"Tabbing"

[iEric]

See the attached picture.

How do I move from Reopen to Close without using the mouse? I know in Windows it's tab or a primary key like C, Y, or N.

 

[robbieduncan]

Turn on full keyboard access? I think it's in accessability settings.

The reason you don't have to turn this on in Windows is due to it's DOS based heritage. A mouse was (and maybe still is) optional for Windows, it's never been optional for Mac OS

 

[munkle]

Check out the settings under System Preferences/Keyboard & Mouse.

I think it's tab to move between options and spacebar to select.

 

[dcv]

Just out of interest, how do you get into System Preferences without using the mouse? i.e. how do you invoke the main Apple menu from the keyboard?

 

[munkle]

Just out of interest, how do you get into System Preferences without using the mouse?

I would just use Spotlight (or Quicksilver)

i.e. how do you invoke the main Apple menu from the keyboard?

I think the default shortcut is ctrl-F2. You can of course change this under System Preferences/Keyboard & Mouse/Keyboard Shortcuts

 

[dcv]

I would just use Spotlight (or Quicksilver)

I think the default shortcut is ctrl-F2. You can of course change this under System Preferences/Keyboard & Mouse/Keyboard Shortcuts

Ahhh of course... Ctrl-F2... that *obvious* key combo

Cheers for the info!

The reason i asked, and why i'm interested in this thread, is because i thought i had a faulty mouse when i got my iMac recently... so ran the registration process by tabbing through fields and using spacebar to select options/click buttons etc... managed to click on to Software Update because the mouse was conveniently stuck in the top left (so had i known about this full keyboard access thing or whatever i would have gone in to system prefs)... anyway... when Software Update loaded, i couldnt figure out how to jump to the dialog to click Agree. Ended up plugging my graphics tablet in to continue!

Anyway... as it turned out, i'm a complete muppet! There was nothing wrong with the mouse; it just doesn't like my desk surface!!! In my defence, I have never owned an optical mouse before since i've previously only had laptops. D'oh. Classic!

 

[siren77]

Check out the settings under System Preferences/Keyboard & Mouse.

I think it's tab to move between options and spacebar to select.

I've been looking for this tip forever! Thanks a lot

 

[Mindflux]

Also spacebar is what will activate the highlighted button, not enter/return like you would think.