Notes keyboard shortcuts for Mac
Capture ideas, search notes and turn text into headings, checklists and linked references.
Documentation reviewed 2026-11-05 · 6 task guides · Mac bindings and focus notes
What do you want to do?
Create, duplicate and organize notes on Mac
Use Command-N for a new note, Command-D to duplicate the selected note, and Shift-Command-N for a folder. Fn-Q creates a Quick Note.
Steps, keys and context ↗Build a Notes checklist with subitems and line breaks
Use Shift-Command-L for a checklist. Command-] increases a list level, Command-[ decreases it, and Shift-Return adds a line break within an item.
Steps, keys and context ↗Format Notes with titles, headings and body text
In Notes, Shift-Command-T applies Title, Shift-Command-H applies Heading, and Shift-Command-B applies Body. These paragraph formats differ from ordinary bold text.
Steps, keys and context ↗Navigate linked notes and return to the Notes list
Notes uses Option-Command-] to go forward to a linked note and Option-Command-[ to return. Command-Return moves from editing back to the notes list.
Steps, keys and context ↗Search all Notes or find text inside one note
Option-Command-F searches across notes. Command-F searches inside the current note. Choose the search scope before deciding that a result is missing.
Steps, keys and context ↗Add tables, files and web links to a Mac note
Option-Command-T inserts a Notes table, Shift-Command-A attaches a file, and Command-K creates a webpage link. Pick the tool that matches the information.
Steps, keys and context ↗
Quick reference
Selected bindings from the linked task guides. Check the context before pressing a key: the focused control, app version and your custom settings can change what it does. This is a documentation reference, not an exhaustive live menu reading.
| Action | Keys | Context |
|---|---|---|
| New note | Command-N | Creates a note; choose the intended destination in Notes before starting. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Checklist formatting | Shift-Command-L | Applies checklist formatting in the current note. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Title paragraph | Shift-Command-T | Use for the current paragraph’s title role. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Forward to linked note | Option-Command-] | Use Notes linked-note navigation, not list indentation inside the editor. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Search across notes | Option-Command-F | Use when you need to identify a note rather than a location inside its text. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Insert table | Option-Command-T | Use at the intended location for a small structured comparison. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Duplicate selected note | Command-D | Use when a selected note is the starting template, not when you need an unrelated blank note. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Numbered list formatting | Shift-Command-9 | Choose when order is the meaningful part of the list. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Heading paragraph | Shift-Command-H | Use for a major section label in the note. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Back from linked note | Option-Command-[ | Returns toward the note containing the link. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Find in current note | Command-F | Searches the note you have opened; it does not replace an all-notes search. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Attach file | Shift-Command-A | Opens file attachment selection; confirm the chosen file before adding it. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| New folder | Shift-Command-N | Creates a container for notes rather than another note. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Increase list level | Command-] | Nests the current list item; Tab is another documented list-context option. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Subheading paragraph | Shift-Command-J | Use for a level below a heading when that extra structure is useful. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Edit selected note | Return | From the notes list or gallery; Apple documents the insertion point appearing at the note’s end. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Create webpage link | Command-K | Use with the relevant text or insertion point; verify the link target after entry. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Quick Note | Fn-Q | Opens quick capture; this is distinct from creating a normal note in the current Notes workflow. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
When a shortcut behaves differently
- Confirm you are using the Mac binding, and check whether the guide describes a desktop app or its web version.
- Put focus in the control named in the guide. Editing text, selecting an object and navigating a sidebar can use different keys.
- Look up the command in the app's menu or shortcut settings. Customized keys and non-US keyboard layouts can differ from documented defaults.
The cited documentation was checked for these guides; a documentation review is separate from testing your particular running app. How we verify and update guides →
Official sources
- Keyboard shortcuts and gestures in Notes on Mac — Apple Support — checked 2026-11-04
- Search your notes on Mac — Apple Support — checked 2026-11-04