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Screenshots are essential in many instances, whether you’re explaining something to a colleague or sharing information with friends. On a Mac, taking a screenshot is relatively easier when compared to other operating systems. However, if you are switching from Windows and found out that the snipping tool you always used is no longer on your Mac, don’t worry- you can still take screenshots like the Windows Snipping Tool on your Mac. In this article, we will go through several methods to take a screenshot on Mac like a snipping tool.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
To take a screenshot, you only need your Mac computer. The type of screenshot you want to take will determine the method you use. You can take a partial or full screenshot, save the image to your desktop, or copy the image to the clipboard.
What Requires Your Focus?
To take a screenshot on Mac, you need to focus on the following:
1. Knowing which part of the screen you want to capture: You can capture the whole screen or a portion of the world, either rectangular, oval, or free-form.
2. Choosing the screenshot format: You can choose a screenshot format that best serves your purpose. Your options include .png, .jpg, .pdf, or .tiff.
3. Knowing the screenshot shortcut: Remembering the keyboard shortcut saves you time.
4. Knowing where to find your screenshot: By default, all screenshots are saved on your desktop. It’s good to know the location to move or edit the screenshot if necessary.
Method 1: How to Take a Full Screen Screenshot
Taking a full screen screenshot on a Mac is crucial when you need to capture everything on your screen.
1. Press Command + Shift + 3 simultaneously. The screen will flash white, which signifies the screenshot has been taken.
2. Go to your desktop, and there you will find your screenshot saved as a .png file.
Pros:
• It is the quickest way to take a screenshot on your Mac.
• It captures the entire screen.
Cons:
• It can be challenging when you need to capture only a portion of the screen.
Method 2: How to Take a Partial Screenshot
You can capture a portion of the screen by following these steps:
1. Press Command + Shift + 4 simultaneously. Your cursor will turn into a crosshair.
2. Drag the crosshair to select the portion of the screen you want to capture.
3. Release the mouse to take the screenshot.
4. Go to your desktop to locate the screenshot.
Pros:
• It allows you to take a partial screenshot.
• You can select the portion within the screen you want to capture.
Cons:
• Requires maneuvering the crosshair.
• Might take longer than taking a full screenshot.
Method 3: How to Take a Screenshot of an Open Window
If you want to take a screenshot of the entire window, you can follow the steps below:
1. Press Command + Shift + 4 simultaneously. Your cursor will turn into a crosshair.
2. Press "Spacebar." Your cursor will turn into a camera icon.
3. Hover over the window you want to take a screenshot of.
3. Click on the window, and the screenshot will be saved on the desktop.
Pros:
• Takes a screenshot of the entire window.
• Doesn’t crop out any parts of the window.
Cons:
• Limited to taking a screenshot of the entire window.
Why Can’t I Take a Screenshot on Mac?
1. File permission issues: You may not have the necessary permission to take a screenshot on your Mac. To fix this, you can change the file permissions on your Mac’s security preferences.
2. No enough space on the hard drive: Insufficient space on the hard drive can prevent you from taking a screenshot. Check your Mac’s storage and free up space if necessary.
3. Faulty keyboard: If your keyboard is faulty, some keys like "Command," "Shift," or "Control" might not work. An external keyboard can be used to sort this issue.
Implications and Recommendations
Screenshots are essential in many scenarios, and knowing how to take a screenshot on your Mac saves your time and ensures that you get precisely what you need. Additionally, you can share them with friends, colleagues or use them for future reference.
It’s good to note that taking screenshots can be memory-intensive, and it’s good to periodically delete them if you no longer need them. Doing this helps you to have more space on your Mac’s hard drive.
FAQs
Q: Can I Change the Format of the Screenshot I Take?
A: Yes. By default, the screenshot format is .png. However, you can change the format by going to the terminal app and typing in the appropriate command.
Q: Can I Preview the Screenshot before Saving it?
A: Yes. When you take a screenshot, it usually appears on your desktop. You can click on it to preview the screenshot before deciding whether to save it or discard it.
Q: Can I Edit the Screenshot?
A: Yes. Once you take the screenshot, you can open it with an image editor like Photoshop or Preview. From there, you can resize, crop or add text to the screenshot, among other useful capabilities.
Q: Why am I Not Able to Save the Screenshot as a PDF?
A: This could be because of file permissions or a bug in your Mac’s operating system. Updating your Mac’s OS can solve this.
Q: I Want to Take a Screenshot of a Video. How Can I Do This?
A: To take a screenshot of a video on your Mac, you can use the same shortcut keys for taking a screenshot of the whole screen or part of the screen, depending on the type of shot you want to take.
In Conclusion
Taking a screenshot on a Mac is simple once you know how to do it. It’s a powerful feature that’s useful for a wide variety of tasks, from demonstrating software issues to preserving information for future reference. Using the methods listed above, you can take a screenshot on your Mac like a snipping tool, regardless of the Mac you are using.
