Dear Reader,
This post was updated in 2013 with a fancy screencast. You should go there now.
————————————————
Here is one thing that has been driving me crazy for some time. I constantly find myself saving from Safari to PDF. Whether it is a utility bill or legal research, I have a fetish for saving PDF copies. The problem is that in order to do so you must click print, then the PDF button, then the “Save as PDF” button. Each step requires me to get the mouse in the right place and read the menu. Granted this is probably less than 10 seconds but I do it a lot and it makes me just a little bit nuts.
So I’ve been thinking about this and wondering if there is an Automator action or perhaps an Applescript that can simplify this. Well tonight I stumbled upon
an excellent hint at MacOSXHints
that address this very problem very easily through with a keyboard shorcut.
Here is the walkthrough.
Open your Keyboard Shortcuts tab in the Keyboard & Mouse system preference pane.
Click the “+” sign to add a new shortcut for all applications.
Then a box pops up asking for the command.
Type in the Command exactly as it appears: “Save as PDF…” For the ellipses, use the combination: option + semicolon. Don’t ask me why because I have no clue. Just do it.
For the keyboard shortcut use: command + P (I know this sounds like a conflict with the print shortcut, but trust me)
Now you are done.
Now go to your favorite webpage and hold down the command key and press “P” twice.
Bingo. “Save as PDF…” lickity split.
this is the most useful thing i have read in the last few months. customizing those keyboard shortcuts is way overlooked!
great tip
this is the most useful thing i have read in the last few months. customizing those keyboard shortcuts is way overlooked!
great tip
this is the most useful thing i have read in the last few months. customizing those keyboard shortcuts is way overlooked!
great tip
this is the most useful thing i have read in the last few months. customizing those keyboard shortcuts is way overlooked!
great tip
this is the most useful thing i have read in the last few months. customizing those keyboard shortcuts is way overlooked!
great tip
Great tip. Another good one that I think I picked up at MacOSXHints (I think in a comment to a tip) is a way to add a button to the browser bookmark bar that, when clicked, automatically opens an email with a link to the page you are viewing so you can send it to someone. You do it by creating a bookmark with the following address
javascript:location.href=’mailto:?SUBJECT=’+document.title+’&BODY=’+escape(location.href)
and then naming it something like “sendlink” and then putting the bookmark in the bookmark bar.
Great tip. Another good one that I think I picked up at MacOSXHints (I think in a comment to a tip) is a way to add a button to the browser bookmark bar that, when clicked, automatically opens an email with a link to the page you are viewing so you can send it to someone. You do it by creating a bookmark with the following address
javascript:location.href=’mailto:?SUBJECT=’+document.title+’&BODY=’+escape(location.href)
and then naming it something like “sendlink” and then putting the bookmark in the bookmark bar.
Great tip. Another good one that I think I picked up at MacOSXHints (I think in a comment to a tip) is a way to add a button to the browser bookmark bar that, when clicked, automatically opens an email with a link to the page you are viewing so you can send it to someone. You do it by creating a bookmark with the following address
javascript:location.href=’mailto:?SUBJECT=’+document.title+’&BODY=’+escape(location.href)
and then naming it something like “sendlink” and then putting the bookmark in the bookmark bar.
Great tip. Another good one that I think I picked up at MacOSXHints (I think in a comment to a tip) is a way to add a button to the browser bookmark bar that, when clicked, automatically opens an email with a link to the page you are viewing so you can send it to someone. You do it by creating a bookmark with the following address
javascript:location.href=’mailto:?SUBJECT=’+document.title+’&BODY=’+escape(location.href)
and then naming it something like “sendlink” and then putting the bookmark in the bookmark bar.
Great tip. Another good one that I think I picked up at MacOSXHints (I think in a comment to a tip) is a way to add a button to the browser bookmark bar that, when clicked, automatically opens an email with a link to the page you are viewing so you can send it to someone. You do it by creating a bookmark with the following address
javascript:location.href=’mailto:?SUBJECT=’+document.title+’&BODY=’+escape(location.href)
and then naming it something like “sendlink” and then putting the bookmark in the bookmark bar.
Excellent!
Regarding Anthony’s comment: Omniweb has that feature built in to it.
Excellent!
Regarding Anthony’s comment: Omniweb has that feature built in to it.
