mystery keystroke

Question

Level 1

110 points

mystery keystroke

Every once in a while I accidently do a keystroke that produces something I like, but I never know how I did it. It could happen to any file or I think even folder on my desk top. I'll hit a key combination by accident and a small picture of the file will open up. It's a like [command i] which I know opens up a small picture of the file and information on the files size, history, etc. But this other keystroke only opens a very nicely and minimal black window with a picture of the file. I think this feature started sometime during osX.

Thanks!

James

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Nov 6, 2012 12:04 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Best reply

varjak paw

Level 10

170,200 points

Nov 6, 2012 12:08 PM in response to James Thomson

I'm not clear on what it is you're referring to, but Command-I (Get Info) will give you information about the file, while Command-Y (Quick Look) will show you the contents of the file if OS X has a plugin for that type of file. Perhaps one of those is what you're referring to.

Regards.

Reply

Answer 2

Nov 6, 2012 12:20 PM in response to James Thomson

Here is a complete list http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1343

I tried some but not sure if got what you mean.

Reply

Answer 3

James Thomson Author

Level 1

110 points

Nov 6, 2012 12:38 PM in response to varjak paw

Yes, Command-Y (Quick Look) is precisely it. Thank you very much.

James

Reply

Answer 4

Nov 6, 2012 1:26 PM in response to James Thomson

An alternate shortcut for Quick Look is the Space Bar.

And Option-Space opens Quick Look in slide show mode (full screen). If more than one file is selected, they will play sequentially. This is epecially useful with picture files. ESC to exit, Space to pause. Play with arrow and other keys to see what they do.

Reply