Mac OS - Taking a screenshot of a problem

Mac OS - Taking a screenshot of a problem

Problem

A Mac user who is experiencing a technical problem with their Mac may wish to provide a screen shot to help to illustrate the problem encountered.


Applies to

  1. Mac OS

Resolution

Use one of the methods below to provide a screenshot.

Method 1 - Take a screen shot of the whole screen

Press SHIFT+COMMAND+3 on the keyboard as per illustration below.



Method 2 - To take a screenshot only showing a portion of the screen

  1. Press SHIFT+COMMAND+4 as shown below.
  2. Then click and drag the drag the crosshair to draw the area you wish to take a picture of.
  3. Release the mouse trackpad to take the screenshot.


Method 3 - Capture a window or menu

  1. Make sure you have the menu or window open that you wish to screenshot.
  2. Press SHIFT+COMMAND+4 and then press the spacebar.
  3. When the pointer changes to a camera icon click the window or menu to capture it.


Where to find taken screenshots

  1. Screenshot files are normally saved to your desktop as a file named “screen shot…” and have the date and time appended to the filename.  To include in an email please drag any of these into an email when communicating with support to illustrate the problem.
  2. If you do not see your screen shots on the desktop press SHIFT+COMMAND+5 on the keyboard to open the Screenshot app, click “options” and in the menu see which folder shows a tick next to it to identify the folder the screen shot file has been saved in. You have the option of saving screen shots in another location by clicking “Other Location” in the menu.

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