The Mac Observer

Skip navigational links

Choose text size: Select small text. Select medium text. Select large text.

Featured Article: Podcast - Mac Geek Gab #152: Have I Been Hacked?

TMO Quick Tip - Disabling Spotlight's Keyboard Shortcut

by , 7:30 AM EDT, April 26th, 2006

Tiger's Spotlight search feature is great for locating documents even if you can't remember the file name. Spotlight isn't so great, however, if it keeps getting in your way. One problem that many Tiger users deal with is that Spotlight's Command-Space keyboard shortcut interferes with shortcuts in other applications. For example, in Adobe InDesign, Command-Space invokes the Zoom tool.

If you don't want to use a keyboard shortcut for Spotlight, it's easy to disable. Here's how:

  • Launch System Preferences by choosing Apple menu > System Preferences.
  • Click the Spotlight icon.
  • Click the Search Results tab.
  • Uncheck Spotlight menu keyboard shortcut.


Turn off Spotlight's keyboard shortcut to avoid conflicts in other applications.

You can also use the Spotlight menu keyboard shortcut pop-up menu to choose a function key that invokes Spotlight, but I found that it's more convenient to simply disable its keyboard shortcut than to work around the list of applications it conflicts with. You can still hunt for documents with Spotlight by clicking the blue search icon in the menuu bar.

if you have ideas for Mac related tips that you think other TMO readers might find helpful.

Observer Comments

Show: Subjects Only | Full Comments
Close Name:vasic Posts: 215 Joined: 09 Aug 2005
Wed Apr 26, 2006 9:54 am Subject: It was wrong combination from the start

The Command+Space combination to invoke spotlight was a bad choice to begin with. For as far as I can remember, this was the combination to cycle through the keyboard layouts. I have been using it throughout OS X, and, as far as I recall, it was there even in 9. Then, suddenly, Tiger rolls around and hijacks this combination for the all-new spotlight. Now, whenever I install Tiger on a Mac, I have to go into the preferences and re-map these shortcuts. What's even funnier is that, out of the box, Tiger comes pre-configured with this conflict! There is an exclamation point sign next to the keyboard layout cycling command! I am really struggling to believe that nobody in entire Apple Computer noticed this before shipping Tiger...


 Reply | Quote
View Name:Guest
Wed Apr 26, 2006 11:51 am Subject: Command + Space
View Name:Guest
Wed Apr 26, 2006 4:01 pm Subject: Well, Apple COMMANDs their own SPACE! n/t
View Name:Guest
Thu Apr 27, 2006 3:09 am Subject: legacy or utility ?
Comment on this Article

Show:   comments per page.   Save Settings
Guest Posts Hidden. View Them.
Back to top  Page 1 of 1    

You cannot edit your comments.   You cannot delete your comments.
Log in | Register | Having Problems? Reset TMO Cookies & Try Again
Username:   Password:   Log me on automatically each visit   

You are not logged in, and this post will appear as "Guest." Log in with your username and password from the TMO forums. If you do not have a username, you can register here.
Please note that guests are limited to including a maximum of two URLs per post.

Post A Comment
  Subject


  Your Comments



Please enter the word exactly as you see it in the image above. Registered users aren't prompted for this. Having trouble reading the image get a new one.

Recent Headlines - Updated Tuesday, May 13th, 2008

Tue., 5:00 PM
iPodObserver - CW: AT&T's 3G Network Leaves Verizon, Sprint in the Dust
4:00 PM
Montage 1.5 Gets New Styles System, Scene Navigation Enhancements
3:45 PM
RIM's Empire Strikes Back at Apple
3:00 PM
C|Net: Remote Possibilities for Apple
2:55 PM
Mac Gaming News - World of Warcraft Patched to 2.4.2 - Class Changes, Mac Fixes
2:20 PM
Apple Publishes Details on WWDC Keynote
1:40 PM
Office 2008 for Mac Sales Soaring
11:50 AM
Apple Gives Retail Store Site a New Look
11:10 AM
Mac Gaming News - Friction Games Ships Penumbra: Black Plague
10:40 AM
Hot Forum Topic - The Mighty-dirty Mouse
10:05 AM
Adobe Updates DNG Specification with Camera Profiles
9:35 AM
iPodObserver - HBO Joins iTunes with Two-tier Pricing
8:35 AM
Apple Rolls Out "New Get a Mac" Ads
8:10 AM
PageSender 4.3 Enhances Menu Options, More
7:40 AM
Podcast - Apple Weekly Report #125: iPhone Expansion, NBC and Zune, Apple's Eco-stance
3:10 AM
MS Office 2008 SP1 Improves Stability, Security, More
3:05 AM
Microsoft Says Visual Basic Returning to Office
 

The Mac Observer Reader Specials

Apple Stock Quote

  • AAPL: $189.96. Change Today: +1.80.
  • (Prices delayed up to 20 minutes.)
  • Discuss in our Apple Finance Board

Hot Topics

What's the buzz? These articles have TMO readers talking.

Apple iTunes

Top Deals From DealsOnTheWeb