What are those symbols shown in menus on Mac? (2024)

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Copyright

What are those symbols shown in menus on Mac? (1)

Many app menus on your Mac show key combinations, such as , next to certain menu options. The symbols in the key combinations represent special keyboard keys, called modifier keys.

You can press the key combinations shown in menus to perform actions without opening the menus.

Modifier key	Symbol
Command
Shift
Option
Control
Return
Delete
Forward Delete
Up Arrow
Down Arrow
Left Arrow
Right Arrow
Page Up
Page Down
Top (Home)
End
Tab Right
Tab Left
Escape (Esc)

If you turn on Sticky Keys in Accessibility settings, the Command, Shift, Option, and Control key symbols are shown on the screen when you press those keys. To set this option, choose Apple menu > System Settings, click Accessibility in the sidebar, click Keyboard on the right, then turn on Sticky Keys. (You may need to scroll down.)

Open Keyboard settings for accessibility for me

See alsoWhat’s in the menu bar on Mac?What’s in the Apple menu on Mac?What’s it called on my Mac?Apple Support article: Mac keyboard shortcuts

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