By pressing certain key combinations, you can do things that normally need a mouse, trackpad or other input device. To use a keyboard shortcut, press and hold one or more modifier keys and then press the last key of the shortcut. Take me to apple. For example, to use Command-C (copy), press and hold the Command key, then the C key, then release both keys. Apple Macbook Air Keyboard Key 13' Mid 2012 - 2016 If you are missing a key or have worn out keys on your 13' MacBook Air the best solution is to replace individual keys as Apple decided to spot weld the keyboard into the Palmrest.
Hi chennings,Thanks for coming to the Apple Support Communities for help with your shift keys not working on your keyboard. I'm happy to provide some help for this issue.
If your Apple keyboard doesn't work - Apple Support
Other keys
You might have set an option that changes how your keyboard operates. Choose Apple () menu > System Preferences, and then try these tips:
- In the Accessibility pane, click Speech in the left side. If 'Speak selected text when the key is pressed' is selected, deselect it or click Change Key to select another key.
- In the Accessibility pane, click Keyboard. Make sure Enable Slow Keys is turned off. If it's on, you have to hold down a key longer than usual before it's recognized.
- In the Accessibility pane, click Mouse & Trackpad. Make sure Enable Mouse Keys is off. If it's on, pressing keys in the numeric keypad moves the pointer instead of entering numbers.
- In the Keyboard pane, click Input Sources. Make sure that the correct keyboard layout is selected.
You can also see your keyboard's current layout on your Mac's display to make sure that you're using the correct layout:
- In System Preferences, click Keyboard, then select 'Show keyboard and emoji viewers in menu bar.'
- Choose the keyboard icon in your menu bar, then choose Show Keyboard Viewer. You'll see a graphical representation of your keyboard that highlights the corresponding keys you press on your keyboard.
Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities. Cheers!
Jan 4, 2018 6:59 AM
Alt key on Mac is indeed exist. And it's called Option key.
Windows vs Mac—there are so many differences. A lot of our customers have used a PC before and then decide they want to switch to Mac for better performance, nicer design, or for better security. However, they were afraid they would have a hard time getting used to the macOS keyboard. We hear questions like, 'How can I close a Window? The Mac keyboard doesn't have the Alt + F4 shortcut.' We always give them two answers:
1. With Parallels Desktop for Mac you have the choice to use the same keyboard shortcuts you had on your PC.
2. If you want to use the Mac keyboard you will experience that the alt key is very different, as we explain in this blog post.
Where is the Alt key on a Mac keyboard?
The PC-keyboard equivalent of Alt on a Mac is called the Option key, and you'll find the Option Key on your Mac if you go two keys to the left of the spacebar. However, the option key on a Mac keyboard is used in a different way than the alt key on a Windows PC. In terms of functionality, the alt key in Windows is often more comparable with the Command key than with the Option key on a Mac. You might be also familiar with the Ctrl and Alt keys from your PC. On your Mac keyboard, you have Command (⌘ cmd), Control (ctrl), and Option (⌥ alt) keys.
How do Windows shortcuts change on a Mac?
Check out some equivalents of popular Windows alt shortcuts on a Mac, which might be especially helpful for those users who are new to Mac:
Shift Key Stuck Macbook Air
| Windows | Mac | |
| Closing a window | Alt-F4 | Command-W |
| Restarting | Control-Alt-Delete | Control-Command-Eject |
| Shutting down | Control-Alt-Delete | Control-Option-Command-Eject |
| Logging out | Control-Alt-Delete | Shift-Command-Q |
| Switch between open apps | Alt + Tab | Command-tab |
| Go back | Alt + Left arrow | Command + Left arrow |
| Go forward | Alt + Right arrow | Command + Right arrow |
| Move up one screen | Alt + Page Up | Command + Page Up |
| Move down one screen | Alt + Page Down | Command + Page Down |
When running Windows on a Mac with Parallels Desktop, is it possible to use Windows shortcuts on a Mac?
More Shift Macbook Air Videos
If you run Windows on your Mac with Parallels Desktop for Mac, you can configure your keyboard shortcuts the way you want to work, with either macOS or Windows shortcuts. Click here for more information on how to set the different shortcuts.
You can find even more useful Mac shortcuts in the infographic here. Apple numbers for dummies.
Apple magic keyboard and mouse. Missing your Start Menu and familiar Windows look and feel? You can use Parallels Desktop and have Windows 10 along with your favorite Windows apps on your new Mac.
