What do Apple keyboard symbols mean

Yes, I admit that the Apple symbols on their keyboard could be quite confusing sometimes especially for those who are new to Mac. When we are trying to get tutorial online or we need to do some setting on our Mac Preference, we will see these symbols a lot:

Shortcut Preference

So, what are really the keys for corresponding shortcut? Let’s take a look of them one by one. I will introduce the 7 most command keys today.

1. Command

Command

This is the command key; sometimes the word “Command” or an Apple logo will also be printed on top.

2. Option

Option

Option key is as known as the “Alt” (Alternate) Key. Most of the time only the words “Option” and/or “Alt” will be printed on the key itself.

3. Control

Control

I have never seen a key with actually this symbol printed on top. I will say 98% of the time you will see the “Control” word there, but just in case you don’t know what this symbol means in the system preference.

4. Escape

We probably don’t use this key very much, but if you hit the combo of “Command” and “Escape”, you will launch “FrontRow” by default; this is the only time I will use this key in shortcut so far.

5.Backspace

By default, hitting this key, the stuffs on the left hand side of your current position will be deleted. But if you want the “Delete” function, you can hold “Fn” (Function Key) while you are hitting this key. However, some Mac keyboards (Apple’s or third party’s) will have have another opposite symbol printed. That’s the “Delete” key, which means it will delete stuffs on the right hand side of your current cursor position.

6.Shift

A very useful key and you will see this symbol a lot during online tutorials. Most of the keyboard will have “Shift” printed on top instead.

7. Eject

Last but not least, the Eject button. While holding it for a while, your optical media disc will be ejected from your Mac. If you have a PC keyboard connected instead of a Mac keyboard. You can eject your optical media by holding F12 for 2 seconds.

Alright, that’s most of it, hopefully you will find this little quick tip useful. If you still don’t understand, leave me a message and I can explain some more. Or if I happen to forgot some of the keys, let me know and I will add them up.