One of the best additions to modern technology is the ability to quickly capture a screenshot and save it to your device’s photos. You don’t have to copy and paste lines of text or frantically write notes trying to retain important information in a video or slide show! But how do you take a screenshot on a Mac, ultimately working more efficiently?

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The process is pretty simple! Mac uses a keyboard shortcut to activate the screenshot function, and you can capture your entire screen or just a snippet. We’ll show you how to take different screenshots on a Mac and where to find them!

How to Take a Full Screenshot on a Mac

Sometimes you’re on a video conference and have to grab the screen quickly to capture notes. If the content on your screen is moving quickly, it’s best to take a full screenshot. A quick screen grab will immediately capture everything on your screen and save it to your Mac.

When you take a full screenshot on a Mac, the image includes everything (including the menu bar at the top and your dock). The following steps will teach you how to take a full screenshot on a Mac.

Step 1: Open the Webpage or App

Naturally, we’ll start by opening the webpage, app, document, or whatever program you need.

If you need side-by-side comparisons of something, use your cursor to minimize or maximize the size of the content. Then, drag them where you want them.

Step 2: Use the keyboard shortcut.

After positioning the apps on the screen as you’d like to capture them, use the following keyboard shortcut:

Command+Shift+3

Your computer will give you confirmation feedback with a sound and thumbnail in the right corner.

Step 3: Locate Your Screenshot

You can open the thumbnail by clicking on it. The thumbnail will open in Preview. But you have to be quick because the thumbnail doesn’t last long. If you miss it, your screenshot should save to the Desktop.

Helpful Hint: If you can’t find the screenshot, we explain how to find it below.

How to Take a Partial Screenshot on a Mac

Perhaps you don’t want the entire screen. Maybe you want to capture an email or text snippet (cutout). Maybe, you only need a small portion of a web page, or your want to screenshot a great meme!

Rather than taking a full screenshot on your Mac and cropping it later, you can cut out the image. The process is as simple as taking a full screenshot with an extra step.

Step 1: Open the Webpage or App You’d Like to Snip

Find the content that you want to screenshot. This content could be an app, webpage, image, text, or anything you want.

Locate the content you want to capture in the Dock, Finder, or Launchpad and open it.

Step 2: Use the Keyboard Shortcut

Similar to taking screenshots of your entire Mac screen, we’ll use another keyboard shortcut. Type:

Command+Shift+4

Unlike taking a full screenshot, your image won’t capture immediately. You’ll have to follow the next step to get your desired image.

Step 3: Collect the Screen Capture

Your cursor will transform into a crosshair design. Click on one corner of the image you want to create. Then, drag your cursor and let go of it when everything you want to save is inside the box.

How to Edit Screenshots on a Mac

Now that you have your screenshot, you can make some edits. Perhaps you want to highlight a portion of the screen or draw on it. Here’s how:

Step 1: Open Your Screenshot in Preview

You can double-click the thumbnail that appears in the lower right section of your screen immediately after taking a screenshot on your Mac. Or, you can double-click it in the Finder.

If you don’t initially see your screenshot, go to the next section, and we’ll show you how to find it.

Step 2: Click the A Icon to the Right

If you don’t see the edit options immediately, click the A icon to the right. It will have a circle around it.

Step 3: Use the Squiggle Icon to Draw

Look at the top of the Preview window. You’ll see a list of icons that you can choose to make edits.

Select the squiggle icon to draw something freehand on the screen. Then, use your cursor to draw whatever you want.

Step 4: Click the Color Changing Boxes to Change the Text

Further to the right, you’ll see two color-changing boxes. The first one is the color of the lines or outer ring (if you include a design). The second box is the fill; if you include a template but want it to have a particular color, choose the second color icon.

Step 5: Insert Arrows, Boxes, Stars, etc.

The Circle/Box icon gives you several templates you can insert into your image. You can include a chat bubble, arrows, boxes, and even a star!

Step 6: Click File>Save

Now, click File>Save. Then, you can select your file location and format.

How to Find Screenshots on a Mac

Screenshots on a Mac are saved to the Desktop by default. The easiest way to find them is to go to the Finder.

However, you can also choose where to save your screenshot using the Command+Shift+5 keyboard shortcut. You can adjust the screenshot box, then click the Options box at the bottom. Then, select the file location.

But, if you didn’t do that when you captured the screenshot, follow these steps to find it:

Step 1: Open the Finder

The Mac’s Finder is like a treasure box of digital information. Every app, image, document, etc., can quickly be located in the Finder.

Looking at the dock on your Mac, double-click the two-face icon to the left.

Step 2: Click Recents

The first place to look for your missing screenshot is the Recents tab. Assuming you took the screenshot recently, it will appear near the top. But the Recents folder will show any document type that you opened recently.

If you don’t find the image in your Recents folder, try the Desktop. Mac screenshots typically save directly to your desktop.

Now, scroll through the content and double-click your screenshot to open it.

Capture the Screen!

Apple products are so incredibly user-friendly that it’s no surprise the company makes it really easy to capture screenshots. You can grab the entire screen or cut out the pieces you want! You don’t have to click anywhere on the screen; a simple keyboard shortcut does the job!

Whether you’re trying to take notes for school or share a funny meme with your best friend, you can take a screenshot on your Mac and move on with your day!

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