20 Possible ways to use the Option key on a Mac

Of all the key modifiers in Mac the most attention is paid to key Command. And I must say, quite unfairly, since magic is really just the same key Option. You have no idea how many useful actions you can perform! Below 20 Possible ways to use the Option key on a Mac

Cut and Paste

In OS X, files can not be cut. You can only move them by dragging and dropping or copying and pasting, and then removing the source. But if you really want, you can.

To do this, we simply copy the file you want, but paste it into a new folder, not as usual, using keyboard shortcuts ⌘ + V (Command + V), and another while holding down ⌥ (Option). Similarly, this trick works for the bar: when you hold the keys⌥ (Option) item “Insert object” changes to “Move object” that we need.

Deleting files without moving to recycle bin

By default, all the files after removing the fall in recycle bin basket, where they can be restored or permanently deleted. In order not to have to move these files to the waste basket, files can be deleted at once permanently.

To do this, instead of a combination of ⌘ + ⌫ (Command + Delete), use ⌥ + ⌘ + ⌫ (Option + Command + Delete). Through the menu bar the same can be done by holding ⌥ (Option) and select “File” – “Delete immediately.”

Clearing Safari history

Browser History – a delicate thing, which from time to time have to be cleaned at least to increase performance. However, Safari deletes along with the history, cookies and all other data which you might not necessarily want to delete.  

And again we are saved by the magic key Option. Hold it, open the “History” menu and choose Modify paragraph “Clear history, but save the sites data.” Done!

Restarting the Finder

The only program of OS X, which can not be restarted, the Finder. However, a situation where it needs to be restarted, sometimes still occur (for example, to force some changes).

The easiest way to do it – in the context menu, right-clicking on the icon for the Finder to the dock, but as you’ve probably guessed, not just so, and hold down ⌥(Option).

Copy the path to the file or folder

Do you want to insert a direct path to a file in any application? No problem!

Navigate to the folder with the desired file (or another folder) and open the right-click menu. Now click ⌥ (Option), and, as if by magic, will be a new item – “Copy path to the …”.

Jump into the “library”

«Library» (Libraries) – This folder contains the various user data and settings. As it can be accessed through the Finder, but it is much easier and faster to do it with our favorite keys ⌥ (Option).

Better to just click on the icon in the Notification Center menu bar, and holding the magic ⌥ (Option) key.

Change the default application for specific files

OS X can open all popular file types in standard applications. If you have multiple applications for the opening of certain types of files, to choose it as your default programs do not need to wander around and look out there setting the corresponding item. There is a better way.

You just need to open the Finder, and then, right-click on the file, press ⌥(Option). Then select “Open with” change to “Always open in the program,” and we can only choose the desired application from the drop-down list. The same can be done through the item “File” in the menu bar.

Saving a file

While editing the file OS X really cares for him, and offers all the changes recorded in duplicate. But if you just need to keep making progress in the other file, you can use the “hidden” command.

In the “File” menu you must press ⌥ (Option) and select the menu option “Save As.” For those who prefer shortcuts, to remember the combination ⌥ + ⇧ + ⌘ + S (Shift + Option + Command + S).

Fine adjustment of brightness, backlight and volume keys

Scale display brightness control, volume control and keypad illumination has 16 shades. Sometimes this is enough, and sometimes not.

Reduce the step change is possible, if the function keys F1 – F2, F5 – F6, F10 – F11 to add a combination ⇧ + ⌥ (Shift + Option). In this case, each division of the scale will be further broken down into four more.

Entering special characters

Special characters  can be entered from the panel “Emoji character and characters”, which is hidden in the menu, “Keyboard”. They assembled a complete symbol table, divided into categories. If you are such a method does not appeal, there is another.

Use the key ⌥ (Option), you can quickly enter various special characters directly from the keyboard. For example, the combination ⇧ + ⌥ + K (Shift + Option + K) introduces a symbol , you see all the time in the menu bar. Likewise, you can enter the currency icons, arithmetic operations, and any other. While not remember the location of characters, you can spy on, including the display of on-screen keyboard (click on the icon of the input source, then “Display panel” Keyboard “).

Display all subfolders in the Finder

View files in list mode in Finder  is quite convenient. The only thing that annoys is the need to manually open each subfolder. But this trouble can be overcome, if not to forget the key Option.

Just something you need to press the arrow main folder holding ⌥ (Option), and the directory tree will appear before you.

Skipping duplicate files when copying

When you copy files to a folder that are already present, a dialog box prompting you to keep both files, change or stop the copying process.

In fact there is another hidden option: up to skip duplicate files, and it will appear when the dialog box, press Option.

Cancel selection of objects

You probably know the key combination ⌘ + A (Command + A), which works in all applications and allows you to select all the items or content. In the Finder, have opposed this action.

To deselect objects, whether the files or folders, press the same combination, but adding a key ⌥ (Option). So:  ⌥ + ⌘ + A (Command + Option + A).

Hiding windows and forced termination of applications

Unlike Windows, OS X, from the applications can be multiple windows, and if you have a need to display any of them, hiding the rest, it can be easily done using the icon in the dock. And, of course, the key Option. 🙂

To access options, such as display, you simply press ⌥ F1 + (Option + F1). For other functions – similar to this – you should use a combination ⌥ + F3 (Option + F3), ⌥ + F5 (Option + F5) and so on.

Displays detailed information about the network

If you click on the icon Wi-Fi in the menu bar, you will see a list of available networks and a few configuration options. However, here you can view detailed information about the active network Wi-Fi, including your connection speed, IP- and Mac-address and much more.

You probably already knew what to do for this, but just in case, say, you should click on the icon Wi-Fi, hold down ⌥ (Option).

Go to the slide show in Quick Look

Function Quick Look, which allows you to view files by pressing the space bar, one of my favorite features Finder. It would seem that there is already nothing to improve, but there, omnipresent Option key was noted here.

I’m talking about a slide show, to go where you want to deploy the preview window to full screen, or run it through the contextual menu. So if you need to quickly view multiple images in a slide show, simply select it in the Finder, and then not merely a space, ⌥ + spacebar (Option + Spacebar).

Opening Dropbox settings

Click on the icon Dropbox in the menu bar displays the latest files. For the same, to get to the settings, you need to push further into the pop-up window on the gear.

If extra movements are not included in your plans, then to open the settings click on the icon in the menu bar, hold ⌥ (Option), and everything will be much faster.

Skipping a confirmation dialog

When you restart your Mac, the system asks you care, whether you want to open all running applications after login. Without a doubt, this is a useful feature, but sometimes it’s annoying.

To avoid dialogs confirm your action, then all you need to hold down that ⌥(Option) when you press the “Reload”.

Bonus

Hopefully, after reading this article, you will use the Option key more often. If its location you feel uncomfortable, there is good news: a useful Option key can be reassigned to virtually useless Caps Lock. It has a better dimension, and is more convenient.

There are no secrets. Absolutely. Everything is done via standard means the keyboard settings. The required option is on the “Keyboard”, where you should click “Modifier Keys” and specify in the drop-down list for the Caps Lock key replacement key Option.

Now that you have read about the 20 Possible ways to use the Option key on a Mac computer, drop your comment to add more functions this magical key.