Writer Guide
Introduction
You can use OpenOffice.org (OOo) without requiring a pointing device,
such as a mouse or trackball, by using its built-in keyboard shortcuts.
Tasks as varied and complex as docking and un-docking toolbars and
windows, or changing the size or position of objects, can all be
accomplished with only a keyboard.
OOo has a general set of keyboard shortcuts, available in all
components, and a component-specific set directly related to the work
of that component. This appendix lists the the default set for Writer.
For general shortcuts, see Appendix A of the Getting Started guide.
For help with OOo’s keyboard shortcuts, or using OOo with a keyboard
only, search the OOo Help using the “shortcut” or “accessibility”
keywords.
In addition to using the built-in keyboard shortcuts listed in this
Appendix, you can define your own. See Chapter 17 (Customizing
Writer) for instructions.
Note
Some of the shortcut keys may be assigned to your desktop
system. Keys that are assigned to the desktop system are not
available to OOo. Try to assign different keys either for OOo
(described in Chapter 17), or for your desktop system (see your
system’s documentation).
Choosing menu items using the keyboard
Some of the characters shown on the menu bar are underlined. You
can open the menus by pressing the underlined character together
with the Alt key. Once the menu is opened, you can access menu items
by pressing the underlined character key.
Using shortcut keys in dialogs
When you open any dialog, one element (such as a button, an option
field, an entry in a list box, or a checkbox) is highlighted or indicated
by a dotted box around the field or button name. This element is said
to have the focus on it.
If the focal point is a button, pressing Enter runs it as if you had
clicked it with the mouse. A checkbox is toggled on or off by pressing
the spacebar. If an option field has the focus, use the arrow keys to
change the activated option field in that area. Press the Tab key to go
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