How to find any menu command on a Mac by typing its name

Shift Command slash opens a search box for every menu of the app you are in. How to use it, find shortcuts you forgot, and give a command its own key.

Guide · Updated 22 October 2026

How do I search an app's menus?

  1. Press ⇧ ⌘ /. The Help menu opens with a search field.
  2. Type part of the command's name, such as merge or zoom.
  3. Matching menu items are listed. Hover over one to see where it lives: its menu opens and an arrow points to it.
  4. Press Return, or click it, to run it.

The search covers every menu of the front app, including submenus.

How do I find a keyboard shortcut I forgot?

Search for the command the same way. The shortcut is printed beside it in the menu that opens.

Can I give a menu command its own shortcut?

Yes, if it has no shortcut or you want a different one. Open System Settings, Keyboard, Keyboard Shortcuts, App Shortcuts, click the add button, choose the app, type the menu command's exact name, and press the keys you want. See custom keyboard shortcuts.

Why does the search find nothing?

  • The command may have a different name. Try a shorter word.
  • Some apps draw their own menus instead of using the Mac's, and Help search cannot see them.
  • Commands in a right click menu are not in the menu bar, so they are not searched.

Why menus live at the top: the Mac menu bar. The modifier symbols you see beside commands: Mac keyboard symbols.

Checked on 22 October 2026 on a MacBook Air (M1) running macOS 27.0.1: Show Help menu and App Shortcuts were read from System Settings, Keyboard Shortcuts.

Questions

How do I search menus on a Mac?

Press Shift Command slash and type part of the command's name.

How do I find a keyboard shortcut on a Mac?

Search for the command in Help with Shift Command slash; the shortcut is shown beside it.

Can I add a shortcut to any menu item?

Yes, in System Settings, Keyboard, Keyboard Shortcuts, App Shortcuts.

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