Have you ever pressed the Alt key on the Apple keyboard and wondered why nothing happens? By default, pressing only Alt does not execute any system command. However, in combination with other keys, tertiary key assignments can be accessed and thus a wide variety of frequently used special characters. In addition, on Mac devices, you can directly perform various functions with this key . Here are the keyboard shortcuts and the most important functions of the Alt key on Mac..
The Alt key (also known as the Select or Option key) is recognized on Apple keyboards by the following symbol:?. This icon represents a detour and indicates the function of the key itself: with a keyboard shortcut with Alt, secondary options and alternative key assignments are activated , which allow you to enter different special characters. On some keyboards, the key also has the name? Alt? or, on English keyboards, the word? option ?.
On Windows keyboards, this key is not marked with the offset icon, but rather the Alt label. To learn more about its use and function on Microsoft systems, visit our comprehensive article on the Alt key in Windows..
There are two Alt keys on the Mac keyboard . Both are on the bottom row of the keyboard, one to the left and one to the right of the command key. They have the same function so you can press the one that is most accessible to you to combine it with other keys.
In combination with other keys, the Alt key on the Mac keyboard lets you activate a variety of functions that can otherwise only be accessed by navigating menus. The available commands depend on the window or program open: for example, the Alt key executes different options in the Finder and in a text document. If you put the cursor in a text field or in a word processor, with the Alt key you can access the tertiary assignments of the keys, that is, to special characters ..
Regardless of whether you are in the Finder, in a program, or in a text field, the Alt key on Mac allows you to take keyboard shortcuts to activate different commands and functions. Here are some useful combinations to help you quickly and conveniently access various features and special characters.
If you want to configure the Apple or macOS system, you can use the Alt key to quickly activate different functions . There are also combinations that put the equipment in a state of rest. The following table summarizes the most important keyboard shortcuts:
With the corresponding key combination, you can show and hide the Dock . If you select an application in the Dock with the left mouse button and, at the same time, press the [alt] key, you will execute other functions :
With these keyboard shortcuts, different settings are made . Some allow you to set the brightness of the screen and keyboard in subtle gradations . If you need, you can customize other shortcuts in the keyboard settings.
With the following [alt] shortcuts, you will execute the usual commands faster , so that you will work more efficiently.
If the Finder application is open in the foreground, you can show or hide additional functions or execute commands for the selected file with the corresponding keyboard shortcut.
Many of the frequently used special characters are visible on Windows keyboards. If you press the corresponding key at the same time as [Alt Gr], you access the tertiary assignments . On macOS you get these sub-functions with the [alt] key , although the available special characters are not visible on Apple keyboards. The following summary shows the most important characters and how to enter them:
Don't miss our article on the most important AltGr keyboard shortcuts.