Thursday, March 29, 2007

Using [Alt]-[Prnt Scrn]

Using [Alt]+[Prnt Scrn] to capture or copy & paste an active window instead of the whole screen

In case anyone has not yet learnt this nifty little trick within MS Windows..

I find it very useful in the documentation I create, or for adding images to things like emails, etc. It makes referring to things so much easier when a picture of only the most relevant window is what is needed. A picture of the whole desktop can distract from what you are specifically trying to point out.. or for various other reasons.

Normally to capture a copy of your whole desktop screen, press the [Prnt Scrn] button and then in whatever application you want to paste that image, like MS Word for instance, simply use:

Edit -> Paste

or use the short-cut key sequence on your keyboard:

[Ctrl]+[V]

So now all you do to capture only the currently highlighted / active window (instead of the whole desktop) is:

[Alt]+[Prnt Scrn]

and in the target word / email / whatever app:

Edit -> Paste

or use the short-cut key sequence on your keyboard:

[Ctrl]+[V]

Voila.

1 comment:

  1. Anonymous5:09 PM

    For anyone that likes keyboard shortcuts checkout:
    http://kingthorin.blogspot.com/2006/09/keyboard-shortcuts-part-i.html

    http://kingthorin.blogspot.com/2006/11/keyboard-shortcuts-part-ii.html

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