Excellent!
Regarding Anthony’s comment: Omniweb has that feature built in to it.
Excellent!
Regarding Anthony’s comment: Omniweb has that feature built in to it.
Excellent!
Regarding Anthony’s comment: Omniweb has that feature built in to it.
OmniWeb is one of those applications I’ve been meaning to kick the tires on, but never quite got around to it.
OmniWeb is one of those applications I’ve been meaning to kick the tires on, but never quite got around to it.
OmniWeb is one of those applications I’ve been meaning to kick the tires on, but never quite got around to it.
OmniWeb is one of those applications I’ve been meaning to kick the tires on, but never quite got around to it.
OmniWeb is one of those applications I’ve been meaning to kick the tires on, but never quite got around to it.
I managed to get it down to one keystroke (āā„P) with an AppleScript but āP twice sounds easy enough š
I managed to get it down to one keystroke (āā„P) with an AppleScript but āP twice sounds easy enough š
I managed to get it down to one keystroke (āā„P) with an AppleScript but āP twice sounds easy enough š
I managed to get it down to one keystroke (āā„P) with an AppleScript but āP twice sounds easy enough š
I managed to get it down to one keystroke (āā„P) with an AppleScript but āP twice sounds easy enough š
Finally added this one, David. Nice!
Finally added this one, David. Nice!
Finally added this one, David. Nice!
Finally added this one, David. Nice!
Finally added this one, David. Nice!
Thanks, David. This is just so useful!
Thanks, David. This is just so useful!
Thanks, David. This is just so useful!
Thanks, David. This is just so useful!
Thanks, David. This is just so useful!
Yahoo!!
I’ve have been looking for something like this forever!!
Thanks!
Yahoo!!
I’ve have been looking for something like this forever!!
Thanks!
Yahoo!!
I’ve have been looking for something like this forever!!
Thanks!
Yahoo!!
I’ve have been looking for something like this forever!!
Thanks!
Yahoo!!
I’ve have been looking for something like this forever!!
Thanks!
Great tip, thanks. Can this be modified to save as PDF to a specific folder? I see a workflow in the pull-down menu that says “Save PDF to iPhoto” It would be nice to be able to add the pull-down menu or simply have the PDF directed to a folder.
Great tip, thanks. Can this be modified to save as PDF to a specific folder? I see a workflow in the pull-down menu that says “Save PDF to iPhoto” It would be nice to be able to add the pull-down menu or simply have the PDF directed to a folder.
Great tip, thanks. Can this be modified to save as PDF to a specific folder? I see a workflow in the pull-down menu that says “Save PDF to iPhoto” It would be nice to be able to add the pull-down menu or simply have the PDF directed to a folder.
Great tip, thanks. Can this be modified to save as PDF to a specific folder? I see a workflow in the pull-down menu that says “Save PDF to iPhoto” It would be nice to be able to add the pull-down menu or simply have the PDF directed to a folder.
Great tip, thanks. Can this be modified to save as PDF to a specific folder? I see a workflow in the pull-down menu that says “Save PDF to iPhoto” It would be nice to be able to add the pull-down menu or simply have the PDF directed to a folder.
Doesn’t work for me. It prints the page same as I type āP and enter
Doesn’t work for me. It prints the page same as I type āP and enter
Doesn’t work for me. It prints the page same as I type āP and enter
Doesn’t work for me. It prints the page same as I type āP and enter
Doesn’t work for me. It prints the page same as I type āP and enter
Be sure to not capitalize “as”; Entering Save As PDF… will not work, but Save as PDF… does work.
Be sure to not capitalize “as”; Entering Save As PDF… will not work, but Save as PDF… does work.
Be sure to not capitalize “as”; Entering Save As PDF… will not work, but Save as PDF… does work.
Be sure to not capitalize “as”; Entering Save As PDF… will not work, but Save as PDF… does work.
Be sure to not capitalize “as”; Entering Save As PDF… will not work, but Save as PDF… does work.
I have been looking for this for HOURS. By far the best method. THANKS.
I have been looking for this for HOURS. By far the best method. THANKS.
I have been looking for this for HOURS. By far the best method. THANKS.
I have been looking for this for HOURS. By far the best method. THANKS.
