How To Screenshot On Mac and Crop

Mac users often find themselves in situations where capturing and cropping screenshots is essential for various tasks, from sharing information to creating visual content. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the simple steps to capture screenshots on a Mac and how to crop them using built-in tools.

How To Screenshot On Mac and Crop

Taking Screenshots on a Mac:

1. Capture the Entire Screen:
   • Step 1: Press “Command” + “Shift” + “3” simultaneously.
   • Step 2: You will hear a camera shutter sound, and the screenshot will be saved to your desktop by default.
2. Capture a Selected Area:
   • Step 1: Press “Command” + “Shift” + “4” simultaneously.
   • Step 2: Drag to select the area you want to capture.
   • Step 3: Release the mouse button. The screenshot is saved to your desktop.
3. Capture a Specific Window:
   • Step 1: Press “Command” + “Shift” + “4.”
   • Step 2: Press the “Spacebar.”
   • Step 3: Click on the window you want to capture.
   • Step 4: The screenshot is saved to your desktop.
4. Capture the Touch Bar (if applicable):
   • Step 1: Press “Command” + “Shift” + “6.”
   • Step 2: The screenshot is saved to your desktop.

Once you’ve captured a screenshot, you might want to crop or edit it to focus on specific details.

Cropping Screenshots on a Mac:

1. Open the Screenshot:
   • Locate the screenshot on your desktop or in the designated save location.
2. Use Preview:
   • Step 1: Right-click on the screenshot file.
   • Step 2: Select “Open With” and choose “Preview.”
3. Select the Crop Tool:
   • Step 1: In Preview, click on the “Show Markup Toolbar” icon. It looks like a toolbox and is located at the top of the Preview window.
   • Step 2: Click on the “Rectangular Selection” tool in the toolbar.
4. Crop the Screenshot:
   • Step 1: Drag to select the area you want to keep in the screenshot.
   • Step 2: Navigate to the “Tools” menu and choose “Crop” or press “Command” + “K.”
   • Step 3: The screenshot is now cropped to the selected area.
5. Save the Cropped Screenshot:
   • Step 1: Click on “File” in the menu.
   • Step 2: Select “Export as PDF” or “Export” depending on your Preview version.
   • Step 3: Choose a location and click “Save.”

Alternative: Using the Markup Tools in Preview:

• Step 1: Open the screenshot in Preview.
• Step 2: Click on the “Show Markup Toolbar” icon.
• Step 3: Select the “Rectangle” tool for cropping.
• Step 4: Drag to create a rectangle around the area you want to keep.
• Step 5: Click on “Crop” in the toolbar.
• Step 6: Save the cropped image.

Conclusion:

Capturing and cropping screenshots on a Mac is a straightforward process that allows users to convey information effectively and create visually appealing content. Whether you’re capturing the entire screen or a specific area, mastering these techniques will enhance your ability to share information and create polished visuals seamlessly. Experiment with different capture methods and cropping tools to find the workflow that best suits your needs.