Cmd-tab versus alt-tab on Windows

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Level 1

103 points

Cmd-tab versus alt-tab on Windows

Hi,

I use cmd-tab a lot for switching between open applications and sometimes I miss the alt-tab on windows. Switching between open windows within the same application, how is that really best done without to many keys involved? My issue is primarily within Lotus Notes when I have a number of open Sametime chat windows. If I jump to the Notes main windows it's hard to find the way back to the chat window, now I use the mouse to right-click on the Notes icon in the Dock to get to the option to chose my chat window, but this is really not an effective way for me.
I'm sitting on a MacBook unibody, is there at all a key-combo to switch between windows, also within the application?

Thanks...

MacBook, iMac G5, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Apr 28, 2009 6:44 AM

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Answer 1

Apr 28, 2009 6:50 AM in response to Mans Langert1

I don't know about Lotus Notes, but within Office apps, you can toggle through the open doc windows using command+~ (ie. command + tilde).

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Answer 2

PT

Level 7

20,894 points

Apr 28, 2009 6:51 AM in response to Mans Langert1

Do you use expose?
If you hit F11 it moves everything off the screen to see the desktop. F9 will show you all open windows at once (tile all windows). But the one you want is switch into the application you want, say Chat, then hit F10. This will quickly show you all the windows open for that application (Tile an application's Window). You can then pick the one you want.
Regards,
Patrick

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Answer 3

gumsie

Level 4

2,185 points

Apr 28, 2009 6:59 AM in response to Mans Langert1

On my Mac, (which I shall assume has a different keyboard layout from yours), I use F10 and the tab and cursor keys to choose.
The tab keys will switch between the apps and the cursor between the windows therein.

You must make sure that Expose is active and set to distinguish the application windows.

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Answer 4

Apr 28, 2009 6:57 AM in response to Mans Langert1

here is a list of keyboard shortcuts
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1343

this may help with what you are trying to do.

Command-` (the Grave accent key--above Tab key on a US English keyboard layout) Cycle through open Finder windows

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Answer 5

Mans Langert1 Author

Level 1

103 points

Apr 28, 2009 7:18 AM in response to Mans Langert1

Wow, you are fast....!
Command-` is suggested on the Apple site for "Cycle through open Finder windows" and also "Activate the next open window in the frontmost application". I've also seen command-~ (tilde) as suggested, but how do I reach these keys? I've tried but it doesn't work, how do I know I'm hitting the correct key? I have a Swedish keyboard layout and I guess most of you don't.... I'm on a MacBook, does this mean I have to use the "fn" key to reach the desired functions?

/Mans

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