I have been looking for this for HOURS. By far the best method. THANKS.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Wish I knew this months ago.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Wish I knew this months ago.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Wish I knew this months ago.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Wish I knew this months ago.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Wish I knew this months ago.
My problem is that I want to save only pages 3-500 not 1-500 but I can’t change those options via this method.
My problem is that I want to save only pages 3-500 not 1-500 but I can’t change those options via this method.
My problem is that I want to save only pages 3-500 not 1-500 but I can’t change those options via this method.
My problem is that I want to save only pages 3-500 not 1-500 but I can’t change those options via this method.
My problem is that I want to save only pages 3-500 not 1-500 but I can’t change those options via this method.
Tiger 2009-09-01
Did not work, command + P twice doesn’t work. Followed intruct exactly. is this Leo only?
Tiger 2009-09-01
Did not work, command + P twice doesn’t work. Followed intruct exactly. is this Leo only?
Tiger 2009-09-01
Did not work, command + P twice doesn’t work. Followed intruct exactly. is this Leo only?
Tiger 2009-09-01
Did not work, command + P twice doesn’t work. Followed intruct exactly. is this Leo only?
Tiger 2009-09-01
Did not work, command + P twice doesn’t work. Followed intruct exactly. is this Leo only?
Brilliant!!!
Make sure you write it EXACTLY the same. ‘Save’ – with capital ‘S’ and ‘as’ with small letters. Or just copy&paste from this page.
(Didn’t work the first time for me because I wrote ‘As’ instead of ‘as’.)
Using 10.5
Brilliant!!!
Make sure you write it EXACTLY the same. ‘Save’ – with capital ‘S’ and ‘as’ with small letters. Or just copy&paste from this page.
(Didn’t work the first time for me because I wrote ‘As’ instead of ‘as’.)
Using 10.5
Brilliant!!!
Make sure you write it EXACTLY the same. ‘Save’ – with capital ‘S’ and ‘as’ with small letters. Or just copy&paste from this page.
(Didn’t work the first time for me because I wrote ‘As’ instead of ‘as’.)
Using 10.5
Brilliant!!!
Make sure you write it EXACTLY the same. ‘Save’ – with capital ‘S’ and ‘as’ with small letters. Or just copy&paste from this page.
(Didn’t work the first time for me because I wrote ‘As’ instead of ‘as’.)
Using 10.5
Brilliant!!!
Make sure you write it EXACTLY the same. ‘Save’ – with capital ‘S’ and ‘as’ with small letters. Or just copy&paste from this page.
(Didn’t work the first time for me because I wrote ‘As’ instead of ‘as’.)
Using 10.5
Thanks David, I have been wanting this feature for years. Why has this not been documented somewhere previously?
Does this still work in Snow Leopard ?
Thanks David, I have been wanting this feature for years. Why has this not been documented somewhere previously?
Does this still work in Snow Leopard ?
Thanks David, I have been wanting this feature for years. Why has this not been documented somewhere previously?
Does this still work in Snow Leopard ?
Thanks David, I have been wanting this feature for years. Why has this not been documented somewhere previously?
Does this still work in Snow Leopard ?
Thanks David, I have been wanting this feature for years. Why has this not been documented somewhere previously?
Does this still work in Snow Leopard ?
@Peter
Yup .. still works in 10.6
@Peter
Yup .. still works in 10.6
@Peter
Yup .. still works in 10.6
@Peter
Yup .. still works in 10.6
@Peter
Yup .. still works in 10.6
you made my day buddy!!!
I have been looking for this forever!!!!
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!
This has been bugging me for ever. I was so close, too. Thanks for sharing this. Awesome.
Absolutely fantastic tip. The only unfortunate side effect is it seems to kill the Shift-ļ£æ-I command for "Mail Link to This Page", but manually adding into Keyboard Shortcuts brings it back.
I read about this when first posted, and wanted forever to set up. Finally did. Beautiful. Thanks. – H
I read about this when first posted, and wanted forever to set up. Finally did. Beautiful. Thanks. – H
I read about this when first posted, and wanted forever to set up. Finally did. Beautiful. Thanks. – H
I read about this when first posted, and wanted forever to set up. Finally did. Beautiful. Thanks. – H
I read about this when first posted, and wanted forever to set up. Finally did. Beautiful. Thanks. – H
Found this very helpful. Thanks for finding the time to track this down and post.
