Taking screenshots on Mac can be a very useful skill in today’s tech-savvy world. Whether you are a teacher wanting to show your students how to navigate a particular software or an employee who needs to create a presentation for work, knowing how to take a screenshot can save you time and energy. Fortunately, taking a screenshot on a Mac is easy! In this article, we will guide you through 12 simple steps on how to take a screenshot on a Mac.
Steps
Step 1: Locate the “Command” and “Shift” Keys
Before you begin taking a screenshot, you must first locate the “Command” and “Shift” keys on your Mac keyboard. These two keys will be essential in taking your screenshots. The “Command” key is located on the bottom left-hand side of your keyboard, while the “Shift” key is on the bottom right-hand side.
Step 2: Decide which type of screenshot you want to take
There are three types of screenshots you can take on a Mac: a full-screen screenshot, a window screenshot, or a selection screenshot. Decide which one you want to take before proceeding to the next step.
Step 3: Take a Full-screen Screenshot
To take a full-screen screenshot, press “Command + Shift + 3” at the same time. You will hear a camera shutter sound, which indicates that the screenshot was taken.
Step 4: Take a Window Screenshot
To take a window screenshot, press “Command + Shift + 4” at the same time. Your cursor will then turn into a crosshair. Click on the window you want to take a screenshot of, and you will hear a camera shutter sound.
Step 5: Take a Selection Screenshot
To take a selection screenshot, press “Command + Shift + 4” at the same time. Your cursor will then turn into a crosshair. Click and drag your cursor to select the portion of your screen that you want to capture. Release your click, and you will hear a camera shutter sound.
Step 6: Find your screenshot
After taking your screenshot, it will automatically be saved to your desktop as a PNG file.
Step 7: Change file format and location
If you want to change the file format or the location where your screenshot is saved, you can use the “Terminal” app to do so. Open the “Terminal” app, type “defaults write com.apple.screencapture type JPG” (or any file format you prefer) and press Enter. Then, type “killall SystemUIServer” and press Enter again.
Step 8: Change the Default Screenshot Location
To change the default screenshot location, open “Terminal” app, type “defaults write com.apple.screencapture location /path/where/you/want/screenshots/to/be/saved” and press Enter. Replace “/path/where/you/want/screenshots/to/be/saved” with the location where you want your screenshots to be saved.
Step 9: Take a Screenshot using Preview
Alternatively, you can take a screenshot using Preview. Open Preview, go to “File” and select “Take Screenshot.” From there, select which type of screenshot you want to take and follow the instructions from Steps 3-5.
Step 10: Use third-party apps
If the built-in screenshot features on your Mac are not enough, you can consider using third-party apps such as Snagit, Lightshot, or Skitch.
Step 11: Edit your Screenshot
If you need to edit your screenshot, you can do so in Preview or other image-editing software.
Step 12: Share your Screenshot
When you’re ready to share your screenshot, simply drag and drop it into an email or document.
Explanation
Taking a screenshot is an incredibly useful skill for anyone who needs to work with visual materials. Whether you’re a teacher showing your students how to use a particular software, or an employee who needs to create a presentation for work, there are many situations where taking a screenshot can save you time and energy. Fortunately, taking a screenshot on a Mac is incredibly easy, and can be done in just a few simple steps.
By default, taking a screenshot on a Mac will save the screenshot as a PNG file to your desktop. If you need to change the file format or the location where your screenshot is saved, you can use the “Terminal” app to do so. Once you have taken your screenshot, you can also edit it in Preview or another image-editing software if needed.
By knowing how to take a screenshot on a Mac, you can save yourself valuable time by capturing visual information quickly and easily. Whether you’re a student, a teacher, or an employee, this skill is an essential one to have in today’s tech-savvy world.
Tips and Tricks
Tip 1: Use Keyboard Shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts are your friends when it comes to taking screenshots on a Mac. Memorize the keyboard shortcuts for full-screen and window screenshots, so you can take screenshots quickly and easily without having to click through menus.
Tip 2: Use Command + Shift + 5
If you’re using a Mac with macOS Mojave or later, you can use the “Screenshot” app by pressing “Command + Shift + 5” at the same time. This will give you several options for taking screenshots, including the ability to record your screen.
Tip 3: Use Preview to annotate your screenshots
Preview is not only a great app for viewing images, but it also has some useful editing features. If you need to annotate your screenshots, you can use Preview to add text, arrows, and other shapes to your screenshots.
Tip 4: Use Skitch to add annotations quickly
Skitch is a free app that allows you to take screenshots and annotate them quickly and easily. It also lets you share your annotated screenshots with others via email, social media, or other file-sharing services.
Tip 5: Use Lightshot to capture specific areas of your screen
Lightshot is a free app that lets you capture specific areas of your screen with ease. Simply press the keyboard shortcut, drag your cursor over the area you want to capture, and release. You can then edit your screenshot in Lightshot before saving or sharing it.
Tip 6: Use Snagit to create professional-looking screenshots
Snagit is a paid app that lets you take screenshots and edit them in a variety of ways. With Snagit, you can add effects, text, and other elements to your screenshots to create professional-looking images for presentations, reports, and other materials.
Tip 7: Customize your screenshot shortcuts
If you prefer to use different keyboard shortcuts for taking screenshots, you can customize them in the “Keyboard” section of System Preferences.
Tip 8: Use timed screenshots for tricky captures
Sometimes it can be hard to capture a specific image or menu before it disappears. In those cases, you can use the timed screenshot feature by pressing “Command + Shift + 5” then selecting the timer button. This will give you a few seconds to set up the screen capture before it begins.
