Q&A for How to Take a Screenshot on a Mac

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How do I erase the screenshot?

Jack Herrick

Community Answer

The screenshot you created is an actual image file, sort of like you might take with a camera, so it needs to be deleted like any other file on your computer. To get rid of the screenshot image, drag the file (which is likely on your desktop) to the trash. Then, delete your trash.

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Question

How come I need to press 4 instead of 3?

Writing for Tech

Community Answer

The reason being is 3 will take a screenshot of your entire screen, whereas 4 will take a picture of only a selected portion.

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Question

How do I use screen capture with only one hand?

Community Answer

Press command + shift + 4 with one hand. Then you can select which portion of the page you want to capture with your cursor.

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Question

How do I screenshot a window that is longer than the screen and requires scrolling down?

Community Answer

Unfortunately, screenshots are designed to only capture what is currently on the screen. If it's something scalable (like a website), you can try zooming out and taking a picture of the whole screen. Otherwise, you will need to take multiple screenshots and edit them together.

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Question

Where do I determine which format (e.g., jpg, png, tiff) the screenshot will be stored in?

Community Answer

On Macs, screenshots are always stored in JPEG format. It is possible to change the screenshot's format after you take it.

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Question

How do I upload it into a forum discussion? It attaches fine to emails, but not to forums.

Community Answer

You will need to convert it into a URL picture. You can do this by uploading it to a picture-to-URL generator (just search for one on Google) such as imjur or postimage.

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Question

How do I put a screenshot on Word with iMac?

Writing for Tech

Community Answer

To add a screenshot into MS Word, all you have to do is drag it from your desktop and into the document.

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Question

How do I take a screen shot of an entire web page?

Margaret Althea Elvenshadow

Community Answer

Hold down Shift and Command, and press 3.

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Question

Is there a way to capture an entire window *including the portions not shown* (eg a browser window where part of the page is below the visible area)?

Community Answer

To take a screen shot of your entire screen hit 'command' 'shift' 3. To take a screen shot of a part of your screen hit 'command' 'shift' 4.

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Question

My images are no longer appearing on my desktop. What should I do?

Writing for Tech

Community Answer

Search for your screenshot in the Spotlight Search. If this doesn't work you might consider getting a computer checkup.

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Question

What if I don't have a Command key?

Community Answer

You may not be using a Mac, you might be using a Windows computer instead. These directions are only for MacBook, and iMac, and Mac computers.

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Question

Is there a way to do a time delayed screenshot so I can capture drop down menus?

Community Answer

Do this via Preview. File/Take Screenshot > from entire window. This will start a countdown. In that time, organise your windows the way you want them. This is not much different from organising your windows, then using the recommended CMD-SHIFT-3 but it does help with drop-down menus.

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Question

I don't have the command button.

Community Answer

You can use a third-party program such as Lightshot if you don't have working keys.

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Question

How do I exit screenshot mode?

Community Answer

You can't at the moment. You'd have to take a screenshot, locate it, and delete it.

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