![Create desktop shortcut on mac Create desktop shortcut on mac](/uploads/1/2/6/4/126451689/529524680.png)
The Dock in Mac OS X is how most users launch their frequently used applications, but it can also be a great way to jump directly to your favorite websites. For example, I use Plex on my Mac, and even though there is a full-featured Plex app for OS X, I prefer the interface of the “Plex Web” experience, which is accessed via a browser. Until now, I’ve accessed Plex on my Mac by launching Safari and using a bookmark to my Plex server in the Bookmarks Bar. But I decided to make launching Plex even faster by adding a shortcut to my Plex server’s address directly to the Dock. Here’s how it works.
While I’m using Plex in my example, these steps can be used to add a Dock icon for just about any website. First, launch Safari and navigate to the website you wish to add to your Dock. Make sure to navigate to the exact URL you want to open with your Dock icon. Another example aside from Plex: if I want to create a Dock icon to launch the Buffalo Sabres page at TSN, I’d navigate to that exact URL (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/team/buffalo-sabres), not the primary TSN URL (http://www.tsn.ca).
In the Plex example, I’ll navigate to the Plex Web URL, which is https://app.plex.tv/web/app, and then log in with my account credentials if necessary. Once logged in, use the mouse or trackpad to click and hold on the URL in the Safari address bar.
While continuing to hold your click, drag the URL down to the right side of your Dock (the side to the right of the dividing line, which contains the Trash can and your Downloads and Documents folders. As you move your mouse cursor into the area on the right side of the Dock, you’ll see a space appear designating the position of your website URL. Once you’ve positioned it in the desired location, release your mouse click and a globe icon will appear in the empty space. This is the shortcut to your website URL, which you can verify by hovering your cursor over the icon to reveal its description.
To launch the site via your new shortcut, just click on it like you would with a standard Mac app. The designated URL will open directly in your Mac’s default browser. In our Plex example, clicking the new Dock icon sends me directly to the Plex Web interface in Safari. If your browser is already open, clicking the icon will load the site in either a new tab or a new window, depending on your settings in Safari’s Preferences.
You can repeat the steps above to add multiple websites to your Dock, and you can even add custom icons to individual website Dock icons. The trick in the latter case is to drag the website URL from Safari’s address bar to your Desktop first, then follow the same steps used to change other icons in OS X, and then finally drag the URL icon to your Dock. Once in place in your Dock, you can rearrange your website shortcuts by clicking and dragging them, but keep in mind that they need to remain on the right side of the Dock’s dividing line.
While I’m using Plex in my example, these steps can be used to add a Dock icon for just about any website. First, launch Safari and navigate to the website you wish to add to your Dock. Make sure to navigate to the exact URL you want to open with your Dock icon. Another example aside from Plex: if I want to create a Dock icon to launch the Buffalo Sabres page at TSN, I’d navigate to that exact URL (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/team/buffalo-sabres), not the primary TSN URL (http://www.tsn.ca).
In the Plex example, I’ll navigate to the Plex Web URL, which is https://app.plex.tv/web/app, and then log in with my account credentials if necessary. Once logged in, use the mouse or trackpad to click and hold on the URL in the Safari address bar.
While continuing to hold your click, drag the URL down to the right side of your Dock (the side to the right of the dividing line, which contains the Trash can and your Downloads and Documents folders. As you move your mouse cursor into the area on the right side of the Dock, you’ll see a space appear designating the position of your website URL. Once you’ve positioned it in the desired location, release your mouse click and a globe icon will appear in the empty space. This is the shortcut to your website URL, which you can verify by hovering your cursor over the icon to reveal its description.
To launch the site via your new shortcut, just click on it like you would with a standard Mac app. The designated URL will open directly in your Mac’s default browser. In our Plex example, clicking the new Dock icon sends me directly to the Plex Web interface in Safari. If your browser is already open, clicking the icon will load the site in either a new tab or a new window, depending on your settings in Safari’s Preferences.
You can repeat the steps above to add multiple websites to your Dock, and you can even add custom icons to individual website Dock icons. The trick in the latter case is to drag the website URL from Safari’s address bar to your Desktop first, then follow the same steps used to change other icons in OS X, and then finally drag the URL icon to your Dock. Once in place in your Dock, you can rearrange your website shortcuts by clicking and dragging them, but keep in mind that they need to remain on the right side of the Dock’s dividing line.
If you often create and edit documents using Google Docs, then you’ll definitely want an easier way to create new documents. By default, Google Docs isn’t like MS Word. It doesn’t have a keyboard shortcut for creating new documents. You really need to go through its “File” tab and then select “New” > “Document”. The same goes if you want to create a new spreadsheet or presentation.
The good thing is there’s a workaround and it can be done by adding desktop shortcuts. So with a simple desktop shortcut, you’re just a “double-click” away to creating a new Google Docs document. Just read this post to learn how.
How to create desktop shortcuts for Google Docs in Windows
To make an alias, just right-click on the app, file, or folder that you want to have a shortcut. When the menu shows up, just click on the option to 'Make Alias.' For example, I use Plex on my Mac, and even though there is a full-featured Plex app for OS X, I prefer the interface of the “Plex Web” experience, which is accessed via a browser.
- First and foremost, open your web browser and make sure that you’re already signed in to your Google account. By signing in to your Google account, you can open any Google service or app without being constantly prompted to enter your Google account email and password.
- So once you’re logged in, just minimize your browser and go to your desktop.
- Right-click on your desktop and then on the right-click menu, select “New” > “Shortcut”.
- On the dialog box that appears, paste the following URL on the “Type the location of the item” field:
- For creating new Google Docs documents, use:http://docs.google.com/?action=newdoc
- For creating new Sheets, use:http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?new
- For creating new Presentations, use:http://docs.google.com/?action=new_presentation
- To continue, click “Next”.
- On the next dialog, you will be asked to enter a name for new shortcut. Just enter “Google Docs” or any name that you want.
- Click “Finish” to confirm.
Setting a custom icon for your new Google Docs desktop shortcut
- Now, that your Google Docs desktop shortcut is ready, you may opt to change its icon as well. Just right-click on the shortcut icon and then on the menu that appears, select “Properties”.
- Go to the “Web Document” tab and then click “Change Icon”.
- Select the icon that you want, click “OK” then “Apply” then “OK” again.
Create Shortcut On Mac For Doc App Download
That’s it. So every time you click the shortcut icon for Google Docs on your desktop, it will automatically open Google Docs on your default web browser. Just click the “+” icon on the bottom-right side of your Google Docs interface to create a new document and you’re all set.
Add Shortcut To Mac Desktop
If you want to create another shortcut for Google Sheets or Presentations, just repeat the steps above but use the given URLs for Sheets and Presentations.