How to Create Custom Keyboard Shortcuts for Any Application in macOS

The Power of Custom Keyboard Shortcuts in macOS

While macOS comes with hundreds of built-in keyboard shortcuts, the real power of the operating system unlocks when you start creating your own. macOS includes a deeply integrated, yet often overlooked, feature that allows you to map a custom keyboard shortcut to almost any menu item in any application. This can drastically speed up your workflow by eliminating repetitive mouse movements.

How macOS Custom Shortcuts Work

The macOS custom shortcut engine works by looking for exact string matches in an application’s menu bar (the menu at the top of the screen). If a menu item exists, you can assign a shortcut to it. This works natively without requiring third-party software like BetterTouchTool or Keyboard Maestro, although those apps are useful for more complex macros.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Custom Shortcut

Step 1: Identify the Exact Menu Command

Before creating a shortcut, you must know the exact name of the command as it appears in the app’s menu bar. This is case-sensitive and must include any special punctuation, such as ellipses (…).

1. Open the application you want to create a shortcut for.
2. Click through the top menu bar to find the command.
3. Write down the exact spelling. For example, in Safari, you might want a shortcut for “Export as PDF…”. Note the three periods.

Step 2: Add the Shortcut in System Settings

1. Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions).
2. Navigate to Keyboard.
3. Click on Keyboard Shortcuts….
4. In the left sidebar, select App Shortcuts.
5. Click the + (plus) button below the list.

Step 3: Configure the Application and Key Combination

A dialog box will appear asking for the application, menu title, and shortcut.

1. Application: By default, this is set to “All Applications”. Click the dropdown and select your specific app (e.g., Safari). If the app isn’t listed, choose “Other…” at the bottom and find it in your Applications folder.
2. Menu Title: Type the exact name of the menu command you identified in Step 1 (e.g., Export as PDF...).
3. Keyboard Shortcut: Click into this field and physically press the combination of keys you want to use. Ensure you use a modifier key (Command, Option, Control, or Shift) to avoid conflicting with regular typing. We recommend something unique like Command + Option + P.
4. Click Done.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If your custom shortcut isn’t working, check the following:

• Ellipsis vs. Three Periods: Some menu items use a dedicated ellipsis character (…, typed with Option + ;), while others use three consecutive periods (...). If one doesn’t work, try the other.
• Conflicting Shortcuts: If you assign a shortcut that is already in use by the app or the system, your custom shortcut will likely be ignored. Try assigning a different key combination.
• Dynamic Menu Items: Some menu items change dynamically based on what is selected. Your shortcut will only work when the menu item matches your entered text exactly.

Conclusion

By leveraging native App Shortcuts in macOS, you can tailor your computing experience to fit your exact workflow. Spending a few minutes setting up shortcuts for your most frequent actions can save hours of repetitive clicking over time.