One Key

[focaccio]

Is there a simple way to program a key (or key combination) to perform a function within an application?

What I want to do is hit a key (or key combo) to execute a sort in open office. Currently I have to navigate the mouse pointer to Data, click, then select Sort.

Thanks,
Greg

[Hellhammer]

Are you sure that there is no shortcut for that function? Most shortcuts can usually be found from Menu Bar and in the Help section.

[Jolly Jimmy]

If there isn't one already, you can set a shortcut to any menu bar item of any app in System Preferences > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts.

[focaccio]

Thanks for the responses.

I see key combo shortcuts for many open office functions but not sort. Even if there was one, I want to learn how to assign application functions to keys or key combos.

I tried the keyboard shortcuts in system preferences. That looked promising, but I could not get it to work. For Menu Title I need to give it the exact name of a Menu Command? What is it a Menu title or a Menu Command? I put "Sort" and assigned it to a key...but no luck.

Is automator good for assigning application functions to keys or key combos? It seems like overkill for what I want to do.

Thanks

[focaccio]

I found the answer in open office documentation here: http://www.odfauthors.org/openoffice...press-pdf/view
search for "customizing keyboard shortcuts"...basically just go to Tools->Customize and it is self explanatory from there.

I still wonder about automator though and why keyboard shortcuts in sys pref didn't work.

[focaccio]

Another "one key" question. How can I assign a key or key combo to get the Network config window in System Preferences to appear?

I tried the keyboard shortcuts in system preferences. I did services, add, application system preferences then menu title network. This did not work.

[Jolly Jimmy]

It's "Application Shortcuts" you need to edit, not "Services".

[focaccio]

OK, I am now able to get the Network config display to appear with a key-combo, but only after System Preferences is already the active application.

How can I assign a key-combo to launch System Preferences? Currently I type: [control-space] sys [enter].

So it has to be a two step process? One key-combo for the app and another key-combo for the app function?

Thanks,
Greg

[Jolly Jimmy]

Keyboard shorcuts like this only work when the app is open obviously. I use Spark to launch apps using shortcuts.

[focaccio]

I'm not a paid spokesman for Quicksilver, found free of charge here, but it is the exact solution I needed. Automator probably does the same thing (and to be fair I have not tried it yet), but with Quicksilver (very intuitive) I was able to assign a hotkey to launch the Network Preferences panel in no-time.

Thanks!

[jt6572]

Originally Posted by Jolly Jimmy

It's "Application Shortcuts" you need to edit, not "Services".

omg you are a legend! thank you so much for that; the tip i got from another forum said to edit it in services...