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Is it possible in OS X Lion to program the F4 key on the keyboard to activate LaunchPad? I was trying to do it yesterday, but I couldn't get it to work. F4 kept bringing up the Dashboard instead.
iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.7), 21.5-inch, Mid 2010, 3.2GHz
Reuben Feffer wrote:
Is it possible in OS X Lion to program the F4 key on the keyboard to activate LaunchPad? I was trying to do it yesterday, but I couldn't get it to work. F4 kept bringing up the Dashboard instead.
The F4 = Dashboard is a function built-in to the keyboard (mine, at least has a symbol). I have not experimented, but you might want to look at system preferences>mission control and system preferences>keyboard to see if something there will help you.
Barry
The function keys are dual-mode. Picture functions and F-keys. In the default mode, the F-keys use the picture functions. To get an F-key, you must hold down the "fn" key when pressing the function keys.
You can reverse the behavior in the Keyboard System Preferences (Use all F1, F2,...). Then, the opposite is true. F-keys function as F-keys and you must hold down fn to get the picture functions.
Oh right. So the Picture functions are actually permanent and can't be changed? I was always under the impression that you could change the Picture functions to whatever you wanted.
And thanks for pointing out that the Picture functions are separate from the F-key functions. I didn't realise.
I think it is possible with some third-party keyboard remapping program, but in the straight OS, the picture functions are set.
New MacBook Air replaces Dashboard key with Lauchpad key.
I guess Apple will be updating at least Wireless Keyboard with this functionality soon. Hopefully, it will offer this capability via software as well.
Well spotted. Apple have actually:
• Replaced the Expose key (F3) with a Mission Control key
• Replaced the Dashboard key (F4) with a Launchpad key
Like you said, I hope they bring this feature to users with keyboards that pre-date the 20th of July 2011, via a simple software update. Even if the pictures on the keys don't match up, it would be nice to be able to use F3 to invoke Mission Control, and F4 to invoke Launchpad.
Personally it doesnt let me assing it to F4 (got the last generation apple wireless keyboard expose - dashboard). but any other keys it does let me.
Going to System preferences >Keyboard > Keyboard shortcurts, Launchpad & Dock category > Show Launchpad click the right side of its field and hit the key you want to assign.
Personally i chose F5 and works with no problems.
Take a look at this Gigaom article. It shows a program that can remap the keys.
http://gigaom.com/apple/get-around-easier-in-lion-with-keyboard-shortcuts/
@NNe00
Yes, if you have an Apple Wireless Keyboard, the picture keys for F5 and F6 are available for whatever you want. So you could assign Launchpad to F5 and Mission Control to F6, for example.
@Barney-15E
Thanks for recommending that free app called FunctionFlip. Short of Apple issuing a Software Update that solves this problem, FunctionFlip seems like the only way.
I own the latest apple wireless keyboard with the F4 key mapped as a launchpad button. what if I want to revert it to function as a dashboard button? the same as on my mbp 13" (late 2010)
I have the same problem here. I bought my MacBook Air recently and i set the keyboard shortcuts to default and the key has been disabled and the os didn't let me to enable show launchpad.... And i finnaly found the solution : two words - Function Flip (http://kevingessner.com/public/downloads/FunctionFlip/2.2/FunctionFlip.prefPane. zip or if it doesn't work http://kevingessner.com/software/functionflip/ ). After you install it check the box " f4 : launchpad " , hope this helps you.
Set F4 Key To Activate LaunchPad?
