Switch to Other Applications Fast with Command-Tab

If you are composing an email message and need to switch to another application to grab a piece of information, you don't have to reach for your mouse to do it.

Instead, press Command-Tab. A bar showing icons of the currently open applications is displayed. Continue holding down the Command key and type tab again (and again) to select the application you wish to switch to. Let go of the Command key and the selected application, along with all its windows, will be brought to the front.

By itself, this keyboard shortcut is quite useful. But wait, there's more.

While the application icon bar is displayed and you continue to hold down the Command key, type these keys to perform other useful operations:

• Tab (or the Right Arrow Key) – select the next application in the icon bar
• Left Arrow Key – select the previous application icon
• 'H' – Hide the selected application
• 'Q' – quit the selected application

There you go - quick ways to switch to and manage running applications in Mac OS X! All without having to move your hands from the keyboard.