Keyboard shortcuts using number pad don't work without employing a modifier key

Question

Level 1

14 points

Keyboard shortcuts using number pad don't work without employing a modifier key

I can create usable keyboard shortcuts like command+NUMPAD 7, but they don't work if I try to simply use NUMPAD 7. I can see the number appear in the keyboard shortcut field, but it doesn't work.

Is this a limitation, conflict, or am I doing something wrong?

I saw something about dragging a key to the command editor, but am not sure what command editor is being referred to, or how i would drag a key.

This one works

This one does not.

Posted on Mar 24, 2022 12:26 PM

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Answer 1

OldToad

Level 2

391 points

Mar 24, 2022 2:51 PM in response to jonljacobi

jonljacobi wrote:

Well, that's kind of odd. I can and do use Keyboard Maestro

That's true, KM can use a single key for any of its macros. However, it overrides the system when doing that. Apple doesn't want the number keys on the keypad to not be able to enter numbers whereas KM really doesn't care. KM is my most used and relied upon utility.

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Answer 2

jonljacobi Author

Level 1

14 points

Mar 24, 2022 1:18 PM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Well, that's kind of odd. I can and do use Keyboard Maestro but... Why would they let you enter it? If it had come up blank like others, I would've figured it out. As there is another set of number keys, maybe using the keypad should be an option.

BTW, the reason I want one key commands is so that I can operate the DAW while holding an instrument on my lap, etc. Thanks!

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Answer 3

jonljacobi Author

Level 1

14 points

Mar 24, 2022 2:58 PM in response to jonljacobi

Note also that I'm talking about application-specific shortcuts, not universal. If I want to dedicate my keypad to opening and closing various panels, and use the row of number keys to enter numbers, then how does that hurt anyone?

More over, the NUMPAD numeral shows up in the shortcut field which might give one the idea that this is allowed. One way or the other, something is slightly amiss.

BTW, I included images of macOS's shortcuts pane to show the issue. There is nothing wrong with Keyboard Maestro, but if I could stick with the just the OS, that would be preferable.

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Answer 4

Mar 24, 2022 12:41 PM in response to jonljacobi

I don’t think that you can create shortcuts with no modifier key. A 7 in your numeric keypad will just result in typing 7.

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Answer 5

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

118,090 points

Mar 24, 2022 4:06 PM in response to jonljacobi

You can ask Apple to add the feature you want via

http://www.apple.com/feedback

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Answer 6

jonljacobi Author

Level 1

14 points

Mar 24, 2022 1:18 PM in response to jonljacobi

I suppose I could use the control key to the right. That would be doable.

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Answer 7

Mar 24, 2022 1:41 PM in response to jonljacobi

Well, I don’t have Keyboard Maestro, so my previous post could be wrong, as I was thinking only of the keyboard shortcuts one can create in System Preferences->Keyboard->Shortcuts.

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