Taking a screenshot on a Macbook is a quick and easy process, but there are multiple ways to do it depending on your specific needs. Whether you need to capture a full screen or just a portion of it or add annotations and markups, this guide will show you how to take and edit screenshots on your Macbook.
Using Shortcuts
- Press “Command + Shift + 3” to take a screenshot of the entire screen.
- Press “Command + Shift + 4” to take a screenshot of a selected area.
- Press “Command + Shift + 4 + Spacebar” to take a screenshot of a specific window.
- Press “Command + Control + Shift + 4” to copy a portion of the screen to the clipboard.
Using the Touch Bar
Another way to take a screenshot on your Macbook is by using the Touch Bar. If your Macbook has a Touch Bar, you can take a screenshot by pressing the “Command + Shift + 3” keys at the same time. This is a convenient way to take a screenshot if you don’t want to use the keyboard shortcuts.
Using Third-Party Apps
If you want more advanced options, you can install a third-party app that provides additional editing tools and options. These apps can be found in the App Store and can be easily downloaded and installed on your Macbook.
Using Preview
Preview is a built-in utility that allows you to name your screenshot and share it with a click. You can use Preview to open your screenshot, and then use HTML screenshot generator with editing tools to crop, adjust the size, and add text, shapes, and drawings to your screenshots.
Screenshotting Modal Windows
You can also take a screenshot of a modal window, such as a YouTube video, by holding down Command-Control-Shift-4, which will allow you to copy a portion of the screen.
Recording Your Screen
Depending on the software you use, you might be able to capture a video of your screen. Previously, this was only possible through the QuickTime Player. Now, you can record your screen with Apple’s own screen recording utility.
Using macOS Mojave
If you’re using macOS Mojave, you can find a more robust screenshot menu. For example, you can click the “Show Floating Thumbnail” option, which will create a tiny thumbnail when you take a screenshot.
Additional Tips and Tricks
- A key trick to keep in mind when taking screenshots is to use the cursor’s arrow to select the best area to capture. This is a much more precise way of taking a screenshot than dragging the mouse. However, you will need to be aware that the cursor does not follow the mouse, which means you will need to make sure you’re pressing the space bar.
- You can also use the mouse to click the small, round thumbnail at the bottom of the screen. After doing this, a screenshot editing window will open, displaying a list of options for you to choose from. When you’re satisfied with your choice, you can either save the image or share it with a friend.
- Another handy trick is to hold down the Option key while using the “Command + Shift + 4” shortcut to take a screenshot of a selected area. This will allow you to move the cursor from one corner to the other while maintaining its center.
- Lastly, it’s worth noting that the screenshots you take on your Macbook are automatically saved to your desktop with the filename “Screenshot (date) (time).png”. If you want to change the location where the screenshots are saved, you can do so by going to your Mac’s System Preferences and selecting “Screenshots.”
Conclusion
Taking and editing screenshots on a Macbook is a quick and easy process, and there are multiple ways to do it depending on your specific needs. Whether you need to capture a full screen or just a portion of it, or add annotations and markups, this guide has shown you how to take and edit screenshots on your Macbook. With the use of shortcut keys, touch bar, third-party apps, preview, recording screen, macOS Mojave, and tips and tricks mentioned above you can easily capture and edit screenshots on your Macbook.
