Just a quick question

walidshrf · walidshrf #1 (**permalink**)

03-30-2010, 05:20 PM

I've had a Macbook for about 6 months now. And I've gotten pretty accustomed to it. However, one thing that I still haven't worked out and don't really know how to search on how to do it, is this:

If you take a look at this picture:

How I do move from one option to the other by using just my keyboard? In the picture 'Shut Down' is highlighted. If I wanted to move to the left to 'Sleep', how would I do that using my keyboard?

I know on windows it was just a simple left arrow, right arrow but I can't quite figure it out on OS X

Thanks guys

Corbab · Corbab #2 (**permalink**)

03-30-2010, 05:23 PM

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that's not possible. If you really don't want to use your mouse, you can hold down the power button to shut down the computer, but that's not especially healthy for the computer. I'd say just deal with using the mouse.

McYukon · McYukon #3 (**permalink**)

03-30-2010, 06:09 PM

You can use these keyboard shortcuts to restart/sleep/shutdown your mac.

Option-Command-Eject
Put the computer to sleep

Control-Command-Eject
Quit all applications (after giving you a chance to save changes to open documents), then restart the computer

Control Option-Command-Eject
Quit all applications (after giving you a chance to save changes to open documents), then shut down the computer

And please do not shutdown your computer by just pressing and holding the power button, this will basically brute-force a shutdown on your mac and will after time make the system unable to start. Only do it when the computer is frozen and you can't shut it down the normal way.

Full list of keyboard shortcuts for mac.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1343

Slydude · Slydude #4 (**permalink**)

03-30-2010, 06:22 PM

Try this when you get that dialog. As far as I can tell it still works:

The default option is Shut Down simply press Enter/Return
Cancel Press Escape
Sleep press s
I believe r Restarts

walidshrf · walidshrf #5 (**permalink**)

03-30-2010, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McYukon

You can use these keyboard shortcuts to restart/sleep/shutdown your mac.

Option-Command-Eject
Put the computer to sleep

Control-Command-Eject
Quit all applications (after giving you a chance to save changes to open documents), then restart the computer

Control Option-Command-Eject
Quit all applications (after giving you a chance to save changes to open documents), then shut down the computer

And please do not shutdown your computer by just pressing and holding the power button, this will basically brute-force a shutdown on your mac and will after time make the system unable to start. Only do it when the computer is frozen and you can't shut it down the normal way.

Full list of keyboard shortcuts for mac.
Mac OS X keyboard shortcuts

Sorry I didn't make it clear initially. I was just using this as an example. There's loads of times where there's different options and I just want to be able to move left and right and choose the different options just by using my keyboard. It's not too much of a problem but it just makes life that little bit easier, lol. Is that possible do you think?

dtravis7 · dtravis7 #6 (**permalink**)

03-30-2010, 06:37 PM

I use the TAB key to select the box and I believe the Spacebar to select that option.

Slydude · Slydude #7 (**permalink**)

03-30-2010, 06:40 PM

That's why the Tab function didn't work correctly. I forgot that you have to use the spacebar to "confirm" the selection.

dtravis7 · dtravis7 #8 (**permalink**)

03-30-2010, 06:54 PM

Since I rarely use it, I do the same thing and forget. I had to try it here in fact to refresh my memory before I posted.

McYukon · McYukon #9 (**permalink**)

03-30-2010, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtravis7

I use the TAB key to select the box and I believe the Spacebar to select that option.

If the above doesn't work, you will need to enable "All Controls" under the keyboard preferences.

walidshrf · walidshrf #10 (**permalink**)

03-31-2010, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slydude

That's why the Tab function didn't work correctly. I forgot that you have to use the spacebar to "confirm" the selection.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtravis7

I use the TAB key to select the box and I believe the Spacebar to select that option.

Quote:

Originally Posted by McYukon

If the above doesn't work, you will need to enable "All Controls" under the keyboard preferences.

