Keyboard Shortcut: Select Safari Address

So you want to copy the URL in Safari’s Address Bar and you reach for the mouse, or maybe use the Tab key to get there, right? There is an even faster way and this Mac keyboard shortcut works not only in Safari, but also Google Chrome, Firefox and Opera — don’t be a n00b, keep your hands where they belong and boost your efficiency!

This tip comes from the “I’ve been doing it wrong for years” department. Rather than using the mouse, trackpad or Tab key to move the cursor to your browser’s Address Bar, just press Command + L (Safari > File > Open Location), which automatically selects the current address in your browser window.

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Perhaps the reason I never used this Mac keyboard shortcut is because how of Apple labels it (Open Location) which doesn’t really describe what it does — move the cursor to the Address Bar and select the current address.

Of course, in Safari 6, part of the OS X Mountain Lion default install, the search and address bars are now unified, which makes this tip that much more useful.

Again, this keyboard shortcut works in Safari, Chrome, Firefox and Opera.