to US International PC (thanks, Steve!) and use the map below to get them. You can also check out our solution to the two languages on one keyboard problem.

Where is the Print Screen Button?

Unlike PC keyboard, there is no Print Screen key on MacBook keyboard. This functionality is accessed by keyboard shortcuts and - on Mac - you have greater flexibility:

• Command + Shift + 3 - captures entire screen;
• Command + Shift + 4 - captures selected region. Your cursor turns to crosshair and by clicking and dragging you can specify which area you want to capture;
• Command + Shift + 4 + Space - captures selected window. First press the shortcut from above, then - when you have crosshair - hit Space. The cursor will turn to the camera and the active window will have a blue overlay. Click on it to get it captured.

In some apps, like Photoshop, you need to add Control into the mix, to paste the screenshot into the app.

MacBook Keyboard Tricks

There's a lot you can do in Mac OS by using the keyboard only. Here's a list of highly useful and not-so-useful keyboard shortcuts:

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• Most recent

Most of us prefer the QWERTY keyboard layout, as it’s more popular. But that doesn’t mean this input source can fit into the needs of everyone. This is where customization becomes the need of the hour.

macOS has the support for tons of languages and their accepted input sources. And based on your preference, you can change the keyboard layout on your Mac to type faster in a specific language. So, whether you want to write comfortably in Dutch or Chinese, there is a suitable layout for you. Let me walk you through the quick steps!

Quick links:

How to Change Default Keyboard Layout on Mac

Step #1. Launch System Preferences on your Mac.

Step #2. Now, click on Keyboard.

Step #3. On the next screen, click on the “Input Sources tab” and then click on the “+” button that is located on the bottom left.

Step #4. Next up, select the desired language on the left side. It will show the matching keyboard layout option/s on the right.

For instance, if you choose the Dutch language, you will see two options: Belgian and Dutch input options on the right. Choose the preferred layout and click on Add.

Now, here you can see the layout you have just added.

Sticky note: One thing worth noting is that you can add as many languages and their available layouts as you want.

On the next screen, you can choose to make the keyboard layout switch to a document’s input source automatically. Check out the option at the bottom.

Besides, make sure the box for Show input menu in the menu is ticked off. It will help you switch between multiple input options a lot quickly. Now, quit the window.

How to Switch Between Keyboard Layouts on Mac

Step #1. Check out the input menu at the top right in the menu bar. And click on it.

Apple Mac Keyboard Shortcuts

Step #2. Now, you should see your selected keyboard layouts. Pick the one you want to use, and you are ready to go!

Go ahead and type on the keyboard. The keys will have a different role to play.

What if you no longer want to use a specific input option? You can easily remove it from your list.

How to Remove Keyboard Layout on Mac

Step #1. Open System Preferences → Keyboard → Input Sources tab.

Step #2. Now, select the input source you want to remove and then click on the “-“ button at the bottom left.

There you go!

More Customization Options?

There are many ways you can customize the keyboard and its functionality on your Mac. Some of the coolest ways to bring some fun element into the play are using third-party apps like Ukelele and Karabiner. While the former allows you to create keyboard layouts, the latter lets you change the functions of the modifier keys.

That’s not all; there are quite a few impressive decals and funky keyboards that can help you spice up your experience.

Signing Off…

Assuming, you’ve got what you had wanted. Now, make the most of these little nifty tricks to get the most out of your keyboard. But if you wish to go even further, craft some custom keyboard shortcuts to speed up your typing.

You’d like to read the below stories as well:

Macbook Shortcut Change Keyboard Settings

The founder of iGeeksBlog, Dhvanesh, is an Apple aficionado, who cannot stand even a slight innuendo about Apple products. He dons the cap of editor-in-chief to make sure that articles match the quality standard before they are published.

Macbook Shortcut Change Keyboard Shortcut

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