menu shortcuts

[michaelssw]

In windows the were shortcut keys based on the alt key that opened a
drop down file. Is there anyway to get Word X to do that?

 

[JE McGimpsey]

In windows the were shortcut keys based on the alt key that opened a
drop down file. Is there anyway to get Word X to do that?

I assume you mean drop down menu rather than drop down file (if not,
stop here, cause I've got no idea what the latter would be).

Not in Word X itself, but you can customize almost any keyboard shortcut
using Tools/Customize...

OTOH, OS X provides something similar, though a bit less convenient:

In System Prefs/Keyboard and Mouse/Keyboard Shortcuts, turn on full
keyboard access. You can then use a shortcut key (by default CTRL-F2,
but you can change it) to change focus to the Menu. Use the tab or arrow
keys to select the menu, then type the first letter of the menu command.

 

[michaelssw]

I think my original question is different

In windows the were shortcut keys based on the alt key that opened a
drop down file. Thus alt+F simply opened the File menu for you to look
at and then select what you wanted.
Is there anyway to get Word X to do just that -- open a drop down
menu?

I know how to customize commands via the tools menu.

Mike

 

[matt neuburg]

n windows the were shortcut keys based on the alt key that opened a
drop down file. Thus alt+F simply opened the File menu for you to look
at and then select what you wanted.
Is there anyway to get Word X to do just that -- open a drop down
menu?

Yes, sort of. This is a feature built into Mac OS X. On Panther you
access it through a shortcut that you can define in the System
Preferences (Keyboard & Mouse, Keyboard Shortcuts). The default is
control-F2 (and control-F1 to turn the feature on and off), but I have
it redefined to control-m (M for menu, which I can remember more
easily). This key opens the first menu. After that, arrow keys navigate
the menus, or you can type the first few letters of a menu item. There
is no equivalent to those funny middle-of-the-word underlines, though,
so you can't use this device to jump right to a particular menu in one
move. m.

 

[michaelssw]

Yes, sort of. This is a feature built into Mac OS X. On Panther you
access it through a shortcut that you can define in the System
Preferences (Keyboard & Mouse, Keyboard Shortcuts). The default is
control-F2 (and control-F1 to turn the feature on and off), but I have
it redefined to control-m (M for menu, which I can remember more
easily). This key opens the first menu. After that, arrow keys navigate
the menus, or you can type the first few letters of a menu item. There
is no equivalent to those funny middle-of-the-word underlines, though,
so you can't use this device to jump right to a particular menu in one
move. m.

I have gone to system preferences, etc as you said. I check ed the box
for full key board access, unchecked the stuff I don't want. "Focus on
menu" has ^F2 beside it. I kept it checked. Quit system preferences
but nothing changed. I have a Powerbook G4 12 inch. Would that make a
difference?

I tried turning off and on the computer. Still no change.

Any ideas? My OS is 10.3.6

Mike

 

[matt neuburg]

[email protected] (matt neuburg) wrote in message

I have gone to system preferences, etc as you said. I check ed the box
for full key board access, unchecked the stuff I don't want.

I wouldn't uncheck anything if I were you.

"Focus on
menu" has ^F2 beside it. I kept it checked. Quit system preferences
but nothing changed. I have a Powerbook G4 12 inch. Would that make a
difference?

You might have to hold the "fn" key in order to strike F2 (so the full
combination in your case might be fn-control-F2). Or just change ^F2 to
something else such as control-m, as I suggested. Please see my book,
"Take Control of Customizing Panther," for lots more info and examples.
m.