Shortcut Keys

Source: CUA, Motif, Windows
Alias: Accelerators (Motif)
Related: Mnemonic; Command

Shortcut keys are a single key or combination of keys that users select to perform an action that is available from a menu.

To represent combinations of keys as a shortcut, show the first key, the plus sign (+), then the second key. For example, Ctrl+O. Note shortcut keys are represented with capital letters, but the user should be able to use lowercase.

Shortcut keys must be consistent across windows, performing the same function in every window in which they appear in an application.

Rules for usage:

• Provide a shortcut key only when task analysis indicates that the choice is used frequently. Do not overuse them.

• Use the <Ctrl> key as part of the application-specific shortcut-key assignment.

• Avoid using the <Alt> key as part of the application-specific shortcut-key assignment; <Alt> key should be used for mnemonic access.

Standard shortcut keys

Function	Shortcut key	Notes
Clear	<Del>	1
Copy	<Ctrl>C	2
Cut	<Ctrl>X
Delete	<Del>	3
New	<Ctrl>N	4
Open	<Ctrl>O/<Enter>	5
Paste	<Ctrl>V
Print	<Ctrl>P
Refresh	<F5>	6
Save	<Ctrl>S
Select All	<Ctrl>/	7
Deselect All	<Ctrl>\
Undo	<Ctrl>Z

Notes:

1. and 3.

Assign the <Del> key to either Delete or Clear if only one is provided. If both Delete and Clear are provided, assign the <Del> key to the Delete function.

2.

Copy is a copy to clipboard function, not ``Copy files'' or ``Copy To'', which have no standard shortcut keys.

4.

New is not a Motif specified accelerator, but is used as a shortcut key in Windows applications. This shortcut key will be further investigated as a standard. Do not assign Ctrl+N as a shortcut key for anything but New.

5.

The Open command has two possible shortcut key mappings. Ctrl+O is used for the function ``Open...'', causing a dialog to appear. <Enter> is used for Open when referring to a selected item.

6.

Refresh refers to the Refresh Now command, not the setting for Refresh On or Refresh Off.

7.

The shortcut key, Ctrl+A is used in Windows for Select All. A change to the Windows shortcut key is under investigation.