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

The table, VEA Exceptions to Microsoft Keyboard Conventions, summarizes the keyboard differences between the VERITAS implementation of mnemonics and accelerators, and the Microsoft keyboard convention:

VEA Exceptions to Microsoft Keyboard Conventions

VEA Additions to Microsoft Keyboard Conventions

The table, VEA Additions to Microsoft Keyboard Conventions, summarizes the keyboard additions to the Microsoft keyboard conventions in the VERITAS implementation of mnemonics and accelerators:

VEA Additions to Microsoft Keyboard Conventions

VEA Help Additions to Microsoft Keyboard Conventions

The table, VEA/Applications Help Additions to Microsoft Keyboard Conventions, summarizes the keyboard additions to the Microsoft keyboard conventions in the VERITAS implementation of mnemonics and accelerators:

VEA/Applications Help Additions to Microsoft Keyboard Conventions