Alfredo Jahn

Q: How to dismiss a dialog without using the mouse

I remember back in the day, you could use Command + <first letter of button> to select a button other that "OK" on a dialog. For example, in the following dialog I want to select "Delete", without clicking on it with the mouse. I can tab to it, but it takes several tabs to get there. Is there a faster way?

 

Screen Shot 2016-05-27 at 6.55.12 AM.png

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11.5), 8GB RAM, 1TB HD

Posted on May 27, 2016 4:57 AM

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Q: How to dismiss a dialog without using the mouse

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  • by QuickTimeKirk,

    QuickTimeKirk QuickTimeKirk May 27, 2016 5:00 AM in response to Alfredo Jahn
    Level 9 (53,089 points)
    May 27, 2016 5:00 AM in response to Alfredo Jahn

    Use the enter / return key.

  • by Mike Sombrio,

    Mike Sombrio Mike Sombrio May 27, 2016 5:03 AM in response to QuickTimeKirk
    Level 6 (17,201 points)
    Apple Watch
    May 27, 2016 5:03 AM in response to QuickTimeKirk

    In the OP's photo wouldn't enter/return save the document?

  • by Alfredo Jahn,

    Alfredo Jahn Alfredo Jahn May 27, 2016 5:03 AM in response to QuickTimeKirk
    Level 3 (844 points)
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    May 27, 2016 5:03 AM in response to QuickTimeKirk

    QuickTimeKirk wrote:

     

    Use the enter / return key.

    Hu? Enter or Return will select the button that is highlighted, in this example, the "Save" button. I want to select another button, like "Delete" or "Cancel". Not the button that is selected.

     

    Thanks

  • by Barney-15E,

    Barney-15E Barney-15E May 27, 2016 5:20 AM in response to Alfredo Jahn
    Level 8 (49,772 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 27, 2016 5:20 AM in response to Alfredo Jahn

    Esc is usually cancel.

    Cmd+first letter of button sometimes works for the other.

     

    You can also turn on Full Keyboard Access in Keyboard System prefs. That will allow you to tab to all controls. A blue outline indicates the "active" button. Hitting the Space Bar will "click" the active button. Return still activates the Default button.

    When a dialog opens, a button other than the default button will be highlighted.

  • by Mike Sombrio,

    Mike Sombrio Mike Sombrio May 27, 2016 5:40 AM in response to Alfredo Jahn
    Level 6 (17,201 points)
    Apple Watch
    May 27, 2016 5:40 AM in response to Alfredo Jahn

    Command - Delete still works on my keyboard running El Cap

    apple-aluminum-keyboard.jpg

     

    Mac keyboard shortcuts - Apple Support

  • by Luis Sequeira1,

    Luis Sequeira1 Luis Sequeira1 May 27, 2016 5:30 AM in response to Alfredo Jahn
    Level 6 (11,909 points)
    May 27, 2016 5:30 AM in response to Alfredo Jahn

    Barney already gave you a very comprehensive answer.

    I would just like to add that Command-delete works for the "Don't Save" button, in Yosemite and El Capitan at least.

    Your screenshot shows TexTEdit on an earlier OS, even though you posted the question in the EC forum. Command-D probably works for Delete, but I don't have an older system to test.

  • by Lexiepex,

    Lexiepex Lexiepex May 27, 2016 5:34 AM in response to Alfredo Jahn
    Level 6 (10,477 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 27, 2016 5:34 AM in response to Alfredo Jahn

    CMD+D works here.

    10.11.5

    added:

    - you have 10.11.5 in your profile, as Lluis says, you have another OS it seems

    - I have not changed anything in SystemPreferences

  • by Mike Sombrio,

    Mike Sombrio Mike Sombrio May 27, 2016 5:39 AM in response to Lexiepex
    Level 6 (17,201 points)
    Apple Watch
    May 27, 2016 5:39 AM in response to Lexiepex

    Command - D does nothing on my iMac running 10.11.5, wonder why? Like I said Command-Delete works though.

