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How To Screenshot On Mac

Writer's picture: ElchardElchard

Updated: Dec 17, 2024

Taking a screenshot as a whole is an easy yet essential skill to learn. This feature on Mac allows users to capture a portion of the screen, a specific window, or the entire screen. In fact, screenshots can be very useful for a lot of things including sharing and saving information, or even keeping a copy of important documents.

 

However, before you start, you need to decide which part of the screen you want to capture.


Initiating a Screenshot on Mac


Step 1: Decide What You Want To Capture.

Now in this step consider first whether you need to capture the entire screen, a window, or just a portion of the screen.


Now in this step consider first whether you need to capture the entire screen, a window, or just a portion of the screen.

Step 2: Use Keyboard Shortcuts.


To capture the entire screen, press Shift + Command + 3. The screenshot will be saved to your desktop.


To capture the entire screen, press Shift + Command + 3. The screenshot will be saved to your desktop.

To capture a selected portion of the screen, press Shift + Command + 4. Your cursor will change to a crosshair. Click and drag to select the area you want to capture, then release to take the screenshot.


To capture a selected portion of the screen, press Shift + Command + 4. Your cursor will change to a crosshair. Click and drag to select the area you want to capture, then release to take the screenshot.

To capture a specific window, press Shift + Command + 4, then press the Spacebar. Your cursor will change to a camera icon. Click on the window you wish to capture.


To capture a specific window, press Shift + Command + 4, then press the Spacebar. Your cursor will change to a camera icon. Click on the window you wish to capture.

Step 3: Find the Screenshot.


After taking a screenshot, it will be automatically saved to your desktop as a .png file. The file will be named "Screen Shot" followed by the date and time. However, you can change this name as you wish.


After taking a screenshot, it will be automatically saved to your desktop as a .png file. The file will be named "Screen Shot" followed by the date and time. However, you can change this name as you wish.

Step 4: Preview the Screenshot.


Double-click on the screenshot file on your desktop to open it in Preview. From here, you can view, edit, or share the screenshot as needed.

 

Additional Options


Step 5: Change Default Location.


If you prefer to save your screenshots somewhere other than the desktop, you can change the default location by using the Screenshot app.

 

Press Shift + Command + 5 to open the Screenshot app, click on “Options,” and then select your preferred save location under the “Save to” section.

If you prefer to save your screenshots somewhere other than the desktop, you can change the default location by using the Screenshot app.

Press Shift + Command + 5 to open the Screenshot app, click on “Options,” and then select your preferred save location under the “Save to” section.

Step 6: Use the Screenshot App for More Options.


Pressing Shift + Command + 5 also gives you access to additional screenshot options, such as capturing a video of your screen or including/excluding the mouse cursor in your screenshots.


Pressing Shift + Command + 5 also gives you access to additional screenshot options, such as capturing a video of your screen or including/excluding the mouse cursor in your screenshots.

Pressing Shift + Command + 5 also gives you access to additional screenshot options, such as capturing a video of your screen or including/excluding the mouse cursor in your screenshots.

Completion of Process


Step 7: Editing and Sharing.


Your Mac should come with editing tools in the Preview app for basic modifications like cropping or annotating your screenshots, but for more advanced editing, you may use other software like Photoshop or GIMP.


Your Mac should come with editing tools in the Preview app for basic modifications like cropping or annotating your screenshots, but for more advanced editing, you may use other software like Photoshop or GIMP.


Your Mac should come with editing tools in the Preview app for basic modifications like cropping or annotating your screenshots, but for more advanced editing, you may use other software like Photoshop or GIMP.


Step 8: Sharing Your Screenshot.


Screenshots can be shared by email, message, or through social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. directly from your Mac. Just right-click the file and hit “Share” to see how.


Screenshots can be shared by email, message, or through social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. directly from your Mac. Just right-click the file and hit “Share” to see how.

By following these steps, you can now easily capture any moment on your screen for reference, sharing, or documentation purposes.


Conclusion


Taking a screenshot on a Mac is super useful for lots of different reasons. macOS makes it easy with just a few shortcuts and tools. While this OS is lesser known, you can use all the screenshot features macOS has with the help of this guide. Try out these tools and make saving and sharing part of your everyday digital life.



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