“I cannot see any key labeled as the Option key on my Macbook keyboard“
These are common questions on various search engines, as many users try to get instructions on how to find and use the Option key.
You’re probably here because you are following a tutorial that needs you to use the Option key. If you looked at your keyboard and couldn’t find it, worry not. We’ve got your back.
Let’s dive in and find out where is the alt key on a Mac and what kind of things you can do with it.
Where’s The Mac Option Key On a Windows Keyboard?
The Windows keyboard’s Alt key is equivalent to Mac’s Option key. It’s not strange or unheard of to find someone working on their Mac using a Windows keyboard. Long-term users of Macs switching to a Windows keyboard can rely on the Alt key to perform the functions of the Option key on Mac keyboards.
Here’s a table with other equivalent keys between Mac and Windows keyboards:
| Window Key | Mac Key |
| Alt | Option |
| Ctrl | Command |
| Windows Key | Command |
| Delete | Back Space |
| Page Up | Command + Up Arrow key |
| Page Down | Command + Down Arrow key |
| Home | Command + Left Arrow key |
| End | Command + Right Arrow key |
| Scroll Lock | F14 More on Mac Scroll Lock |
| Print Screen | Command + Shift + 3 |
| Selection Print Screen | Command + Shift + 4 |
What Is The Option Key On a Mac?
The Option key is a modifier key that, in combination with other keys, sends specific commands or completes shortcuts. By holding the opt key with certain key combinations, you can do things that normally require a trackpad or a mouse.
For example, the Option key on MacBook can be used to generate characters that do not physically appear on the keyboard.
Any computer user needs to be familiar with the Option and Alt key, as they are the cornerstones of any keyboard experience. They help issue keystrokes, access hidden functions, and perform many other functions.
Where Is The Option Key On a Mac?
The Option key in Macs, also known as the “Alternate” key, is commonly labeled with Alt and the ⌥ symbol. It is usually located between the Command and Ctrl keys on the left side of the bottom row of Apple keyboards. Newer Macs with larger keyboards come in variants that have an Option/Alt key (right side of the keyboard)
Where Is The “Alt” Key On a MacBook Keyboard?
The “Alt” key is the equivalent of the “Option” key on Mac and it’s located at between the “Control” key and the “Command” key. There’s a secondary “Alt” located on the right-hand side of the keyboard, between the “Command” key and the “Left arrow” key.
Things You Can Do With The Option Key on a Mac
The Option key carries a myriad of essential uses on the Mac, depending on the key combinations and application. To some degree, it is safe to say that the Option key for Mac users holds a lot more responsibility compared to the alt key on the PC.
Common Usages For The Option Key
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Closing All Windows
Option+Command+WThe Option key (Alt), in conjunction with the “close window” command (Command+W), automatically closes all open windows in the currently used program.When any unsaved programs are in operation, the program will ask you whether you would like to save the changes made to the program before entirely closing down the file in use.
-
Typing Symbols And Accent Marks
Option + Other KeyWhen used with other keys, the Option key can generate special characters like the @symbol (Option + L) and accent marks such as © and Æ, among others. -
Navigational Purposes
Option + Left/Right arrowHold down the Option key and press left or right for easier navigation on either side. -
Copying Files
Option + Mouse DraggingHold down the Option Key while you drag your files with the mouse to another folder or the Finder. Release the file and a new copy will be created.
Shortcut Keys in Finder
- New Smart Folder
Option + Command + N - Close all Finder Windows
Option + Command + W - Make an Alias of The Selected Items
Option + Command + Control + A - Show The Original For The Chosen Alias
Option + Command + Control +A - Expand The Highlighted Folder And All Subfolders
Option + Command + Right Arrow - Show/hide The Path Bar in Finder Windows
Option + Command + P - Show/hide The SideBar in Finder Windows
Option + Command + S - Perform a Spotlight Search from a Finder Window
Option + Command + Control +Space Bar - Open The Downloads Folder
Option + Command + L - Put Your Mac To Sleep
Option + Command + Power Button - Quit All Apps, Then Shut Down Your Mac
Option + Control + Command + Power Button - Log Out Of Your macOS User Account Without Confirmation Dialog
Option + Shift + Command + Q - Empty The Trash Without Confirmation Dialog
Option + Shift + Command + Delete
Shortcuts In The Menu Bar
- Enable “Do Not Disturb” Mode
Option+ Notification Center - Reveal Available Input/Output Devices
Option + Volume icon
Shortcuts Within The Dock
- Hide/Expose The Dock
Option + Command + D - Open the “Force Quit Option” in the Dock App
Option + Up Arrow
Shortcuts Within Apple Apps
General Apps
- View The Front App But Hide All Other Apps
Option + Command + H - Minimize All Windows Of The Front App
Option + Command + M - Force Quit An App
Option + Command + ESC
Photo
- Rotate Image Clockwise
Option + Cmd + R(Rotating anticlockwise needs onlyCommand + R) - Create a Smart Album
Option + Cmd + N
Safari
- Empty Browser Cache
Option + Cmnd + E - View The Page Source
Option + Cmd + U - Show Top Sites
Option + Cmd + 1 - Show History
Option + Cmd + 2 - Show Download
Option + Cmd + L
Music
- Go Forward or Backward on the song
Option + Cmd + Right/Left Arrow - Playing Next queue
Option + Cmd + U - Listen to the next or previous album on your list
Option + Right/Left Arrow - Open The Equalizer
Option + Cmd + E - Create a new Smart Playlist
Option + Cmd + N - Start the Genius Shuffle
Option + Spacebar - Delete The Selected Song
Option + Delete - Open/Close The Mini-Player
Option + Cmd + M - Switch Between Custom and Maximum Window Sizes
Option + Green Button in the Top Left Corner of the Music Window - Hide All Other Apps When on Music
Option + Cmd + H
The functions mentioned above are only a few of the many functions this special key can do when utilized properly.
Enjoy More Functions With Option Key On Mac
As mentioned earlier, the Mac Option key is what on Windows keyboards is labeled as the ALT key. These functions we have mentioned are not, by any means, all the possible combinations you could try.
However, they represent some of the most commonly used shortcuts and functionalities made possible by using the Option key.
For MacBook subscribers transitioning to using the Windows keyboard, it is expected that they will spot some differences between the two keyboards.
As you learn which ones they are and what they do, you can continue to make your Mac experience faster and easier.