  • by Lexiepex,

    Lexiepex Lexiepex May 27, 2016 6:05 AM in response to Mike Sombrio
    Level 6 (10,477 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 27, 2016 6:05 AM in response to Mike Sombrio

    Hello Mike, strange. I have never ever changed anything in the Keyboard settings (MBP). and it works as always...

    Lex

  • by Alfredo Jahn,

    Alfredo Jahn Alfredo Jahn May 27, 2016 6:16 AM in response to Barney-15E
    Level 3 (844 points)
    Desktops
    May 27, 2016 6:16 AM in response to Barney-15E

    Barney-15E wrote:

     

    Esc is usually cancel.

    Cmd+first letter of button sometimes works for the other.

     

    You can also turn on Full Keyboard Access in Keyboard System prefs. That will allow you to tab to all controls. A blue outline indicates the "active" button. Hitting the Space Bar will "click" the active button. Return still activates the Default button.

    When a dialog opens, a button other than the default button will be highlighted.

    I have enabled full keyboard access, so I can tab to each button, but like I said, sometimes it takes several tabs to get to the button I want. I am using the stock small wireless keyboard (and the laptop keyboard on my macbook). I have used Esc to cancel, but in this example, Cancel just puts you back in the editor. I remember the you used to be able to use Cmd + first letter, but maybe that only worked on full keyboards (haven't had one of those in years).

     

    So it looks like tabbing is the only way at this point. I was hoping I could go directly to the key and select it with a single multi-keystroke like in the old day. Oh well...

     

    Thanks

  • by Barney-15E,

    Barney-15E Barney-15E May 27, 2016 6:18 AM in response to Mike Sombrio
    Level 8 (49,772 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 27, 2016 6:18 AM in response to Mike Sombrio

    Mike Sombrio wrote:

     

    Command - D does nothing on my iMac running 10.11.5, wonder why? Like I said Command-Delete works though.

    I think this is a recent (Yosemite) change. I didn't remember that it is sometimes cmd-delete instead of cmd-d, in this case.

    I pretty much use Full Keyboard access and I was just pulling that all out of the memory hole instead of trying it out like I should have.

  • by Alfredo Jahn,

    Alfredo Jahn Alfredo Jahn May 27, 2016 6:20 AM in response to Mike Sombrio
    Level 3 (844 points)
    Desktops
    May 27, 2016 6:20 AM in response to Mike Sombrio

    Mike Sombrio wrote:

     

    Command - D does nothing on my iMac running 10.11.5, wonder why? Like I said Command-Delete works though.

    How about that! You are right, Cmd - Delete works! (for the "Delete" button).  I also tried bringing up TextEdit, and at the start it asks if you want a New Document. I tried hitting Cmd - N and it worked, took the "New Document" option! How about that... Maybe Cmd D is mapped to something else...

     

    I don't mind using the mouse, but keyboard shortcuts are nice.

     

    Thanks

  • by Alfredo Jahn,

    Alfredo Jahn Alfredo Jahn May 27, 2016 6:23 AM in response to Barney-15E
    Level 3 (844 points)
    Desktops
    May 27, 2016 6:23 AM in response to Barney-15E

    Barney-15E wrote:

     

    Mike Sombrio wrote:

     

    Command - D does nothing on my iMac running 10.11.5, wonder why? Like I said Command-Delete works though.

    I think this is a recent (Yosemite) change.

    I've tried on my Mavericks macbook, and Cmd D doesn't work there either.

  • by Barney-15E,

    Barney-15E Barney-15E May 27, 2016 6:23 AM in response to Alfredo Jahn
    Level 8 (49,772 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 27, 2016 6:23 AM in response to Alfredo Jahn

    I don't mind using the mouse, but keyboard shortcuts are nice.

    You should give Full Keyboard Access a try, then. I'm not sure it is as fluid as the shortcuts, but it is obvious what you are going to get.

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