How do I show keyboard shortcuts?

[Lars Forslin]

How do I get to see all keyboard shortcuts on the drop-down menus?

Regards,
--
Lars Forslin


"Doing time on earth"

**************************

 

[Ron]

They are listed in the help files.

 

[Lars Forslin]

Yes, but I want them to show in the menus so I can learn them quickly. All
of them. Some already do, but why not all?
/Lars

 

[Beth Melton]

All of the keyboard shortcuts are not listed in the menus, only those
that are the most common.

You can display shortcuts for toolbar commands by going to
Tools/Customize and on the Options tab turn on "Show shortcut keys in
screen tips". And you can find Function key shortcuts by turning on
the Function Key toolbar under Tools/Customize/Toolbars.

As Ron noted, you can find them in the Help files. Other than that if
there is a specific command for which you would like to find the
shortcut you can use the following steps:

- Press Ctrl + Alt + Plus (on 10-key pad - your mouse will look like a
clover)
- Use the command in the menu/toolbar

Results: The Customize Keyboard dialog box should open and provide the
current keyboard shortcut. If one is not assigned, or if you would
like to assign a different shortcut, you can easily assign one using
the dialog box.

--
Please post all follow-up questions to the newsgroup. Requests for
assistance by email can not be acknowledged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP

Word FAQ: http://mvps.org/word
TechTrax eZine: http://mousetrax.com/techtrax/
MVP FAQ site: http://mvps.org/

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

For toolbars you can use Tools | Customize | Options: "Show shortcut keys in
ScreenTips," but this doesn't seem to affect shortcuts on menus. Some of the
menu commands already show shortcuts, and many of those that don't don't
have assigned shortcuts (aside from the Alt+X, X accelerator keys).

 

[Lars Forslin]

I already have "Show shortcut keys..." turned on. All of them still don't
show. Wonder why when apparently there are shortcuts assigned as I can see
when I use your method. Thanks for the tip but it is still a bit awkward.
/Lars

 

[Beth Melton]

I suspect the menus would be far too cluttered if they tried to
include every shortcut.

Yeah, the method is a little awkward but that's the best method I've
found. Of course once you find the keyboard shortcut it may not hurt
to make a little shortcut sheet for those you commonly use.

--
Please post all follow-up questions to the newsgroup. Requests for
assistance by email can not be acknowledged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP

Word FAQ: http://mvps.org/word
TechTrax eZine: http://mousetrax.com/techtrax/
MVP FAQ site: http://mvps.org/

 

[Lars Forslin]

Yeah, maybe it's the cluttering factor... But, in the dropdowns there are
plenty of space, and if you don't want to see the shortcuts - well, that's
what the visibility toggling is for, right? I dont't understand what it's
for if that's not the case. But, well, this is Microsoft, so I guess you
can't expect very much logic...
/Lars

 

[Top Spin]

Yeah, maybe it's the cluttering factor... But, in the dropdowns there are
plenty of space, and if you don't want to see the shortcuts - well, that's
what the visibility toggling is for, right? I dont't understand what it's
for if that's not the case. But, well, this is Microsoft, so I guess you
can't expect very much logic...
/Lars

Quite right. It is annoying when software engineers decide they know
what is best and design systems that prevent users how configuring
their systems the way THEY want them to be. If the engineer is worried
about clutter, make it an option. Maybe some users don't mind the
clutter. Just give them a choice.

 

[Beth Melton]

I agree, the ability to toggle all keyboard shortcuts on the menus
would be nice and is a good suggestion but here are some aspects to
consider:

- The application UI is based on usability studies which help the
designers gear the UI to the 'midrange' of users.

- You can't use a keyboard shortcut if the menu is open so it's still
a matter of memorization.

- The majority of the keyboard shortcuts that are referenced are not
specific to the application and will function the same in all
applications. So if you do want to memorize them the best ones to
memorize are those that will work the same in all applications. So
menu items that are similar in other applications, but have different
keyboard shortcuts, could start to get confusing.

- You do have the ability to customize the menus and the keyboard
shortcuts if you'd like (although it is a manual effort)

--
Please post all follow-up questions to the newsgroup. Requests for
assistance by email can not be acknowledged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP

Word FAQ: http://mvps.org/word
TechTrax eZine: http://mousetrax.com/techtrax/
MVP FAQ site: http://mvps.org/

 

[Lars Forslin]

I agree, the ability to toggle all keyboard shortcuts on the menus would be
nice and is a good suggestion but here are some aspects to consider:

- The application UI is based on usability studies which help the
designers gear the UI to the 'midrange' of users.

- You can't use a keyboard shortcut if the menu is open so it's still a
matter of memorization.

Yes, but it's easier to memorize if you just can take a glance at the menus
when needed.

- The majority of the keyboard shortcuts that are referenced are not
specific to the application and will function the same in all
applications. So if you do want to memorize them the best ones to memorize
are those that will work the same in all applications. So menu items that
are similar in other applications, but have different keyboard shortcuts,
could start to get confusing.

The most common shortcuts are the ones least needen in the menus, because
them you already know, like Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V etc. It's quite contrary the
more specialized ones that you need to have a quick peek now and then. Just
give us the option to see all shortcuts or just the most common ones, and
everybody will be satisfied.

- You do have the ability to customize the menus and the keyboard
shortcuts if you'd like (although it is a manual effort)

Yes, but you might still forget how you customized it, so it would be great
if it could be visible on the menu.

/Lars

 

[Top Spin]

Yes, but it's easier to memorize if you just can take a glance at the menus
when needed.


The most common shortcuts are the ones least needen in the menus, because
them you already know, like Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V etc. It's quite contrary the
more specialized ones that you need to have a quick peek now and then. Just
give us the option to see all shortcuts or just the most common ones, and
everybody will be satisfied.


Yes, but you might still forget how you customized it, so it would be great
if it could be visible on the menu.

Well said. I should have said it that way! ;-)

--
Running Word 2K SP-3 (9.0.6926)
PC: HP Omnibook 6000
OS: Win 2K SP-4 (5.00.2195)
Email: Usenet-20031220 at spamex.com
(11/03/04)

 

[Lars Forslin]

Thanks, but unfortunately I don't think it helps. Microsoft are renowned for
not making things too straightforward...
/Lars