I listen to to every episod of Mac Power Users, but I've neglected your blog. This post just took it to my list of Feeds. Great job, David!
I listen to to every episod of Mac Power Users, but I've neglected your blog. This post just took it to my list of Feeds. Great job, David!
I listen to to every episod of Mac Power Users, but I've neglected your blog. This post just took it to my list of Feeds. Great job, David!
I listen to to every episod of Mac Power Users, but I've neglected your blog. This post just took it to my list of Feeds. Great job, David!
I listen to to every episod of Mac Power Users, but I've neglected your blog. This post just took it to my list of Feeds. Great job, David!
This is AWESOME! Thanks so much for posting.
I'm trying to get this to work with sending PDF's to Evernote. I press CMD P, it brings up print window, but I then have to select PDF dropdown box before the second CMD P will send the page to Evernote. CMD P P doesn't do it all it one shot. Any idea if this is possible?
I'm trying to get this to work with sending PDF's to Evernote. I press CMD P, it brings up print window, but I then have to select PDF dropdown box before the second CMD P will send the page to Evernote. CMD P P doesn't do it all it one shot. Any idea if this is possible?
I'm trying to get this to work with sending PDF's to Evernote. I press CMD P, it brings up print window, but I then have to select PDF dropdown box before the second CMD P will send the page to Evernote. CMD P P doesn't do it all it one shot. Any idea if this is possible?
I'm trying to get this to work with sending PDF's to Evernote. I press CMD P, it brings up print window, but I then have to select PDF dropdown box before the second CMD P will send the page to Evernote. CMD P P doesn't do it all it one shot. Any idea if this is possible?
I'm trying to get this to work with sending PDF's to Evernote. I press CMD P, it brings up print window, but I then have to select PDF dropdown box before the second CMD P will send the page to Evernote. CMD P P doesn't do it all it one shot. Any idea if this is possible?
Same here. It bring up the print dialog. Running 10.6.5
Now this is cool.
Awesome.
I just added 'Save PDF to Evernote' and bound it to ā-E
Now archiving a fulltext snapshot of a webpage to Evernote is as simple as ā-P then E
Love it!
Awesome.
I just added 'Save PDF to Evernote' and bound it to ā-E
Now archiving a fulltext snapshot of a webpage to Evernote is as simple as ā-P then E
Love it!
Awesome.
I just added 'Save PDF to Evernote' and bound it to ā-E
Now archiving a fulltext snapshot of a webpage to Evernote is as simple as ā-P then E
Love it!
Awesome.
I just added 'Save PDF to Evernote' and bound it to ā-E
Now archiving a fulltext snapshot of a webpage to Evernote is as simple as ā-P then E
Love it!
Awesome.
I just added 'Save PDF to Evernote' and bound it to ā-E
Now archiving a fulltext snapshot of a webpage to Evernote is as simple as ā-P then E
Love it!
Excellent tip. It works just as advertised! Thanks for sharing.
Excellent tip. It works just as advertised! Thanks for sharing.
Excellent tip. It works just as advertised! Thanks for sharing.
Excellent tip. It works just as advertised! Thanks for sharing.
Excellent tip. It works just as advertised! Thanks for sharing.
You win… +100
Thank you.
You win… +100
Thank you.
You win… +100
Thank you.
You win… +100
Thank you.
You win… +100
Thank you.
I did this some time ago, unfortunately it stopped working for me until after I click on the little PDF button, after which the shortcut works again. Does anyone have any thoughts as to what may have done this for me? (Al Macbook, 10.6.4)
I did this some time ago, unfortunately it stopped working for me until after I click on the little PDF button, after which the shortcut works again. Does anyone have any thoughts as to what may have done this for me? (Al Macbook, 10.6.4)
I did this some time ago, unfortunately it stopped working for me until after I click on the little PDF button, after which the shortcut works again. Does anyone have any thoughts as to what may have done this for me? (Al Macbook, 10.6.4)
I did this some time ago, unfortunately it stopped working for me until after I click on the little PDF button, after which the shortcut works again. Does anyone have any thoughts as to what may have done this for me? (Al Macbook, 10.6.4)
I did this some time ago, unfortunately it stopped working for me until after I click on the little PDF button, after which the shortcut works again. Does anyone have any thoughts as to what may have done this for me? (Al Macbook, 10.6.4)
The reason you have to type option + semicolon instead of three periods is that the ellipsis is a single character, not three characters. The text you enter for the menu title must match the menu text exactly, and one ellipsis character does not match three periods.
