Wednesday, February 15, 2017

What Does the "Print Screen" Button Do ?

Q: I push ‘PrintScreen’ (or PrtScn) and nothing happens.
I have to teach this as a full-blown lesson in my classes because it is so counter-intuitive.
  • When you push PrintScreen, it saves a copy of your screen to the clipboard. Now, you must tell the computer where to put it.
  • For example, open MS Word and a new document. Paste (using Ctrl+V or right click+paste or the icon on the toolbar–or Edit-paste) and a copy of your screen will appear as a picture.
It can be pasted into docs, emails, cards, wherever you’d like.  Just don’t forget to paste it!
If you’re looking for more than a snapshot of your entire screen, that’s called a ‘screenshot’. Most (well, actually, all I know of) digital devices have a method of accomplishing that without extra software, add-ons, or tools:
  • Windows devices (laptops, desktops that run Windows): it’s a tool included in Windows called the Snipping Tool. Once you activate this tool, you can take a full or partial snapshot of your screen with some annotations
  • Mac: Command Shift 3 for a full screenshot; Command Shift 4 for a partial screenshot
  • Surface tablet: hold down volume and Windows button
  • iPad: hold Home button and power button at same time; this saves a snapshot of your screen to your camera roll
  • Online: use a screenshot tool like Jing (software download), Nimbus (online websites only), or Snagit (software or an extension)
Question? Leave a comment here and I’ll answer it .

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