How to take a screenshot on your Mac computer

If you're a new Mac owner, or you've owned a Mac for a while and never figured out how to screenshot, it's worthwhile to take a moment and learn.The screenshot bandwagon is really worth hopping on, mainly because it's a great way to keep records. Whenever I buy tickets for a show, schedule a bill payment, or make an appointment anywhere, I screenshot the confirmation. 

Taking a screenshot on a Mac is also a pretty good way to save pictures if you'd rather not take the time to download them.

1. Press Command + Shift + 4 on your keyboard. And yes, you have to press them all at the same time.

2. Click and drag your mouse cursor — which will have now become a target icon — over the area you want to screenshot.

3. When you have the right selection lined up, release your mouse. Your Mac will make a snapshot sound, and a preview of your picture will appear in the lower-right corner. After a moment, it'll disappear, and your picture will be saved to the desktop.

It will be labeled with the words "Screen Shot" followed by the date and time of your screenshot, down to the second.

4. If you're in the middle of step two and decide you're dissatisfied with your crop, or for any other reason, you can stop screenshotting by pressing the Escape key on your keyboard. No picture will be saved.