How-to
How-to guides for files and the clipboard on a Mac
Short, checked answers to everyday Mac tasks. The built-in way first; dragand only where it saves you steps.
Guides
Pick a task.
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Move files between apps
Start dragging the file, keep holding, press ⌘Tab to switch to the app you want, then drop it into its window.
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Copy instead of move
Hold ⌥ Option while you drag the file. A green + on the pointer means Finder will copy it and leave the original where it is.
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Move instead of copy
Hold ⌘ Command while you drag the file to the other disk; Finder moves it instead of copying it.
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See clipboard history
On macOS 26 or later, press ⌘Space to open Spotlight, then ⌘4 to see what you copied recently.
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Paste without formatting
Press ⌥⇧⌘V (Paste and Match Style) instead of ⌘V. The text takes on the style of the place you paste into.
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Copy a file path
Select the file in Finder and press ⌥⌘C. The full path is copied, ready to paste.
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Find recent downloads
In Finder press ⌥⌘L to open Downloads, then sort by Date Added so the newest file is on top.
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Clean up your Desktop
Right-click the Desktop and choose Use Stacks, then send screenshots and downloads somewhere else so it stops filling up.
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Screenshot to the clipboard
Press ⌃⇧⌘4, select an area, and the screenshot is copied to the clipboard instead of saved; paste it with ⌘V.
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Keep an iCloud file downloaded
In Finder, Control-click the file in iCloud Drive and choose Keep Downloaded (macOS Sequoia or later).
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Undo a move in Finder
Press ⌘Z in Finder straight after the move; the file goes back where it was.
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Attach a file to an email
Drag the file from Finder into the body of the message in Mail; it attaches where you drop it.
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Drag into a full-screen app
Start dragging the file in Finder, then press ⌘Tab and choose the full-screen app; drop the file into it.
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Try dragand free.
A file shelf on the edge of your Mac that cleans itself.
