The Option key on your Mac has some pretty handy (no pun intended?) benefits, from time-saving keyboard shortcuts to access to hidden or ‘bonus’ features.
Some of these things we’ve covered in previous Mac Treats — for example, how to stop the ‘quack’ (hold the Option key while pressing the volume buttons) and how to access your Library folder in 10.7+ (hold the Option key while perusing the Go menu in Finder) — but it can do so much more.
Among the most popular, using the Option key:
- Adds bonus/alternate menu options in the Finder and almost every app
- Accesses ‘Secure Empty Trash’ in the Finder menu
- Enables full-screen Quick Look in a Finder window
- Allows one to move an item rather than pasting in Finder > Edit
- Allows one to bypass System Preferences for certain commands using the menu bar instead
- Gives an option to Show Inspector with Option+Command+I
For more on what the Option key can do for you, take a look at this article at Mac Tuts+.
Note: We covered some the options of the Option key way back in 2008 in Kibbles & Bytes issue #597. Some of these commands have changed over the years, but it’s worth a read in order to explore more Option possibilities!