How do I go to a specific folder in Finder?

Press Shift-Command-G in Finder, type or paste the folder's path, and press Return.

How do I preview a file without opening it on a Mac?

Select it in Finder and press the Space bar to see it with Quick Look. Press Space again to close it.

How do I show the full path of a folder in Finder?

Press Option-Command-P to show the path bar at the bottom of the window. You can also Command-click the window title to see the folders above it.

How do I move a file instead of copying it?

Copy it with Command-C, then press Option-Command-V in the destination folder to move it there. When dragging to another disk, hold Command to move instead of copy.

How do I empty the Trash with the keyboard?

Press Shift-Command-Delete, then confirm. Add Option to skip the confirmation.

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Mac Finder Shortcuts: Open, Move and Find Files From the Keyboard

Name: TypeFire
Author: TypeFire

October 27, 2026by TypeFire

mac finder shortcutsfinder keyboard shortcutsgo to folder macmac quick look shortcutmac file shortcuts

Finder shortcuts for getting to files and doing things with them, from Apple's own list, checked October 27, 2026. Part of the Mac keyboard shortcuts guide.

Getting to a folder

Shortcut	Opens
Shift-Command-G	Go to Folder: type any path
Shift-Command-H	Your home folder
Shift-Command-D	Desktop
Shift-Command-O	Documents
Option-Command-L	Downloads
Shift-Command-I	iCloud Drive
Shift-Command-R	AirDrop
Shift-Command-U	Utilities
Command-Up Arrow	The folder above
Command-[ and Command-]	Back and forward

Looking at files

Shortcut	What it does
Space	Quick Look the selected file
Option-Command-Y	Quick Look slideshow of the selection
Command-1, 2, 3, 4	Icon, list, column and gallery view
Command-I	Get Info
Command-J	View options
Shift-Command-P	Show or hide the preview pane
Option-Command-P	Show or hide the path bar
Option-Command-S	Show or hide the sidebar
Command-/	Show or hide the status bar

Doing things with files

Shortcut	What it does
Command-Down Arrow	Open the selected item
Command-D	Duplicate
Shift-Command-N	New folder
Control-Command-N	New folder containing the selected items
Control-Command-A	Make an alias
Command-Delete	Move to Trash
Shift-Command-Delete	Empty the Trash
Option-Command-V	Move copied files here, instead of copying them
Command-E	Eject the selected disk

Drag tricks

Option while dragging copies the item instead of moving it.
Command while dragging to another disk moves it instead of copying.
Option-Command while dragging makes an alias.
Command-click the window title shows every folder above the current one.

Reading Markdown and other files with Space

Quick Look shows most files when you press Space: images, PDFs, text, video. Markdown files are the exception people notice. By default, a .md file previews as raw text, symbols and all.

TypeFire adds a Quick Look extension that shows .md files formatted, with headings, tables, task lists and code. Select a README, press Space, and read it. It's free, and it works on any Markdown file on your Mac, whichever app made it. See Markdown in Quick Look.

More shortcuts by task: text editing, screenshots, and all of them.

Mac Finder Shortcuts: Open, Move and Find Files From the Keyboard