You’ve landed here because the Option key is mentioned in the tutorial you’re following. You check your keyboard and notice that it’s missing the Option key.
The Option key’s location on a Mac keyboard, the location of the Option key on a PC keyboard, and what the Option key does have been addressed in this article.
What Is the Option Key on a Mac Keyboard?
On a Mac keyboard, the Option key (⌥) is a modifier key that provides access to various special characters and keyboard shortcuts. It is often used in combination with other keys to perform specific tasks, such as typing accents, entering special symbols, or executing keyboard shortcuts.
What, There’s No Key For Selecting “Options”?
There are a few possible explanations for why your keyboard lacks an Option key:
The Option key may be replaced with the Alt key on some Apple keyboards. Simply said, the Alt key functions similarly to the Option key. To the same end, it can be said.
You could also be using a PC keyboard with your Mac, which does not have an Option key. Below, we’ll explain where to find the Option key, when to use it, and what it does.
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I Need To Know The Mac Equivalent of The “Alt” key.
The Option key on a Mac seems to be a mystery to many people, especially those from the United Kingdom. It’s understandable that some people who are just getting started with Apple computers would be confused.
You won’t find a “Option” key on the keyboard of any Apple Macintosh computer sold in the UK between 2006 and 2017. However, the Mac’s Option key is missing.
If you’re wondering where the Option key is, the solution is straightforward. The Option key, also known as the Alternate key, is typically labelled as Alt and the symbol on a Mac keyboard.
The Option/Alt key is located between the Command and Ctrl keys on the left side of the bottom row of Apple keyboards (however some newer Macs with larger keyboards also have a separate Option/Alt key on the right side of the keyboard).
Where is the Windows Equivalent of the Option Key?
The Option key is absent from both Windows and Mac keyboard layouts. Using a Windows keyboard with a Mac is doable; as you may guess from the above, the Alt key should be used in place of the Option key.
If you’ve ever used a Windows computer, you’ll know that the Alt key is the one to the left of the Spacebar. If you plug a keyboard designed for a Windows or IBM PC computer into a Mac, the Alt key will function the same as the Option key.
On a Mac, you’ll also need the Command key, which isn’t present on a standard PC keyboard. That topic is covered elsewhere.
What is The Function of The Option Key?
On a Mac, the Option key performs several crucial functions; in fact, the Option or Alt key has much greater significance than the Alt key on a PC.
When using a Mac, one of the most typical applications for the Option (or Alt) key is entering symbols and accent marks like ö, ß, ü, and é. Separate guides are provided for typing special characters such, €, #, @, and on a Mac.
In addition, there are many helpful keyboard shortcuts that make use of the Option/Alt combination. If you press Command plus Option or Alt plus Shift plus S, for instance, you’ll get the Save As menu item rather than the default Save.
If you want to access Internet Recovery mode on your Mac, you can do so by pressing Option/Alt + Command + R.
When booting up a Mac with a second volume, or when running macOS from an external drive, the Option/Alt key combination is used to navigate to the secondary volume.
Exactly Why is The Option Key Missing?
We don’t know why Apple opted to replace the Option legend with just the word “Alt” and the symbol in some regions.
As far as we can tell, Apple stopped using the Option naming scheme on non-US Mac keyboards around the time the company switched from Motorola/IBM to Intel for its computers’ processors.
In other words, after moving on from G3, G4, and G5 to Intel’s Core 2 Duo and Core i3/i5, and i7 processors.
Option Key on a Windows Keyboard
Windows keyboards, by default, lack an Option key with the same label as on Mac keyboards. Instead, they have an “Alt” (Alternate) key, which serves a similar purpose to the Option key on a Mac.
Functionality of the Alt Key on a Windows Keyboard
While the Alt key on a Windows keyboard doesn’t have the same label as the Option key on a Mac, it can be used for similar functions:
- Accessing Special Characters:
- On a Windows keyboard, you can use the Alt key in combination with numeric codes to input special characters. For example, Alt + 0169 produces the copyright symbol (©).
- Keyboard Shortcuts:
- The Alt key is often used as a modifier key in keyboard shortcuts on Windows. For instance, Alt + Tab allows you to switch between open applications.
- Context Menus:
- Pressing the Alt key in combination with other keys can activate context menus and provide keyboard shortcuts within various applications.
Using a Windows Keyboard on a Mac with the Option Key
If you’re using a Windows keyboard on a Mac, you can still access the functions associated with the Option key by remapping the keys or using keyboard shortcuts.
- Key Remapping:
- macOS allows you to remap keys using the Keyboard preferences. You can assign specific functions to keys on your Windows keyboard to mimic the behavior of the Option key. For example, you can remap the “Alt” key to act as the “Option” key.
- Keyboard Shortcuts:
- Many macOS keyboard shortcuts that involve the Option key can also be executed by substituting the Alt key. Experiment with different key combinations to find the equivalent shortcuts.
Is the Alt Key the Command Key on Windows Keyboards?
No, the Alt key on a Windows keyboard is not the same as the Command key on a Mac keyboard. The Command key (⌘) on a Mac serves a different purpose and is typically used for macOS-specific functions.
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In conclusion
While the Option key on a Mac keyboard and the Alt key on a Windows keyboard may not have the same label, they share similar functionalities for accessing special characters, executing keyboard shortcuts, and navigating context menus.
When using a Windows keyboard on a Mac, consider remapping keys or using alternate keyboard shortcuts to achieve the desired Mac-like functionality associated with the Option key.
