How to take a screenshot on a Mac
Every Mac has screenshot shortcuts built in: Shift-Command-3, 4 and 5. Here is what each one does, how to copy a screenshot instead of saving it, and where the files go. If you want to mark up what you capture, EasyShoot adds its own shortcuts beside them.
Steps
- Capture the whole screenPress Shift-Command-3.
- Capture part of the screenPress Shift-Command-4 and drag over the area. Hold Space while you drag to move it, or press Esc to cancel.
- Capture a windowPress Shift-Command-4, then Space. The pointer turns into a camera; click the window.
- Find or copy itThe screenshot is saved to your desktop as a PNG file. To copy it instead, add Control, for example Control-Shift-Command-4.
- Mark it up, if you need toWith EasyShoot, press Option-Shift-Command-4 instead, then click the thumbnail to add boxes, numbered steps, arrows or blur.
Every Mac screenshot shortcut
| What you capture | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| The whole screen | Shift-Command-3 |
| Part of the screen | Shift-Command-4, then drag |
| A window or a menu | Shift-Command-4, then Space |
| The Screenshot app, with a timer and options | Shift-Command-5 |
| Copy instead of save | Add Control to any of these |
To leave a window's shadow out, hold Option while you click the window.
Change where screenshots are saved
Press Shift-Command-5, click Options and pick a folder under Save to. The same menu sets a timer, shows the mouse pointer and turns the floating thumbnail on or off. To change the shortcuts themselves, open System Settings › Keyboard › Keyboard Shortcuts › Screenshots.
Capture and mark up with EasyShoot
EasyShoot's shortcuts add Option to the Mac's own, so both sets keep working:
| What you capture | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Part of the screen | Option-Shift-Command-4 |
| A window | Option-Shift-Command-5 |
| The whole screen | Option-Shift-Command-3 |
| An image you copied | Option-Shift-Command-7 |
By default, each capture is copied to the clipboard and shown as a thumbnail in the corner of the screen. Drag it into another app, save it, or click it to open the editor. Settings › General › After capture decides what happens on its own.
Which one to use
For a quick capture you keep or send as it is, the Mac's shortcuts are enough. EasyShoot helps when the screenshot has to explain or hide something: see how to add arrows and numbered steps, blur private details or crop a screenshot.
Questions
Where do screenshots go on a Mac?
To the desktop by default, as PNG files whose names start with Screenshot and include the date and time. Choose another folder in Shift-Command-5 › Options › Save to.
How do I copy a screenshot to the clipboard on a Mac?
Hold Control as well, for example Control-Shift-Command-4, then paste it anywhere. EasyShoot copies every capture to the clipboard by default; change that in its Settings › General.
Can I change the screenshot shortcuts?
Yes. The Mac's are in System Settings › Keyboard › Keyboard Shortcuts › Screenshots, and EasyShoot's are in its Settings › Shortcuts.
Why can't I capture some windows?
Some apps, such as the Apple TV app, don't allow screenshots of their windows.