Even when you’re comfortable with Mac applications like Mail or Safari, you may come across buttons or icons you’re not familiar with.
In the early days of computing, everything was unfamiliar, and this was a much bigger problem.
Apple created the first Mac built-in help system in 1991. That system has grown and changed over the last 20 years into what we now call ToolTips.
What Are ToolTips?
ToolTips are those tiny yellow information boxes that appear next to your cursor when you hover over a button or icon.
On the Mac, by default, Tooltips are turned on.
Why Would I Use Them?
If you update Microsoft Word or Excel, and you’re puzzled by the new interface, use ToolTips to poke around and find out what different buttons do.
If you love iPhoto or iMovie, ToolTips is a great way to explore new features and expand your abilities.
You or your kids are bound to come face to face with a strange button eventually. ToolTips are a great starting point to answer the age-old question “What does that do.”
And If You Hate ToolTips And Want To Turn Them Off?
There’s no easy way. You need to use Terminal commands. If your comfortable with Terminal, you’ll find the necessary code on the net.
If you have questions, please use the Comments section below.
Actually I find the tool tips useful. Especially when receiving phishing attempts and other less than scrupulous spam. It allows me to see where the link might really be going.
But for whatever reason, my tool ytips in the email previews are no longer showing. Any idea why this might happen?
Thanks!
Hey JJ – I actually use them for the same thing. I haven’t come across this issue. My guess is it’s either a plugin conflict or a bug. Try turning off any plugins or extensions you use. If that doesn’t work, report the bug to Apple here.
If you’re comfortable using Terminal, it may be worth trying the string that turns tooltips on in Apple Mail. It’s possible it was turned off by some piece of software.
If you noodle around on the web, you’ll find it.
Best of luck. Thanks for reading – John
How to turn on tooltips for Mac Word 2011? Thank U
Hi – In Word go to View> Toolbars> Customize Toolbars & Menus. Uncheck the option to Show Screentips for toolbar commands. – John