Stupid Mac Tricks: Exposé Keyboard Shortcuts

MACOS

After invoking Expose, most people use a mouse to choose windows. But it can be controlled by keyboard, too. After invoking Expose for all apps (F9) or the current app (F10), you can use these keys:

  • arrow keys to move between windows
  • spacebar or return to bring selected window to front and leave Expose
  • tab to move to next visible application (and enter current-app mode if you weren’t in it)
  • backtick or shift-tab to move to previous visible application
  • esc to leave Expose, ignoring window selection but staying in current app even if it has changed since Expose was invoked

Once or twice I’ve definitely confused the window manager this way – ending up with a foreground window with a greyed out title bar, for instance.

Also, if you didn’t know, F9/F10/F11 work in “momentary” mode if you hold them down for about 1/2 second. – when you release the key, Expose exits. Handy with F11 for taking a quick peek at the desktop.

This is the nerdiest thing I have ever posted.

David Gammel commented on Thu Sep 1 17:04:50 2005:

Good tips!

Paul commented on Thu Sep 1 19:11:30 2005:

Thanks, David. May they shave seconds off your workday…

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