Mike Mesford

Q: How can I use Numbers keyboard shortcuts on a Macbook

The two keys I would most like to use are Home and End.  I've seen suggestions for using various combinations of Fn-Left, Fn-Right, Fn-Cmd-Left, Fn-Cmd-Right, etc.  None of them works for me.  Can someone let me in on the secret?

Posted on Dec 5, 2012 5:51 AM

Close

Q: How can I use Numbers keyboard shortcuts on a Macbook

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Jeff Shenk,

    Jeff Shenk Jeff Shenk Dec 5, 2012 6:23 AM in response to Mike Mesford
    Level 4 (2,803 points)
    Dec 5, 2012 6:23 AM in response to Mike Mesford

    This page includes this information:

     

    • Home key functionality is performed by pressing Fn (Function) and Left Arrow key.

    • End key functionality is performed by pressing Fn and Right Arrow key.

  • by Mike Mesford,

    Mike Mesford Mike Mesford Dec 5, 2012 8:52 AM in response to Jeff Shenk
    Level 1 (34 points)
    iPad
    Dec 5, 2012 8:52 AM in response to Jeff Shenk

    That's what I've read.  But those combinations don't work.  I have an older, black Macbook, early Intel, I'm running Lion and using Numbers v2.2 ('09).  I have no idea why those keys don't work as advertised.

  • by Jeff Shenk,

    Jeff Shenk Jeff Shenk Dec 5, 2012 10:19 AM in response to Mike Mesford
    Level 4 (2,803 points)
    Dec 5, 2012 10:19 AM in response to Mike Mesford

    Those combinations work on my G4 iBook (which is even older than you Macbook) and they work with my Mac mini with the aluminum Apple keyboard (which is newer), so they should work for you.

     

    When using a modifier key like fn, you have to hold the modifier key down, then press the second key. That is, the fn key must be down before the arrow key is pressed and it must stll be down when the arrow key is pressed.

    I imagine you know that.

     

    Do the arrow keys work normally, for example to move the cursor in text?

     

    Does the fn key work for other things (fn - delete to delete forward, for example).

     

    Have you looked for settings in Systems Preferences > Keyboard that might affect this (I don't really think that any should) or might you have any third party software that would affect keyboard input?

  • by Mike Mesford,

    Mike Mesford Mike Mesford Dec 5, 2012 12:17 PM in response to Jeff Shenk
    Level 1 (34 points)
    iPad
    Dec 5, 2012 12:17 PM in response to Jeff Shenk

    Thanks, Jeff,

     

    Yes, I know how the keys _should_ work, as you imagine .  And the arrow keys work normally by themselves. The Fn key also works as it should in the example you suggested (fwd delete).  I don't have any third party stuff that should affect keyboard issues, that I know of.  I don't see any conflicts in the various shortcuts defined in Preferences-Keyboard.  Weird.

     

    Mike

  • by Jeff Shenk,

    Jeff Shenk Jeff Shenk Dec 5, 2012 12:49 PM in response to Mike Mesford
    Level 4 (2,803 points)
    Dec 5, 2012 12:49 PM in response to Mike Mesford

    If the keys work independently, then its probably not a hardware problem. I would guess the next step would probably be to try a different user account (a test user) to see if the problem is just for your user, or if it is system wide.

  • by Mike Mesford,

    Mike Mesford Mike Mesford Dec 6, 2012 10:30 PM in response to Jeff Shenk
    Level 1 (34 points)
    iPad
    Dec 6, 2012 10:30 PM in response to Jeff Shenk

    Well, when logged in as a different user the keys behaved differently.  Still not quite as I expected but I didn't play with it much.  Just enough to confirm that the problem was with my usual account. 

  • by Jeff Shenk,

    Jeff Shenk Jeff Shenk Dec 7, 2012 4:27 AM in response to Mike Mesford
    Level 4 (2,803 points)
    Dec 7, 2012 4:27 AM in response to Mike Mesford

    That would tend to point to a corrupt preference file, in your User Library. I am afraid I can't help much there, since I am still using Snow Leopard and I don't have a Macbook (and I'd just be guessing anyway).

     

    Since the Home and End shortcuts are System functions, rather than specific to Numbers, you might get more help in the Lion forum than here.

  • by Mike Mesford,

    Mike Mesford Mike Mesford Dec 9, 2012 12:43 AM in response to Jeff Shenk
    Level 1 (34 points)
    iPad
    Dec 9, 2012 12:43 AM in response to Jeff Shenk

    Thanks, Jeff, I'll try there.