By Marlo Anderson – The Tech Ranch
If you’re still clicking through folder after folder to find a file, try this on your Mac: press Command + Space. Spotlight pops up. Type a few letters of what you’re looking for and press Return.
The Shortcut
- Mac: Command (⌘) + Space
- Finds files by name
- Opens apps without touching the mouse
On Windows?
Press the Windows key and start typing. Windows search works the same way.
Bonus Tip: Spotlight Does Math
Spotlight is also a calculator and a converter. Type a sum like 86.40 * 0.2 to figure a tip, or a conversion like 32 ft to meters, and the answer shows up right away. It handles temperatures, currency and measurements too.
More Keyboard Shortcuts, Explained
This is part of my Keyboard Shortcuts Explained series: quick, plain-English tips that make everyday computer work faster. Watch the whole series on YouTube and subscribe to The Tech Ranch so you don’t miss the next one.
Got a shortcut you can’t live without? Tell me in the YouTube comments and it might show up in a future video.
