Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts are possible using accelerators and mnemonics.

Accelerators

Accelerators are key combinations that provide shortcut access to GUI functions. They allow you to use a computer from the keyboard, rather than using the mouse. Accelerators are sometimes a quicker way of getting to a command, especially for the experienced user or a user who is disabled and is unable to manipulate a mouse or to press more than one key at the same time. Accelerator keys are either a single keystroke or two or more keystrokes that can be pressed in succession (rather than holding them simultaneously). Some users are unable to use a mouse, and some users prefer to use the keyboard rather than a mouse.

Mnemonics

Mnemonics are single key strokes, used to activate components such as menu items. A single mnemonic is equivalent to a mouse click. A mnemonic can be used to select a menu item by pressing the <Alt> key to go into menu pull-down mode, pressing a single key to open a menu and another key to select a menu item.

For example;

• <Alt> to go into menu pull-down mode
• <f> key to access the File menu
• <o> to activate the “open” command

Mnemonics are case insensitive. Keys can be pressed sequentially instead of simultaneously.

Keyboard Mapping Conventions

Exceptions and additions to the Microsoft Keyboard Conventions are listed in:

• VEA Exceptions to Microsoft Keyboard Conventions
• VEA Additions to Microsoft Keyboard Conventions
• VEA Help Additions to Microsoft Keyboard Conventions

VEA Exceptions to Microsoft Keyboard Conventions

TABLE 1. VEA Exceptions to Microsoft Keyboard Conventions

Convention	Mnemonic	Accelerator
Cancel	C	Alt C, Escape
OK	O	Alt O
Refresh	E	None
Yes	None	None
No	None	Escape
Shift+F10	A	Alt A

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VEA Additions to Microsoft Keyboard Conventions

TABLE 2. VEA Additions to Microsoft Keyboard Conventions

Convention	Mnemonic	Accelerator
Actions	A	Alt A. Use this accelerator in place of Shift+F10 with a selected item to bring up the context menu with the Actions menu.
Add category	A	None
Add	D	Alt D
Connect	C	None
Contents	C	None
Delete Now	None	None
Delete Temporary files on Exit	E	Alt E
Disconnect		None
Number of items in history	N	Alt N
Password	P	Alt P
Previous	P	Alt P
Overwrite the log file	W	Alt W
Overwrite the log file (s) after	A	Alt A
Overwrite the log file (s) older than	O	Alt O
Remove	E	Alt E
Rescan	S	None
Reset	R	Alt R
Set to Defaults	S	S
Remember Password	R	Alt R
Username	U	Alt U

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VEA Help Additions to Microsoft Keyboard Conventions

TABLE 3. VEA/Applications Help Additions to Microsoft Keyboard Conventions