Using a Mac offers a world of possibilities with its customizable features and user-friendly interface. However, most of us barely scratch the surface of what our Macs can truly do. Often, there are simpler and more efficient ways to perform common tasks on your Mac, but they remain hidden until someone reveals them to you.
With that in mind, let’s delve into 5 quick macOS tips that will transform your Mac experience into a seamless journey. These tips are designed for macOS Ventura, but they should work on earlier versions of Apple’s Mac operating system as well.
1. Streamline Your Workflow with Stationery Pad
Stationery Pad is your secret weapon to streamline your workflow when working with document templates on your Mac. This underutilized Finder feature instructs the parent application to open a copy of a file by default, preserving the original file from any unintended changes. You can designate almost any file type as a template with Stationery Pad, making it perfect for simplifying common tasks like Photoshop projects, creating skeleton HTML/CSS files, or managing Word document invoices.
To activate Stationery Pad, simply right-click (or Ctrl-click) the file you want to use as a template, choose ‘Get Info,’ and check the ‘Stationery Pad’ checkbox in the General section. Close the ‘Get Info’ window by clicking the red traffic light button. From now on, double-clicking the template file will automatically create and open a copy of it, leaving the original untouched.
While Stationery Pad may not be in the spotlight these days, it’s a clever alternative to repeatedly editing templates and relying on the ‘Save As…’ command, which can sometimes result in overwriting the original file if you’re not careful.
2. Explore a Variety of File Formats in Preview
When saving or exporting a file in Preview, unlock a hidden treasure trove of additional file formats by simply Option-clicking the Format dropdown menu.
3. Navigate Back to Your Safari Search Results with Ease
We’ve all been there: you start with a simple online search in Safari’s address bar, click on a promising link, and then get lost in a web of related topics and distractions. Before you know it, you’ve strayed far from your initial search intent.
If this scenario sounds familiar, Safari SnapBack is your solution. It eliminates the need to tediously click the ‘previous page’ button multiple times or sift through your browsing history to find your way back to your original search results. You can access it in Safari’s menu bar under ‘History’ -> ‘Search Results SnapBack,’ or better yet, use the convenient Command-Option-S keyboard shortcut.
A quick note: SnapBack only works if your wandering browsing occurred in the same tab where you initiated the search. If a link opened a new tab, and you continued browsing there, the SnapBack option will be grayed out. Additionally, the search must be initiated from Safari’s address bar or from the search engine specified in Safari’s settings.
These macOS tips will undoubtedly enhance your Mac experience and help you uncover the full potential of your Apple device.
4. Harness the Power of Modifier Keys to Control Hot Corners
macOS offers a nifty feature known as Hot Corners, which transforms each corner of your screen into a hub of quick actions, such as activating Mission Control, summoning the Notification Center, engaging the Screen Saver, and more. It’s undeniably satisfying to trigger these essential functions with a swift cursor dance. However, the less enjoyable side of the coin involves accidentally setting off a Hot Corner, resulting in unintended desktop chaos, with application windows flying about. But fret not, for there exists a method to reign in the unruly Hot Corners – by employing the magic of modifier keys.
To embark on this journey, venture into System Settings, navigate to Desktop & Dock, and scroll down to unearth the Hot Corners option. A dialog box will greet you. Select your chosen screen corner from the dropdown menu, and then, with a sense of control and purpose, hold down a modifier key while you select the desired function from the menu. In our example, we’re wielding the Shift-Command combo as our secret weapon. With this newfound mastery, the next time you approach a Hot Corner, simply clutch those modifier keys as you guide the cursor towards it. Without this gesture of control, the action you assigned to that corner shall remain dormant.
5. Expand Your Dock’s Horizon: Display More Recent Applications
Within the realm of macOS lies a delightful feature known as “Show recent applications in Dock.” This gem, nestled in the confines of System Settings, Desktop & Dock, introduces a discreet divider to your Mac’s Dock. Behind this divider, it showcases applications you’ve recently utilized, ones that have not found permanent residency on your Dock. By default, this feature offers a mere glimpse of the three most recently employed apps that have gracefully exited the stage. However, there exists a secret path to unveil more, a valuable treasure trove for those who tread the path of multitasking.
If you possess the courage to wield Terminal commands, you can seize control over the number of recently opened apps that grace your Dock’s presence. To begin this journey, open the Terminal application, which resides within /Applications/Utilities/. Then, gracefully paste the following incantation into the command prompt, and with determination, press Enter:
defaults write com.apple.dock show-recents -bool true;
defaults write com.apple.dock show-recent-count -int 10;
killall Dock
Take heed, for the “-int” incantation defines the quantity of recently opened apps that shall parade after the divider. In this example, it stands at 10. You possess the power to alter this number to suit your needs, and should you ever yearn for simplicity, a mere “-int 3” in the second command shall restore the elegant trio of apps to their rightful place.
