Keyboard Shortcut Keys And Guidelines In Windows Applications

By definition, a shortcut key(s) is a keyboard equivalent of functionality that is supported adequately elsewhere in the interface. Remember, shortcut assignments may be meaningful only for English speaking users. Keyboard shortcuts have remained pretty much the same since the RP 1213 was originally released, so no major changes have occurred. When defining shortcut keys, the following guidelines are to be observed:

• Assign single keys where possible because these keys are the easiest for the user to perform.
• Make modifier-letter key combinations case insensitive.
• Use Shift+key combinations for actions that extend a key or key combination used without the Shift key.
• Use Ctrl+key combinations for actions that represent a larger scale effect. Use Ctrl+key combinations for access to commands where a letter key is used - for example Ctrl+B for bold. Remember, such assignments may be meaningful only for English speaking users.
• Avoid Alt+key combinations because they may conflict with the standard keyboard access for menus and controls such as Alt+TAB, Alt+ESC and Alt+Space Bar.
• Avoid assigning shortcut keys defined in this document to other operations in a software application.
• Whenever possible, provide a means for the user to change the shortcut key assignments in the software.
• Avoid assigning access keys to OK and Cancel when the Enter key and ESC key, respectively, are assigned to them by default.

COMMONLY USED SHORTCUTS IN MICROSOFT APPLICATIONS DESCRIPTION  shows the most commonly used shortcuts in Microsoft® applications (Word™. Excel™, Visual Studio™, Paintbrush™, etc) applicable to diagnostic application. This is not a comprehensive list. A comprehensive list of application shortcuts and operating system shortcuts can be obtained from the Microsoft website.

Purpose	Type	Icon
Open File/Calibration/Data/Recording	Suggested. MS Word
New File/Calibration/Data/Recording	Suggested. MS Word
Save File/Calibration/Data/Recording	Suggested. MS Word
Save As File/Calibration/Data/Recording	Suggested. MS Word
Close File/Calibration/Data/Recording	Suggested. MS Word
Print	Suggested. MS Word
Program Settings	Suggested. Gears
Active DTCs/Faults	Suggested. Red warning or stop sign.
Inactive DTCs/Faults	Suggested. Yellow warning or caution sign.
MIL Lamp	Mandated (ISO 2575#F.01)
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Lamp	Mandated (ISO 2575#F.27)
Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Lamp	Mandated (ISO 2575#F.21)
High Exhaust System Temperature (HEST) Lamp	Suggested (ISO 2575#F.26)