(Estimated time to read: 5 minutes)
For MacOS
The ability to select multiple items on the Mac determines your efficiency. Being able to select all the items you want first, and then applying the task to all the items at once, will allow you to get things done faster and easier.
INTRO:
If we look at ANY process on the computer, it can be drilled down to two actions: “Select” and “Do”.
Half of what we do on the computer is “selecting the things” we want to “apply a task to”. Being able to select all the items we want and applying a task once to all the items at the same time, allows us to get things done with less work, and at a fraction of the time it would take to do individually.
There are four ways to select multiple items:
“Command Click”
“Shift Click”
“Select All”
“Marquee”
The term “item” is used, because these methods of selection work with any file type, application, folder, photo, document, movie, calendar event, note, spreadsheet…etc.
These methods of selecting will work in every application and the Finder.
By watching this video, you will learn all four ways of selecting, how they work together, and ultimately, how to save you time.
Summary:
“Command Click” is a method of selecting that allows you to pick and choose any items, in any order. When you hold Command, and click, you will select, in addition, to the items currently selected. “Command Click” also allows you to deselect individual items in the same way.
“Shift Click” allows you to select items in contiguity. By clicking on the first item, and then “Shift Clicking” on the last item, you will select everything in between the first and last items, reading like a book (left to right, top to bottom).
“Select All” is a method of selecting everything in the “selectable items field”. To facilitate this, hold COMMAND and TAP the letter “A” (for All). The selectable items field is in the active window (the one with the colored traffic lights in the upper left hand corner). This is a great method to trash your junk mail.
The “Marquee” allows you to “draw” a rectangle around the items you want to select, using your mouse. Remember to start outside the item, click and hold with the mouse, then move diagonally to create a rectangle. Anything inside or touching the rectangle will be selected. This is best used when items are in proximity of each other.
Examples:
These four methods of selecting, work together, to produce the best ways for you to select the things that you then want to do something to.
-You might use “Shift Click” to select items in a list, in contiguity, and then use “Command Click” to deselect a few of the items in the middle.
-You might use “Select All” to select everything in the selectable items field, and then use “Command Click” to deselect items you don’t want selected.
-You might use a “Marquee” to select a few photos, and then “Command + Marquee” a few other photos in a different area.
Conclusion:
By learning these methods and practicing them so they come habit, you will unlock one of the most important skills on the Mac. This will ultimately save you time and allow you get more done.
Please contact me with any questions about the information or video above.
Thanks,
