Along with the very first iPad Pro model and for all subsequent ones, Apple has decided to market some optional accessories to buy if you want to increase the productivity of this device. We are obviously talking about Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard, not exactly cheap but able to improve the working and creative use experience. The keyboard is also capable of bringing the world of tablets closer to that of computers, especially with regard to quick shortcuts anchored to specific combinations of keys clicked simultaneously. In this guide we will then go to see the most useful and derived from the Mac counterpart.
The keyboard shortcuts to be used on iPad Pro
Before starting with the list we would like to clarify that most of the commands present will be usable only in a text field, obviously a place where the keyboard gives its best. All will be usable using the “cmd” button on the bottom left.
- cmd-H: return to the Home screen (the one with all the apps)
- cmd-tab: browse the apps open in the background
- cmd-spacebar: access Spotlight
- cmd-option-D: show the dock on any screen
- cmd-option-C: copy a writing style
- cmd-F: find a specific word or phrase in a document (open document)
These are obviously only some and probably the most used by iPad Pro owners, besides the classic copy (cmd-C), paste (cmd-V), bold (cmd-B), italic (cmd-I) and many others. Unfortunately there is no shortcut that can change the volume or take screenshots, operations that must therefore be performed using the physical buttons on the device. To move to a text field more quickly, you will not need to do anything but hold two fingers on the display and start moving as if you were holding a trackpad (touch with two fingers without holding to select a word)
A suggestion that we add is that related to the modification of the first character of a text field. On iPad, in fact, there is apparently no way to prevent the first letter of a text’s initial sentence from being capitalized, and this is particularly annoying when it comes to entering email addresses. To start with a lowercase letter, the only thing to do is to click once on the “shift” key (without holding down) and proceed with entering the word.
Recall that each screen will present different commands to be exploited, obviously based on the app used. To find out how you can actually interact, you will need to hold down the “cmd” button for a few moments and wait for the pop-up dedicated to the information to arrive.