Welcome to the world of Mac! Owning a Macbook is a great experience where you get to enjoy the smooth and sleek design of its hardware, as well as the advanced software that comes along with it. As much as Mac OS is easy to use, one question that always pops up is: How to screenshot on Mac? In this article, we will guide you through 12 simple steps that will help you take screenshots on a Macbook. Whether you want to screenshot the entire screen, a specific window, or just a portion of the screen, we’ve got you covered!
Steps
Step 1: Capture the Entire Screen
To take a screenshot of your entire screen on Mac, you simply need to follow these steps:
1. Press the Command + Shift + 3 keys together.
2. The screenshot will be automatically saved to your desktop as a .png file.
Taking a screenshot on Mac is that simple! But there are many more ways to do it, let’s move to the next step.
Step 2: Capture a Specific Window
If you don’t need to capture the entire screen, and only want to screenshot a specific window, follow these steps:
1. Press the Command + Shift + 4 keys together.
2. The cursor will turn into a crosshair.
3. Click on the window you want to capture.
4. Release the mouse button and the screenshot will be saved to your desktop.
Step 3: Capture a Portion of the Screen
If you only need to capture a specific portion of the screen, follow these steps:
1. Press the Command + Shift + 4 keys together.
2. The cursor will turn into a crosshair.
3. Click and drag the cursor over the portion of the screen you want to capture.
4. Release the mouse button and the screenshot will be saved to your desktop.
Step 4: Capture the Touch Bar
Newer Macbook models have a Touch Bar that can be captured as well. Here’s how you do it:
1. Press the Command + Shift + 6 keys together.
2. The screenshot will be saved to your desktop.
Step 5: Change the Destination Folder for Screenshots
By default, screenshots are saved to your desktop. But if you want to change the destination folder, follow these steps:
1. Open Terminal.
2. Type in the command: defaults write com.apple.screencapture location /path/to/folder/
3. Replace /path/to/folder/ with the desired folder path.
4. Press enter.
5. Type in the command: killall SystemUIServer
6. Press enter.
From now on, all screenshots will be saved to the folder you specified.
Step 6: Change the Screenshot File Format
By default, screenshots are saved in .png format. But if you want to change the file format, follow these steps:
1. Open Terminal.
2. Type in the command: defaults write com.apple.screencapture type fileformat
3. Replace fileformat with the desired file format (e.g. jpg, pdf, tiff, bmp).
4. Press enter.
5. Type in the command: killall SystemUIServer
6. Press enter.
From now on, all screenshots will be saved in the file format you specified.
Step 7: Edit Screenshots with Markup
Mac OS has a built-in tool called Markup that allows you to edit screenshots. Here’s how you access it:
1. After taking a screenshot, click on the thumbnail that appears in the bottom right corner of your screen.
2. Markup will open.
3. Use the tools in Markup to edit your screenshot (e.g. add text, draw shapes).
Step 8: Use Third-Party Apps for Additional Features
While Mac’s native screenshot tool is great, there are additional features you may want to use. Here are some popular third-party apps you can use:
– Snagit: Allows you to record video, capture scrolling windows, and create .gif files.
– Lightshot: Allows you to upload your screenshots to the cloud and share them with others.
– Skitch: Allows you to annotate and crop your screenshots.
Step 9: Take a Screenshot with a Delay
Sometimes you need to take a screenshot that includes a menu or dropdown that disappears when you click away. In this case, you can use the screenshot tool with a delay:
1. Press the Command + Shift + 5 keys together.
2. A control panel will appear.
3. Click on “Options”.
4. Choose a delay (up to 5 seconds).
5. Click on “Capture selected portion” or “Capture entire screen”.
Step 10: Use Keyboard Shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts are a great way to quickly take a screenshot. Here are some of the most commonly used keyboard shortcuts:
– Command + Shift + 3: Capture the entire screen.
– Command + Shift + 4: Capture a portion of the screen.
– Command + Shift + 4 + Space: Capture a specific window.
– Command + Shift + 5: Open the screenshot control panel.
Step 11: Troubleshoot Issues with Screenshot Tool
Sometimes the screenshot tool may not work as expected. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
– Restart your Mac.