Tip 9: Use screenshots in presentations or reports
Screenshots can be a great way to add visual aids to your presentations or reports. By taking a screenshot of a tool you’re discussing, you can show students or colleagues exactly what you’re talking about, making the lesson or presentation more concrete.
Tip 10: Experiment with different types of screenshots
There are three different types of screenshots you can take: full-screen, window, and selection. Experiment with all three to figure out which one works best for your needs. Depending on what you’re trying to capture or the specific situation you’re in, one type of screenshot may work better than another.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Taking a Screen Shot on Mac
Advantages
1. Easy sharing: Screen shots are great for sharing images with friends or colleagues on social media, emails, or messengers.
2. Helps in troubleshooting: Sometimes, taking a screen shot can help pinpoint the issue and share it with technical support teams to get help.
3. Saves time: Screen shots are faster than copying and pasting. It saves you lots of time when you need to show someone else on your screen or explain a tech issue.
4. Helps in presentations: Screen shots can be used in presentations to show specific examples and illustrations.
5. Useful for documentation: When you need to document something on your computer screen, taking a screen shot is a quick and easy method.
6. Retaining Information: Screen shot are great tools for retaining key visual information that may be displayed only for a brief moment.
7. Adds value: Adding visuals to report or article makes it all the more compelling and informative. Screenshots are a great way to make your writing more engaging for your readers.
8. Keeps a record: Screenshots can be used to keep a record of something online or on-screen that may change after the fact.
9. Provides remote assistance: When you can’t be physically present to help someone solve an issue on their computer, walking them through a screen shot can aid their efforts.
10. Great for social media content: Screen shots of interesting, outrageous, or ridiculous social media posts can generate engagement on your personal or professional accounts.
Disadvantages
1. Quality issues: Sometimes, screen shots may not capture the finest details when enlarged or zoomed in.
2. Patent issues: Screen shots may sometimes infringe on copyright and patent laws if the source material is not your own.
3. File size: Screenshots can be big files that take up valuable disk space on your computer and slow down your system.
4. Not ideal for confidential or sensitive information: Screen shots of certain materials or communications may not be appropriate to share.
5. Needs editing: Some screen shots may require editing, cropping, or annotation before sharing.
6. No sound: Screen shots cannot capture sound, making them inadequate for video tutorials or anything that relies on audio.
7. User error: User error or improper technique can result in a poor-quality screen shot.
8. Limited visibility: Screen shots are limited to what can be seen on screen, which may not represent the full picture of what is happening.
9. May require additional equipment: Sometimes taking high-quality screenshots may require additional equipment, like a DSLR camera or high-end monitor.
10. Not ideal for animated visuals: Screen shots cannot capture motion graphics, animations, or videos that require movement to convey their message effectively.
FAQ
1. What is a screenshot?
A screenshot is a digital image of whatever is displayed on your computer screen taken at a particular moment in time.
2. Why would I want to take a screenshot on my Mac?
Taking a screenshot on your Mac can be useful for a variety of reasons, such as capturing an error message to share with technical support or saving a moment in a video or an image for later reference.
3. What are the different types of screenshots that I can take?
On a Mac, you can capture the entire screen (including the menu bar), a specific window, or a portion of the screen.
4. How do I take a screenshot of the entire screen?
Press Command + Shift + 3 at the same time to capture the entire screen. The screenshot will be saved to your desktop.
5. How do I take a screenshot of a specific window?
Press Command + Shift + 4, then press the space bar. Your cursor will turn into a camera icon. Click on the window that you want to capture. The screenshot will be saved to your desktop.
6. How do I take a screenshot of a portion of the screen?
Press Command + Shift + 4, then drag the cursor to select the portion of the screen that you want to capture. The screenshot will be saved to your desktop.
7. Can I take a screenshot that includes the menu bar?
Yes, to capture the entire screen (including the menu bar), press Command + Shift + 3 at the same time.
8. Where do my screenshots get saved?
By default, your screenshots are saved to your desktop, but you can change the default location in your Mac’s settings.
9. How do I edit my screenshots?
You can use the Preview app (included in your Mac) to edit your screenshots. Open the screenshot in Preview and use the editing tools to make changes.
10. Can I take a screenshot of a video?
Yes, you can take a screenshot of a video that is playing on your Mac by pausing the video and taking a regular screenshot (using one of the methods described above)
11. Can I take a screenshot on my Mac using a keyboard shortcut?
Yes, you can use different keyboard shortcuts to take different types of screenshots. Refer to questions #4, #5, and #6 for the specific shortcuts.
12. Can I take a screenshot on my Mac using a third-party app?
Yes, there are many third-party apps available that can help you take screenshots on your Mac. Some popular ones include Snagit, Lightshot, and Skitch.
13. How do I take a screenshot on a Macbook with Touch Bar?
To take a screenshot on a Macbook with Touch Bar, press Command + Shift + 6 at the same time. The screenshot will be saved to your desktop.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to take a screenshot on a Mac, it’s a breeze to capture images of whatever you want. Whether you’re using the keyboard shortcut or the Grab app, you’ll be able to take screenshots like a pro in no time. Remember to use the different options available to you to customize your screenshots and make them perfect.
It’s also worth noting that you can easily edit your screenshots after taking them. Whether you want to crop the image, add annotations, or adjust colors, your Mac has built-in tools to help you do just that. Simply open the screenshot in Preview and start editing.
Closing
Thanks for taking the time to read this article on how to take a screenshot on a Mac. Whether you’re a seasoned Mac user or this is your first time using one, we hope you found this guide helpful. Remember that practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different keyboard shortcuts and options to find the ones that work best for you.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. We’d love to hear from you. Until next time, happy screenshotting!