Sweet! thanks a lot guys, I knew there must of been a way

. Appreciate it!

skybolt · skybolt #11 (**permalink**)

03-31-2010, 11:12 AM

Generally, pressing the first letter of the preferred option will select that option, as illustrated in response #4 for the dialog box you used for illustration. Works on all (almost all?) option boxes.

Corbab #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 13, 2009 Posts: 306 Mac Specs: MacBook Pro, 2.53 GHz, 4 GB DDR3, 250 GB HDD, 10.6.4	03-30-2010, 05:23 PM I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that's not possible. If you really don't want to use your mouse, you can hold down the power button to shut down the computer, but that's not especially healthy for the computer. I'd say just deal with using the mouse. Just a stupid kid with a computer, so take my advice with a grain of salt if that makes a difference to you.
	QUOTE Thanks

Slydude #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 15, 2009 Location: North Louisiana, USA Posts: 3,879 Mac Specs: 2.8 GHz MacBook Pro 10.8,3 8 GB mem, 2.66 GHz Mac Pro - Dead, iPhone 4	03-30-2010, 06:22 PM Try this when you get that dialog. As far as I can tell it still works: The default option is Shut Down simply press Enter/Return Cancel Press Escape Sleep press s I believe r Restarts Sylvester Roque Former Contributing Editor About This Particular Macintosh No matter what time it is where I am it's early morning somewhere in the world. At that hour of the morning follow my advice at your own risk. Anything sounds good before your first cup of coffee
	QUOTE Thanks

dtravis7 #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 04, 2005 Location: Modesto, Ca. Posts: 25,777 Mac Specs: iMac C2D Late 2007 20" with 10.8.3, Macbook Santa Rosa 4GB Ram OSX 10.8.3	03-30-2010, 06:37 PM I use the TAB key to select the box and I believe the Spacebar to select that option. ...Dennis Mac-Forums Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

Slydude #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 15, 2009 Location: North Louisiana, USA Posts: 3,879 Mac Specs: 2.8 GHz MacBook Pro 10.8,3 8 GB mem, 2.66 GHz Mac Pro - Dead, iPhone 4	03-30-2010, 06:40 PM That's why the Tab function didn't work correctly. I forgot that you have to use the spacebar to "confirm" the selection. Sylvester Roque Former Contributing Editor About This Particular Macintosh No matter what time it is where I am it's early morning somewhere in the world. At that hour of the morning follow my advice at your own risk. Anything sounds good before your first cup of coffee
	QUOTE Thanks

dtravis7 #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 04, 2005 Location: Modesto, Ca. Posts: 25,777 Mac Specs: iMac C2D Late 2007 20" with 10.8.3, Macbook Santa Rosa 4GB Ram OSX 10.8.3	03-30-2010, 06:54 PM Since I rarely use it, I do the same thing and forget. I had to try it here in fact to refresh my memory before I posted. ...Dennis Mac-Forums Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

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walidshrf #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 30, 2010 Posts: 3	03-30-2010, 05:20 PM I've had a Macbook for about 6 months now. And I've gotten pretty accustomed to it. However, one thing that I still haven't worked out and don't really know how to search on how to do it, is this: If you take a look at this picture: How I do move from one option to the other by using just my keyboard? In the picture 'Shut Down' is highlighted. If I wanted to move to the left to 'Sleep', how would I do that using my keyboard? I know on windows it was just a simple left arrow, right arrow but I can't quite figure it out on OS X Thanks guys
	QUOTE Thanks

skybolt #11 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 22, 2007 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 681 Mac Specs: White 2010 MB, Core 2 Duo, 8g RAM, iPhone 4S, iPad Mini, Apple TV	03-31-2010, 11:12 AM Generally, pressing the first letter of the preferred option will select that option, as illustrated in response #4 for the dialog box you used for illustration. Works on all (almost all?) option boxes. Mary
	QUOTE Thanks

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