open menu shortcut

Question

open menu shortcut

So, here's the thing. I just switched from PC (never going back). I love my mac, but it's slowing me down a bit. See, I rarely use my mouse. I rely mostly on shortcuts when I'm working. My problems is this:

I can't figure out how to open the "Edit" menu with a shortcut key. On a PC, if you are using Word and want to "Paste Special..." for instance, you can press "Alt+e" to open the edit menu, and then "s" to select "Paste Special..."

There's no shortcut key for Paste Special... in Word (and for several other commands). I've tried multiple ways to add that shortcut in (macros, system preference>keyboard...) I can't find anything that works.

Is there a shortcut key just to open a menu? Is there a way to add a shortcut for a specific command that doesn't have a default one?

Thanks in advance,
Greg

iBook G4, Mac OS X (10.4.11), None

Posted on Oct 10, 2008 12:47 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Oct 10, 2008 12:58 PM in response to Greg Michaelson

See Mac OS X keyboard shortcuts. If an application supports keyboard shortcuts they should be documented if they are different from those in the referenced article as well as available in their menus.

On the Mac the PC CTRL key is the equivalent of OS X's COMMAND (Apple) key.

COMMAND-C copies selected text, COMMAND-V pastes.

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Answer 2

Oct 10, 2008 1:04 PM in response to Kappy

Yes of course all that is true. I'm not confused about keyboard shortcuts, and I know how to find them in applications. I've read the article that you cited, and of course I can copy and paste with the keyboard.

I'm talking about "Paste Special..." not paste. It doesn't and has never had a shortcut key in any version of Office. I'm not asking about application shortcuts. Maybe I can be clearer.

I want to know if there is an OS X shortcut to open a menu (like the edit menu, say) in any application. It would be the equivalent of Alt+e (for the edit menu) on a PC.

Secondly, I tried to add the shortcut key under system preferences>keyboard&mouse>keyboard shortcuts. I added it, but it didn't work once I got back into Word.

I'm not only interested in this specific shortcut key. It's only an example of a larger problem.

Does that make more sense?

Sorry for being unclear.
Greg

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Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Oct 10, 2008 1:19 PM in response to Greg Michaelson

No, Paste Special does not usually have a shortcut. In Excel and Word you must use a menu selection. In all the years I've used the software Paste Special has never had a shortcut.

If you are looking for a shortcut to display a menubar menu, then you are correct that there is no shortcut for that unless one has been provided by the specific application.

If you customize a shortcut then you want to do it for the specific application. However, if the application is already using the shortcut, then yours may not work as the application may override the customized shortcut. This is an application problem rather than an OS X problem.

As a former Windows user, you will need to adapt to the changes between how each OS works. OS X is not identical to Windows. Some features of Windows may not be implemented, while other features may not exist in Windows.

This is not a "larger problem," but just the fact that these are two different operating systems. If you wish you can request new features or file bug reports and complaints here: Feedback. For individual applications such as Office, you should file your requests through their respective support or feedback pages.

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Answer 4

Oct 10, 2008 1:24 PM in response to Kappy

What's with the lecture? All I asked was if there was a Mac OS X shortcut to open a menu. I didn't say that mac should be like windows. I use it because it isn't like windows.

I'm just saying that I can't be the first person who has observed that a shortcut key to open a menu would be nice. It stands to reason that one has been implemented. But, as you say, one apparently has not.

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Answer 5

Oct 10, 2008 1:27 PM in response to Greg Michaelson

Incidentally, custom shortcut keys in Word can be assigned by Tool>Customize>Customize Keyboard.

Thanks for your help.
Greg

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Answer 6

Lanny

Level 6

13,183 points

Oct 10, 2008 1:29 PM in response to Greg Michaelson

You can create a shortcut key for "Paste Special" by using the capability built into "Word." It's shorter than the way you were using on your PC, but no doubt it's an available option on the PC version too.

In any case, on a Mac, open Word, click on the "Tools" menu, select "Customize Keyboard," under "Categories," select "Edit," under "Commands" select "EditPasteSpecial," then put your cursor in the "Press new keyboard shortcut" block and press, for example, the Option, Command and V keys, press the assign button.

Then Option-Command-V will do a Paste Special with one keystroke instead of your prior two stroke method.

It's all found by using the "Help" screens in "Word."

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Answer 7

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Oct 10, 2008 1:28 PM in response to Greg Michaelson

Just trying to be informative. Sorry if you didn't like my reply. I tried to provide the information you were seeking and a way to make requests for missing features. If you think that's a lecture, well I didn't intend that to be the case.

Perhaps you can wait for someone else to answer your post, and I'll be on my way.

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Answer 8

KJK555

Level 4

2,900 points

Oct 10, 2008 1:34 PM in response to Greg Michaelson

Hi Greg:
I don't know of any shortcut for paste special, but you should be able to create something similar
with the automator application. Check out the automator forum here at Apple Discussions.

Kj

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