The reason you have to type option + semicolon instead of three periods is that the ellipsis is a single character, not three characters. The text you enter for the menu title must match the menu text exactly, and one ellipsis character does not match three periods.
The reason you have to type option + semicolon instead of three periods is that the ellipsis is a single character, not three characters. The text you enter for the menu title must match the menu text exactly, and one ellipsis character does not match three periods.
The reason you have to type option + semicolon instead of three periods is that the ellipsis is a single character, not three characters. The text you enter for the menu title must match the menu text exactly, and one ellipsis character does not match three periods.
The reason you have to type option + semicolon instead of three periods is that the ellipsis is a single character, not three characters. The text you enter for the menu title must match the menu text exactly, and one ellipsis character does not match three periods.
Absolutely genius – may have been posted elsewhere but I didn't see it.
Absolutely genius – may have been posted elsewhere but I didn't see it.
Absolutely genius – may have been posted elsewhere but I didn't see it.
Absolutely genius – may have been posted elsewhere but I didn't see it.
Absolutely genius – may have been posted elsewhere but I didn't see it.
It took me a couple of tries to figure out that you need to let the print dialogue come up before pressing P the 2nd time. If you do cmd-P-P too quickly, it just opens the print dialogue twice.
Doesn't work for me. 10.6.4 but still opens the print dialogue only plus the annoying sound when you hit the wrong key.
Doesn't work for me. 10.6.4 but still opens the print dialogue only plus the annoying sound when you hit the wrong key.
Doesn't work for me. 10.6.4 but still opens the print dialogue only plus the annoying sound when you hit the wrong key.
Doesn't work for me. 10.6.4 but still opens the print dialogue only plus the annoying sound when you hit the wrong key.
Doesn't work for me. 10.6.4 but still opens the print dialogue only plus the annoying sound when you hit the wrong key.
Opt+; (actually Opt+. on my keyboard) gives the ellipsis glyph. It's a single character that happens to look like three periods. Since Apple uses "real" ellipses as opposed to three separate periods, that's why you need to do the same.
Using 10.6.4. It only works if I open the dropdown menu and press Command-P again. does anyone know how to fix this?
Thanks for the post. Using this, and just wanted to give the shout out. Oh, and the download link on the Labs page points to the same place as the demo, instead of the zip file. Glad it was here too. š
Thanks for the post. Using this, and just wanted to give the shout out. Oh, and the download link on the Labs page points to the same place as the demo, instead of the zip file. Glad it was here too. š
Thanks for the post. Using this, and just wanted to give the shout out. Oh, and the download link on the Labs page points to the same place as the demo, instead of the zip file. Glad it was here too. š
Thanks for the post. Using this, and just wanted to give the shout out. Oh, and the download link on the Labs page points to the same place as the demo, instead of the zip file. Glad it was here too. š
Thanks for the post. Using this, and just wanted to give the shout out. Oh, and the download link on the Labs page points to the same place as the demo, instead of the zip file. Glad it was here too. š
so, the default keyboard shortcut is command -P, control-command-P. This just allows your little finger to snooze? Not that big a deal in my book.
WOW ! Thanks ! So useful !!!
@Nathan, this stopped working for me too. When I looked, the shortcut had been removed from System Preferences. When I added it back, it worked again.
This is a perfect example of why I need to be reviewing the MacSparky archives.
Awesome.
This is a perfect example of why I need to be reviewing the MacSparky archives.
Awesome.
This is a perfect example of why I need to be reviewing the MacSparky archives.
Awesome.
This is a perfect example of why I need to be reviewing the MacSparky archives.
Awesome.
This is a perfect example of why I need to be reviewing the MacSparky archives.
Awesome.
This is excellent. Thanks!
This is excellent. Thanks!
This is excellent. Thanks!
This is excellent. Thanks!
This is excellent. Thanks!
This is GREAT. Thanks!