Keyboard shortcut for Dashboard not working

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Keyboard shortcut for Dashboard not working

Hello all,

Somehow in the last 24 hours I lost the ability to open up the Dashboard using its assigned keyboard shortcut, F4. Dashboard opens normally when I click its icon on the dock, but I really miss being able to press a key to open it. I've checked in System Prefs that under both Mission Control and Keyboard, F4 is supposed to open dashboard. I tried rebooting. I tried restoring the default, which is F12. I tried switching back to my setting, F4. None of this fixed the issue. Other keyboard shortcuts in Mission Control, like ctrl-up arrow to show Mission Control still work.

Thank you for any help.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Jan 28, 2013 8:06 AM

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Answer 1

ekoylo Author

Level 1

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Feb 4, 2013 7:12 AM in response to ekoylo

One week and many log-offs and log-ons later, this problem still persists. I found an imperfect workaround by going to System Prefs > Control Panel and selecting "Show dashboard as a space". Now I can at least bring it up on the keyboard with ctrl-left arrow.

However, this is an imperfect solution. I prefer layering the dashboard over my home screen and I miss the ability to just hit a single key to get it. It's also annoying to have a shortcut specified in System Prefs which the computer ignores for some reason. If anyone knows how to force it to recognize this choice, I'd be much obliged.

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Answer 2

Raj

Level 1

108 points

Apr 21, 2013 11:36 AM in response to ekoylo

It's silly of Apple that even though there are interfaces to change the keyboard shortcut for both Launchpad and Dashboard, that they are ignored. There is, however, a way to work around this:

Use the free KeyRemap4MacBook. When you download it, open its preferences and then search for the word 'Launchpad' and you'll see the option 'Launchpad to Dashboard'. Put a checkmark beside that option and you're done

.

Apple should fix this, so that settings in the System Preferences > Keyboard Shortcuts, or System Preferences > Mission Control are honored.

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Answer 3

Raj

Level 1

108 points

Apr 22, 2013 9:49 PM in response to Raj

Another option is FunctionFlip

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