Mac Keyboard Symbols: A Complete Guide
When it comes to using a Mac computer, there are plenty of keyboard shortcuts that come in handy. But what about keyboard symbols? You know, those little icons and characters that can be found by pressing various keys on your keyboard? While they might seem like small details, Mac keyboard symbols can make a big difference in your productivity and the overall user experience.
First, let’s talk about the basics. On a Mac keyboard, there are three main keys that are used to access different groups of symbols.
The first key is the Shift key, which allows you to type capital letters and other symbols that are located above the number keys.
The second key is the Option key, which is also known as the Alt key on some keyboards. This key is used to access a variety of special characters and symbols, including accents, copyright and trademark symbols, and more.
The third key is the Command key, which is denoted by the ⌘ symbol. This key is used to execute shortcuts and commands within various programs.
Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the most commonly used Mac keyboard symbols.
Apple logo (): This symbol represents the Apple company and is often used as a replacement for the word “Apple” in various contexts.
Shift (⇧): This symbol represents the Shift key, which is used to type capital letters and access symbols located above the number keys.
Option/Alt (⌥): This symbol represents the Option key, which is used to access special characters and symbols.
Command (⌘): This symbol represents the Command key, which is used to execute shortcuts and commands within various programs.
Control (⌃): This symbol represents the Control key, which is used in combination with other keys to execute certain commands and shortcuts.
Escape (⎋): This symbol represents the Escape key, which is used to cancel or close dialog boxes and perform other functions depending on the software being used.
Return/Enter (⏎): This symbol represents the Return or Enter key, which is used to confirm selections or execute commands.
Delete/Backspace (⌫): This symbol represents the Delete or Backspace key, which is used to delete text, files, or other objects.
There are also a variety of other symbols that can be accessed by pressing different combinations of keys. For example:
© and ™: These symbols represent copyright and trademark symbols, respectively. They can be accessed by pressing Option + G and Option + 2 (on some keyboards), respectively.
≠ and ±: These symbols represent the not equal to and plus-minus symbols, respectively. They can be accessed by pressing Option + = and Option + Shift + =, respectively.
∞ and µ: These symbols represent the infinity and micro symbols, respectively. They can be accessed by pressing Option + 5 and Option + M, respectively.
There are many more symbols available, including various mathematical and scientific symbols, emoji, and more. To view a complete list of Mac keyboard symbols and their corresponding keys, check out the Keyboard Viewer tool, which can be accessed through the menu bar.