Common Windows Keyboard Shortcuts On Mac

If you are new to Mac, learn how some of the most common keyboard shortcuts differ from what you may have learned to use on Windows. Realizing that the primary keyboard modifier on the Mac is Command, not Control, is the first step. But there are other differences and some shortcuts that are completely different.

Comments: 9 Responses to “Common Windows Keyboard Shortcuts On Mac”

    Olaf
    6 years ago

    Hi Gary, I am using Mac for years now but I never found one keyboard shortcut on my mac for the MS F2 when you are in excel. in MS - when you have selected a cell - with F2 it changes to the content of the cell and backward what is very valuable if you don’t want to change with your hand to the mouse and double click to access the content of the cell. I tried almost every keyboard combination that came to my mind but did not find it on the Mac. maybe you can help. thanks a lot Olaf

    6 years ago

    Olaf: Not sure I understand what F2 does. If you select a single cell in Numbers, you already have access to the content of the cell. You type and your typing replaces the contents. What would F2 do that would be different?

    IT Juggler
    6 years ago

    Gary: The F2 command allows one to edit the existing text rather than replace.

    Olaf: In Numbers option+return will edit. Perhaps that will also work in Excel for Mac?

    - Eric

    6 years ago

    Ah, yes, if you wish to edit a cell in Numbers, you use Option+Return. I just tried it in Excel for Mac and while Option+Return doesn't work, F2 does. Olaf: Are you looking for this to work in Excel or Numbers? If Excel, then F2 should work. Try fn+F2 if you have the fn key enabled.

    IT Juggler
    6 years ago

    Gary: In addition to just editing existing text, it can be helpful to change focus to the cell's contents before pasting. Try the following experiment. Copy the following two lines of text to your clipboard.
    hello
    world

    Now select a cell in Numbers and Command+V and you'll have two fields with text. Next, select a cell, press option+return, then press Command+V and you'll have a single cell with two lines of text. - Eric

    6 years ago

    IT Juggler: I see the difference. If you do that a lot, it is handy to have a way to do it without taking your hands off the keyboard. I see it also works with F2 in Excel on Mac.

    DGR
    6 years ago

    Mr Juggler - Are you looking for a keyboard shortcut to edit a cell in Excel for Mac? If so, ^u does the trick.

    Olaf Kasemann
    6 years ago

    Hi Gary, IT Juggler and DGR! Thank you for the fast and comprehensive answers. I will try all your proposals. Just to fill in the missing info: I was talking about excel for OS and about editing the content of the cell not replacing it. F2 did not work for me up to now, don‘t know why when it works for you obviously??? However, thanks a lot Olaf

    6 years ago

    Olaf: If F2 isn't working for you, try fn+F2 as you may have the function keys set to the reverse in System Preferences, Keyboard, Keyboard, "Press fn key to." Otherwise, you may also customize your keyboard shortcuts in Excel, so perhaps you have it set to something else.

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