– Check if there is enough space on your disk.
– Clear your cache and cookies.
– Try taking screenshots in safe mode.
Step 12: Share Your Screenshots
Once you’ve taken a screenshot, you can easily share it with others. Here are some ways to do it:
– Upload to your cloud storage (e.g. Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud) and share the link.
– Attach it to an email or message.
– Share it on social media.
Explanation
Now that we’ve taken you through the 12 steps, let’s explain some of the technical terms we used:
– Cursor: The pointer on your screen.
– Terminal: A program that allows you to access the command line on your Mac.
– Defaults Write: A command that modifies preferences on your Mac.
– SystemUIServer: A program that manages the user interface on your Mac.
– Markup: A built-in tool that allows you to edit screenshots.
Tips and Tricks
Tip 1: Use the Screenshot Thumbnail Preview
If you take a lot of screenshots, it can be difficult to keep track of them all. However, Mac OS has a built-in feature that helps you manage your screenshots. After taking a screenshot, a thumbnail preview will appear in the bottom right corner of your screen. Click on it to edit or save your screenshot.
Tip 2: Use Command + Control + Shift + 3 to Copy Your Screenshot to Clipboard
If you want to paste your screenshot into a document or image editing program, you can use the Command + Control + Shift + 3 keyboard shortcut. This will copy your screenshot to clipboard, which you can then paste into your desired program.
Tip 3: Use the Preview App for Basic Editing
If you don’t want to use third-party software for editing your screenshots, you can use the Preview app that comes with Mac OS. It allows you to crop, resize, and make minor adjustments to your screenshots.
Tip 4: Use Spotlight to Quickly Access Your Screenshots
If you want to quickly access your screenshots without having to search for them in your folder, use Spotlight. Press Command + Spacebar and type “screenshot” in the search bar. All your screenshots will appear.
Tip 5: Use the Grab Utility for Advanced Screenshots
If you need to take screenshots of menus or mouse movements, use the Grab utility. It allows you to take screenshots that capture the mouse and keyboard events on your screen.
Tip 6: Use Command + Shift + 4 + Space to Capture a Specific Window
If you want to capture a specific window without including the border, use the Command + Shift + 4 + Space keyboard shortcut. This will turn your cursor into a camera icon, which you can then click on the window you want to capture.
Tip 7: Use the Terminal to Enable Shadow for Screenshots
If you want to include a shadow in your screenshots, use the Terminal. Type in the command: defaults write com.apple.screencapture disable-shadow false. From now on, all your screenshots will include a shadow.
Tip 8: Use Third-Party Apps with OCR Capability
If your screenshot contains text, you can use third-party apps with OCR (Optical Character Recognition) capability to extract the text. Examples include Adobe Acrobat and Abbyy FineReader.
Tip 9: Use Third-Party Apps with Cloud Integration
If you want to easily share your screenshots with others, use third-party apps with cloud integration. Examples include Snagit, Lightshot, and Gyazo.
Tip 10: Use the Screenshot Tool to Record Video
Did you know that the Mac OS screenshot tool also allows you to record video? Press Command + Shift + 5 and choose the “Record Entire Screen” or “Record Selected Portion” option.
Advantages
There are several advantages of knowing how to screenshot on a Mac. These advantages include:
- Easy sharing: Taking a screenshot makes sharing content with others much easier, whether it’s a funny meme or important work-related information.
- Effective communication: Screenshots can be used to effectively communicate issues and problems with technical support or colleagues.
- Improved learning: For students and educators, taking screenshots can be a great tool for capturing important information and visual aids to aid in learning.
- Memories: Screenshots are great for capturing memories like online conversations or important milestones.
- Quick editing: Screenshots can be easily edited with basic tools on a Mac, like the Preview app, making it easy to highlight important information.
- Increased productivity: Taking shortcuts like screenshotting can help save time and increase productivity, which is especially important for those who work on their computers all day.
- Remote work: With the rise of remote work, screenshots have become even more important for effective communication and collaboration.
- Accessibility: For those with disabilities who struggle with typing, screenshots can offer a simple way to share information.
