Section 1.1: Moving Files Between Drives

You might be aware that dragging files within local folders results in moving them. However, the situation changes when transferring files from a local folder to an external drive, as it defaults to copying them. To effectively move the file without creating a duplicate, hold down the ⌘ key while dragging. Alternatively, you can copy the file using ⌘+C and then paste it at the desired location with ⌘+⌥+V.

Bonus tip: If you want to copy a file while moving it, hold the ⌥ key while dragging.

Section 1.2: Quick Access to Important Files

If you have a folder, such as “Project,” filled with important documents buried deep within Finder, here’s a solution. Drag the folder beyond the last vertical line on the dock, right next to your applications. This action creates an alias, making it incredibly convenient to access your critical files quickly.

Bonus tip: Right-click the alias to customize how files are sorted without affecting the original folder.

Section 1.3: Efficiently Closing Safari Tabs

Having multiple tabs open in Safari can be overwhelming, especially if you’re staring at a large number. Instead of quitting Safari and restarting, right-click on the address bar of the tab and select ‘Close Tabs to the Right’ to quickly manage your open tabs.

Bonus tip: To close all tabs except the one you want to keep open, simply hold ⌘ and click the close button (X) on that tab.

Section 1.4: Pasting Text Without Formatting

When copying text from sources like Wikipedia, unwanted formatting often tags along. Normal users might manually adjust the formatting, while savvy users paste it using the shortcut ⌘+⇧+V to remove any formatting automatically.

Section 1.5: Taking Clean Screenshots

While macOS adds aesthetic appeal with shadows in window captures, sometimes you may want to eliminate these shadows for a cleaner look. Use the shortcut ⌘+⇧+5, select ‘Capture Selected Window,’ hover over the desired window, hold ⌘, and click to take a shadow-free screenshot.

Section 1.6: Converting Image Formats

You can easily convert images to different formats using macOS. Simply right-click on the image in Finder, navigate to Quick Actions, and select ‘Convert Image.’ You can choose your desired format and size, and even remove backgrounds with this feature introduced in macOS 13 Ventura.

Section 1.7: Utilizing Picture-in-Picture Mode

For a seamless video experience while using Safari, you can enable Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode. Click the tiny blue speaker icon in the address bar, right-click it, and select 'Enter Picture in Picture.' This allows you to watch videos while multitasking across macOS.