How to Take a Screenshot on a Mac: A Complete Guide

Asensio, Learn How to Capture Your Screen on a Mac like a Pro!

Whether you are a professional designer, a student, a gamer or just a casual user, taking a screenshot on a Mac is an essential skill you should know. Screenshots can be used for various purposes such as sharing your work with your clients, keeping track of online transactions, capturing important information, or just for fun. In this article, we will guide you step by step on how to take a screenshot on a Mac. So, let’s get started and take your first screenshot on Mac.

Introduction

Before learning how to take a screenshot on Mac, let’s first understand what a screenshot is. A screenshot is a digital image of whatever content is displayed on your screen at the time you take the screenshot. In simpler terms, it is a photo of your computer screen or a portion of it that you can save, edit or share. There are various ways to take a screenshot on a Mac, depending on the type of screenshot you want to take. In this article, we will discuss different methods of taking screenshots on a Mac in detail.

The following are the different types of screenshots you can take on a Mac:

Type of Screenshot Keyboard Shortcuts
Full Screen Command + Shift + 3
Selected Area Command + Shift + 4
Specific Window Command + Shift + 4 + Spacebar
Touch Bar Command + Shift + 6

How to Take a Screenshot on a Mac

Full Screen Screenshot

If you want to take a screenshot of your entire screen, follow these steps:

Step 1: Press ‘Command + Shift + 3’

Press the ‘Command + Shift + 3’ keys on your keyboard simultaneously to take a full-screen screenshot. The screenshot will be automatically saved on your desktop in PNG format.

Step 2: Edit or Save Your Screenshot

If you want to edit or save your screenshot, you can do it directly from your desktop. You can open the screenshot in Preview, edit it, and save it in any file format you want.

Selected Area Screenshot

If you want to take a screenshot of only a specific portion of your screen, follow these steps:

Step 1: Press ‘Command + Shift + 4’

Press the ‘Command + Shift + 4’ keys on your keyboard simultaneously, and your mouse pointer will turn into a crosshair.

Step 2: Select the Area You Want to Capture

Click and drag the crosshair to select the area you want to capture. Release the mouse button to take the screenshot. The screenshot will be automatically saved on your desktop in PNG format.

Step 3: Edit or Save Your Screenshot

If you want to edit or save your screenshot, you can do it directly from your desktop. You can open the screenshot in Preview, edit it, and save it in any file format you want.

Specific Window Screenshot

If you want to take a screenshot of a specific window, follow these steps:

Step 1: Press ‘Command + Shift + 4 + Spacebar’

Press the ‘Command + Shift + 4 + Spacebar’ keys on your keyboard simultaneously, and your mouse pointer will turn into a camera icon.

Step 2: Select the Window You Want to Capture

Move your mouse pointer over the window you want to capture, and it will be highlighted in blue. Click the window to take the screenshot. The screenshot will be automatically saved on your desktop in PNG format.

Step 3: Edit or Save Your Screenshot

If you want to edit or save your screenshot, you can do it directly from your desktop. You can open the screenshot in Preview, edit it, and save it in any file format you want.

Touch Bar Screenshot

If you want to take a screenshot of your Touch Bar, follow these steps:

Step 1: Press ‘Command + Shift + 6’

Press the ‘Command + Shift + 6’ keys on your keyboard simultaneously to take a screenshot.

Step 2: Edit or Save Your Screenshot

If you want to edit or save your screenshot, you can do it directly from your desktop. You can open the screenshot in Preview, edit it, and save it in any file format you want.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Can I take a screenshot of a video on a Mac?

Yes, you can take a screenshot of a video on a Mac. However, you need to pause the video first, and then take the screenshot.

Q2. How do I take a screenshot with a delay on a Mac?

You can take a screenshot with a delay on a Mac by using the ‘Command + Shift + 5’ keys on your keyboard. This will open the Screenshot app, where you can set a delay time before taking the screenshot.

Q3. How do I change the filename of a screenshot on a Mac?

You can change the filename of a screenshot on a Mac by right-clicking on the screenshot and selecting ‘Rename’ from the options.

Q4. Can I take a screenshot of a specific menu on a Mac?

Yes, you can take a screenshot of a specific menu on a Mac by pressing ‘Command + Shift + 4’, then pressing the Spacebar and clicking on the menu you want to capture.

Q5. Can I take a screenshot of the entire web page on a Mac?

Yes, you can take a screenshot of the entire web page on a Mac by using a third-party app or extension such as Full Page Screen Capture or Paparazzi.

Q6. How do I take a screenshot of a scrolling window on a Mac?

You can take a screenshot of a scrolling window on a Mac by using a third-party app or extension such as Snagit or Nimbus Screenshot.

Q7. How do I take a screenshot on a Mac and automatically save it to the clipboard?

You can take a screenshot on a Mac and automatically save it to the clipboard by using the ‘Command + Control + Shift + 3’ or ‘Command + Control + Shift + 4’ keys on your keyboard. The screenshot will be saved to the clipboard, and you can paste it wherever you want.

Conclusion

Congratulations, Asensio! You have successfully learned how to take a screenshot on a Mac. It’s an important skill that can help you in many ways. We have covered various methods of taking screenshots on a Mac, including full-screen, selected area, specific window, and Touch Bar screenshots. We have also answered some frequently asked questions about taking screenshots on a Mac. With this knowledge, you can easily capture and share your screen content with others. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below.

Happy screenshotting!

Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only. We do not take any responsibility for any damage or loss that may arise from the use of this information. Please use this information at your own risk.