How do I create a shortcut key in SL so that users can simply click the Next (--> arrow on their keyboard instead of having to click the Next button with their mouse?
The only way I can think of is by disabling the yellow accessibility box for all of your items except the next button, then give your users instructions to use the tab key once so the next button is highlighted, and hit enter to proceed.
Take a look at the master slide in the attached file. I created 2 buttons off the stage in the master slide. To these buttons, I added triggers with "key listeners" for the arrow keys. Quick and easy.
If you need custom navigation (like if the next button goes to a particular slide) there's another method you can use to proxy the master slide trigger. That's a little complicated. If your navigation is straight forward, this is the simplest way.
Okay, I've run into a snag with this. I repurposed a SL file for use by our engineers who do face-to-face training. The idea was to create a PPT-like experience where all they have to do is push "Next" -- or in this case, the right arrow key on the keyboard.
The file works fine when I preview it, but when I publish it and run the .exe, the right arrow shortcut doesn't work! It works if you run the html file, but not the .exe. Why?
Looks like there are a few bugs with keys when projects are published to CD. I did look at the file you posted and I experienced the same thing. I saw a post about something similar with the Backspace key and it looks like something's blocking the key down event with projects that are run from the CD exe file.
I may try looking at this a little more to see if I can get it to work with another key.
I did some testing with the arrow keys (specifically the "Right" and "Up" keys), but had no luck. If you intend to distribute the content for web and CD, you might want to use alternative keys for CD publishing (but you can keep the arrow functionality for web, as it doesn't seem to have this problem at all). It looks like it's an issue with specific keys. I did have luck with the "Page Down" key, perhaps you could have the navigation set to "Page Up" and "Page Down" for the CD version?
If you'd like, I can test other keys as well. Just let me know!
Thanks, Christine. I'll talk with my team and figure out what we want to do. Do I need to log a bug for this? It's kind of a workaround situation already/anyway.
No problem, Laura. I'll add the key(s) to the current bug report for the other keys we've found with the same issues.
I may try a bit more testing, just to see what other keys have functionality issues. This way, we know what to expect and what to tackle when we're working on a fix or at least when we're able to find out what's causing the limitations.
Tx, Laura, for the question and Steve, thanks so much for the solution. SO easy! Christine, so great all the testing you've done. I'll be watching to see when this is resolved for CD publishing, but in the meantime it's good to know it works for the Web, and that there are some CD workarounds.
Hello, I need to create a shortcut key for the player and was thankful to have found this discussion. However, I am unable to access/open/download Steve's shortcuts.story file. What do I need to do to obtain this file? Thanks for the assistance.
Thank you both for your quick response! When I tried to download the file yesterday, I saw the code (but the file would not download). Leslie re-attaching the file did the trick for me. Thanks again for the quick response to my cry for help!!
16 Replies
Hey Laura!
The only way I can think of is by disabling the yellow accessibility box for all of your items except the next button, then give your users instructions to use the tab key once so the next button is highlighted, and hit enter to proceed.
More robust keyboard commands is a popular feature request
Hi, Laura!
Take a look at the master slide in the attached file. I created 2 buttons off the stage in the master slide. To these buttons, I added triggers with "key listeners" for the arrow keys. Quick and easy.
If you need custom navigation (like if the next button goes to a particular slide) there's another method you can use to proxy the master slide trigger. That's a little complicated. If your navigation is straight forward, this is the simplest way.
Merry Christmas, me!
Thanks Steve, as always, for your rad solutions
Awesome -- thank you!
Okay, I've run into a snag with this. I repurposed a SL file for use by our engineers who do face-to-face training. The idea was to create a PPT-like experience where all they have to do is push "Next" -- or in this case, the right arrow key on the keyboard.
The file works fine when I preview it, but when I publish it and run the .exe, the right arrow shortcut doesn't work! It works if you run the html file, but not the .exe. Why?
Here's the file
Hi Laura,
Looks like there are a few bugs with keys when projects are published to CD. I did look at the file you posted and I experienced the same thing. I saw a post about something similar with the Backspace key and it looks like something's blocking the key down event with projects that are run from the CD exe file.
I may try looking at this a little more to see if I can get it to work with another key.
Just a little update - it does seem to work with the "Page Down" key. I'm going to test a little more with the arrows.
Hi again, Laura!
I did some testing with the arrow keys (specifically the "Right" and "Up" keys), but had no luck. If you intend to distribute the content for web and CD, you might want to use alternative keys for CD publishing (but you can keep the arrow functionality for web, as it doesn't seem to have this problem at all). It looks like it's an issue with specific keys. I did have luck with the "Page Down" key, perhaps you could have the navigation set to "Page Up" and "Page Down" for the CD version?
If you'd like, I can test other keys as well. Just let me know!
Christine
Thanks, Christine. I'll talk with my team and figure out what we want to do. Do I need to log a bug for this? It's kind of a workaround situation already/anyway.
No problem, Laura. I'll add the key(s) to the current bug report for the other keys we've found with the same issues.
I may try a bit more testing, just to see what other keys have functionality issues. This way, we know what to expect and what to tackle when we're working on a fix or at least when we're able to find out what's causing the limitations.
Tx, Laura, for the question and Steve, thanks so much for the solution. SO easy! Christine, so great all the testing you've done. I'll be watching to see when this is resolved for CD publishing, but in the meantime it's good to know it works for the Web, and that there are some CD workarounds.
Hello, I need to create a shortcut key for the player and was thankful to have found this discussion. However, I am unable to access/open/download Steve's shortcuts.story file. What do I need to do to obtain this file? Thanks for the assistance.
Hi Rae Anne,
What happens when you try to download the file?
It works for me Rae Anne. I'll reattach here and hopefully it will work for you :)
Thank you both for your quick response! When I tried to download the file yesterday, I saw the code (but the file would not download). Leslie re-attaching the file did the trick for me. Thanks again for the quick response to my cry for help!!
Great! Glad that worked for you Rae Anne :)
This discussion is closed. You can start a new discussion or contact Articulate Support.