Most Mac users still use the Dock at least some of the time, so
here are a few tips that may help you get even more out of using it.
Add
an AirDrop icon to your Dock
AirDrop is a painless way to share files between Apple devices
so long as they are on the same network.
However, sharing files using AirDrop from a Mac becomes much
easier with this tip: Add an AirDrop icon to your Dock:
A Finder window will appear in which you’ll find several
applications, including one for AirDrop. Drag it to your Dock, and an icon will
be placed there. In the future, when you want to share an item using AirDrop just
tap its icon in the Dock to open its interface.
Add an iCloud icon to your
Dock
I like to maximize the number of ways I can get around my Mac,
so I have one iCloud Drive icon in my Finder and another in my Dock.
This makes it very easy for me to reach items in my drive
through one of those shortcuts or by using Command-Spaceand typing a file name. I do this by dragging
the iCloud Drive application item to my Dock. You find this in the same folder
as the AirDrop application:
A Finder window will appear in which you’ll find several
applications, including one for iCloud Drive, which you should place in your
Dock.
Add an Applications icon
to your Dock
There are lots of alternatives to get to applications on your
Mac. Most Mac users employ Launchpad to open them.
Many use Applications in Finder, some ask Siri to open apps,
perhaps they tap Command-Space, type the application name and hit Return to launch.
I have another way, one I think ex-Windows users may like
because it works a little like the App Switcher on the other PC platform.
In the future, when you select this item in your Dock you will
be able to quickly open any application you have installed on your Mac from
here, as well as from Launchpad.
Add (almost) anything to
your Dock
There’s a keyboard command that lets you add items to your Dock.
To use it, select an item you want added to your Dock in Finder and then tap: Control+Shift+Command+T
The item will now be available in your Dock – documents will be
found at the right-hand side of the Dock, while applications will array
themselves to the left-hand side.
8 essential Dock
navigation keyboard shortcuts
There’s nothing wrong with using your cursor/mouse to get almost
everything done that you need to get done on your Mac, but you can minimize arm
strain and improve your focus if you try to use keyboard commands wherever
possible. These eight commands will soon have you navigating your Dock like a pro.
Control-Function-F3: This command is an essential first step. Not
only does it invoke the Dock, but it does so with keyboard navigation enabled,
which you’ll need for the rest of these tips. The following keyboard tips will
not work unless you’ve first enabled keyboard navigation using Control-Function-F3.
Now you’ve opened the Dock in keyboard navigation mode, Left and Right arrow keys will let you move within the
Dock items.
When you find an item you want to use, just tap the Up arrow to open the Dock items menu.
Navigate the options there using the arrow button, tap Return to activate an option, and tap down to
exit that menu and continue travelling through your Dock.
To launch an application from your Dock in keyboard navigation
mode, select it and tap Return.
You can also jump to apps by the first letter of their name in
your Dock while using its keyboard navigation mode.
You can Force Quit applications from the Dock in this mode –
navigate to the appropriate icon and then tap the Up arrow while holding
the Option Key to find Force Quit.
Want to see the Dock item in the Finder? Tap Command-Return and you’ll be taken to that item’s
enclosing folder.
Tap Control-Function-F3 to access keyboard navigation, select an application icon
using the arrow keys in your Dock, and then tap Command-Option-Return to hide all the other active application
windows so you can focus on your selected application.
Want more? Here’s another useful Dock tip to add the power of
Smart folders to your Dock set-up.
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