- Saving multiple windows: Screenshots can capture entire windows, making it easy to save multiple pieces of information at once instead of taking separate screenshots.
- Personalization: Screenshots can be used to personalize digital devices like desktop backgrounds or social media profiles.
Disadvantages
While taking screenshots on a Mac has its advantages, there are also some disadvantages to be aware of. These disadvantages include:
- File size: Screenshots can take up a lot of storage space, especially if taken frequently.
- Privacy: Be careful not to screenshot anything that could be seen as private or sensitive information.
- Misinterpretation: Screenshots can sometimes be taken out of context or misinterpreted.
- Accuracy: Screenshots may not always accurately capture the information or image that is intended.
- Distraction: Taking screenshots can become a distraction or interruption to the task at hand.
- Learning curve: Learning how to take screenshots on a Mac can take some time and practice.
- App-specific differences: Different applications may require different methods for taking screenshots, which can be confusing.
- Not available on all devices: While Macs have an easy built-in way to take screenshots, this feature is not available on all devices.
- Additional editing: To make the most of screenshots, they may need additional editing using graphic design or photo editing software, which can be time-consuming.
- Overuse: Too many screenshots can clutter up your computer and become overwhelming to sort through.
FAQ
1. How do I take a screenshot on my Mac?
To take a screenshot on your Mac, press Command + Shift + 3. This will capture the entire screen and save it to your desktop.
2. Can I capture a specific area on my screen?
Yes, you can capture a specific area on your screen by pressing Command + Shift + 4. This will bring up a crosshair pointer that you can use to select the area you want to capture.
3. How do I take a screenshot of a window?
To take a screenshot of a window, press Command + Shift + 4, then press the spacebar. This will turn the crosshair pointer into a camera icon that you can use to select the window you want to capture.
4. Where are my screenshots saved?
Your screenshots are saved to your desktop by default. You can also find them in the “Screenshots” folder in your Pictures folder.
5. Can I change where my screenshots are saved?
Yes, you can change where your screenshots are saved by opening the “Screenshot” app and selecting “Options”. From there, you can choose the location where you want your screenshots to be saved.
6. Can I take a screenshot of my entire webpage?
Yes, you can take a screenshot of your entire webpage by using a browser extension like Full Page Screen Capture.
7. How do I take a screenshot of my Touch Bar?
To take a screenshot of your Touch Bar, press Command + Shift + 6. This will capture the Touch Bar and save it to your desktop.
8. Can I take a screenshot of my Apple Watch?
No, you cannot take a screenshot of your Apple Watch.
9. How do I edit my screenshots?
You can edit your screenshots using the built-in Preview app on your Mac. Just open the screenshot in Preview and use the markup tools to make edits.
10. Can I take a screenshot using a keyboard shortcut?
Yes, you can create a custom keyboard shortcut to take a screenshot. Just go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts > Screenshots and select the shortcut you want to use.
11. How do I take a screenshot of a menu?
To take a screenshot of a menu, press Command + Shift + 4, then press the Spacebar. Move the camera icon over the menu and click to capture the screenshot.
12. How do I take a screenshot of a specific application window?
You can take a screenshot of a specific application window by pressing Command + Shift + 4, then pressing the Spacebar. Move the camera icon over the application window and click to capture the screenshot.
13. Can I take a screenshot using Terminal?
Yes, you can take a screenshot using the Terminal app by typing the command “screencapture” followed by the file name and location where you want to save the screenshot.
Conclusion
Learning how to screenshot on your Mac can be a helpful skill to have when you want to capture a moment from your computer. With the easy steps provided above, you can easily capture screenshots and save them to your Mac. You can also customize your screenshots by editing them and adding annotations to make them more descriptive and detailed. Remember, the more you practice and familiarize yourself with the different options available, the more comfortable you will become with capturing screenshots on your Mac.
Closing
Thank you for taking the time to read this article on how to screenshot on your Mac. We hope that you found it informative and helpful. By following the steps that we have outlined, you can easily capture screenshots and make your work much easier. If you have any other tips or feedback to share about capturing screenshots on your Mac, please feel free to share them in the comments below. We wish you the best in your screenshotting endeavors and hope to see you again soon!