OS X Tutorial: How to create personal keyboard shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts are a simple way of accessing all of the various tasks and commands you use on a daily basis. They can be executed for any number of processes relating to the OS X system, such as opening Spotlight or taking screenshots. Unfortunately some of these key combinations are forgettable, or remarkably similar to an alternative with an entirely different use. Meanwhile, in specific apps there are a whole slew of commands in the menubar which you might use regularly, but don’t yet have a shortcut assigned to. Being able to create new keyboard shortcuts, as well as edit existing ones, can therefore markedly improve your productivity.

Step 1: Open System Preferences

Enter System Preferences and click the Keyboard icon. All of your existing combinations for OS X can be seen and edited under the Keyboard Shortcuts tab.

Step 2: Select an application

Select Application Shortcuts and click the plus symbol that appears. Decide whether you want the new shortcut to affect all apps, or just one in particular.

Step 3: Enter a process

Enter the exact name of the menu command you want to use. If you’re unsure, open the app and use the menubar to double-check.

Step 4: Choose a shortcut

Enter the combination of keys you want to use and click Add. You can delete any keyboard shortcut you no longer need using the minus symbol.