How to Take and Crop Screenshots on Mac ?

Capturing and editing screenshots on a Mac is straightforward, thanks to the intuitive tools and features macOS offers. Whether you're a new user or looking to enhance your workflow, this guide will walk you through the steps to take and crop screenshots efficiently.

Capturing Screenshots on Mac

Mac provides simple keyboard shortcuts to capture screenshots efficiently:

  • Full Screen: Press Shift + Command (⌘) + 3 to capture the entire screen. The screenshot saves automatically to your desktop.

  • Selected Portion: Press Shift + Command (⌘) + 4. Your cursor will change to a crosshair. Click and drag to select the desired area. Release the mouse button to capture the screenshot.

  • Specific Window: Press Shift + Command (⌘) + 4, then press the Spacebar. The cursor turns into a camera icon. Hover over the window you want to capture and click to take the screenshot.

Utilizing the Screenshot Tool

For more control, macOS offers a built-in Screenshot tool:

  1. You will Press Shift + Command (⌘) + 5 to open the Screenshot toolbar.

  2. Choose from options like capturing the entire screen, a selected window, or a portion of the screen.

  3. You will click "Options" to set where to save the file, set a timer, or include the mouse pointer.

  4. Once configured, you click "Capture" to take the screenshot.

Cropping Screenshots on Mac

Cropping with Preview App

  1. Locate your screenshot on the desktop and double-click to open it in Preview.

  2. Click the "Show Markup Toolbar" button (a pencil icon) to display editing tools.

  3. Click and drag to select the area you want to keep.

  4. Go to the "Tools" menu and select "Crop." Alternatively, press Command (⌘) + K to crop the image.

  5. Save the edited screenshot by clicking "File" > "Save."

Cropping with Photos App

If you prefer using the Photos app:

  1. Open the Photos app and import your screenshot by dragging it into the library or using the "File" > "Import" option.

  2. Double-click the screenshot to open it.

  3. Click "Edit" in the upper-right corner.

  4. Select the "Crop" tool.

  5. Adjust the cropping frame to your desired area.

  6. Click "Done" to save the changes.

Advanced Screenshot Editing Tools

For enhanced editing capabilities, consider third-party applications:

  • Snagit: Offers advanced features like panoramic capture and detailed editing tools.

  • Lightshot: A free tool that allows quick editing and sharing of screenshots.

  • Monosnap: Provides robust annotation tools and cloud storage integration.

These applications offer additional functionalities beyond the built-in Mac tools, catering to users with specific needs.

Tips and Tricks for Efficient Screenshot Management

Organize Your Screenshots

Create a dedicated folder to store your screenshots. You can set the default save location in the Screenshot tool by clicking "Options" and selecting your preferred folder.

Use Descriptive File Names

Rename your screenshots immediately after capturing them to make them easier to locate later.

Leverage Keyboard Shortcuts

Familiarize yourself with the keyboard shortcuts for capturing screenshots to streamline your workflow.

Conclusion

Taking and cropping screenshots on a Mac is a simple process, thanks to the built-in tools like Preview and Photos app. For users seeking more advanced features, third-party applications are available. By utilizing these methods and tips, you can efficiently capture and edit screenshots to meet your needs.