Using Keyboard Shortcuts

This section provides an overview of keyboard shortcuts.

Working in a browser-based environment can often be mouse intensive. However, PeopleSoft applications offer keyboard navigation alternatives to using a mouse. These shortcuts are classified into two categories: hot keys and access keys.

To view a printable list of these shortcuts while online, press Shift+Ctrl+K while on a search or transaction page.

Note: Certain browsers may treat access keys and hot keys differently.

See “Troubleshooting Browser Limitations” on My Oracle Support for specific information about browser differences.

Note: The keyboard shortcuts and hot keys described in this section apply when using classic applications only. They do not apply to fluid applications. If you are using a desktop or laptop computer while accessing a fluid application, these keyboard shortcuts and hot keys will not behave as they do in a classic application.

Hot keys perform immediate actions. When you press one, the designated action occurs. Note that several hot keys perform different functions, depending on the page that you are on, such as a transaction page or a search page.

Note: Certain PeopleSoft hot keys do not work as expected on alternate, non-U.S. keyboard layouts. For example, Alt+', Alt+\, and Alt+/ do not produce the expected results on the AZERTY keyboard. This occurs because some keys on non-U.S. keyboards produce different key codes than the same key on a U.S. keyboard (also known as a QWERTY keyboard).

You can find a solution to this problem in the product documentation for PeopleTools: Global Technology. See PeopleSoft Hot Keys Do Not Function As Expected on a non-U.S. Keyboard

Key or Key Combination

Result

Alt + 1

Saves a page in a transaction.

Moves to the Search or Add button on a search or lookup page.

Moves to the OK button on a secondary page.

Alt + 2

Returns to the search page from a transaction page.

Alt + 3

Views the next row in the list when the button is active.

Alt + 4

Views the previous row in the list when the button is active.

Alt + 5

Accesses the Look Up page that lists the valid values for a field.

Opens the calendar prompt.

Alt + 6

Opens the pop-up window on a page.

Alt + 7

Inserts a row in a grid or scroll area.

Alt + 8

Deletes a row in a grid or scroll area.

Alt + 0

In Expert Entry mode, activates the Refresh button, which validates the data that you enter on a page.

Alt + 0

Views the next set of rows in a grid or scroll area.

Alt+ ,

Views a previous set of rows in a grid or scroll area.

Alt+ /

Finds data in a grid or scroll area.

Alt + ‘

Views all rows of data in a grid, scroll area, or search page results list.

Alt + \

Toggles between the Add a New Value and Find an Existing Value fields on a search page.

Alt + ;

Displays the context menu.

Alt + J

Displays the system information page if it is configured by an administrator to appear.

Ctrl + K

On a search or transaction page, displays a list of keyboard navigation hot keys and access keys.

Ctrl + M

Activates drag mode for the selected object.

Ctrl + Alt + M

Places (drops) an object that was moved in drag mode.

Ctrl+ Alt + P

Opens a mouse over pop-up page for a field (if configured for that field).

Ctrl + Y

Toggles the Main Menu drop-down menu between expand and collapse.

Toggles the Menu pagelet between minimize and maximize.

Ctrl + Tab

Moves the focus through the frame set.

Enter

Activates the OK button, where appropriate.

On a search page, activates the Search button.

On a lookup page, activates the Lookup button.

Esc

Activates the Cancel button, where appropriate.

Closes a mouse over pop-up page.

Access keys move your cursor to a particular place on a page (such as a button or link), to another page in a component, or to another tab in a grid.

Note: Some access keys have multiple actions assigned to them, and their usage depends on the currently active page.

To identify the access key that you use to move to another page tab in a component or to another tab in a grid, look for the underlined letter in the tab name. To access the page, press Alt plus the underlined letter, and then press Enter.

In addition, you can use the following general access keys:

Key or Key Combination

Result

Alt + 9

Accesses page bar elements, such as Help.

Alt + \

Toggles between Update/Display, Include History, and Correct History action modes on the toolbar on a transaction page.

Ctrl + Alt + S

Moves focus to the Skip to Main Content link.

Note: The Tab Over Header Icons option must be enabled. See Defining User Preferences.

Alt + Z

Accesses the menu search field if it is enabled.

Menu Pagelet Access Keys

Navigate between menus by pressing Alt + Z, which moves the focus of your cursor to the menu pagelet. From the menu, press Tab (or Shift + Tab for reverse direction) to navigate through the menu.

This table lists the key or key combinations that you use to navigate the drop-down menu structure and the results of using those keys:

Key or Key Combination

Result

Ctrl + Y

Expands the Main Menu.

Alt + Z

If the search field is configured to appear in the Main Menu, expands the Main Menu and moves the cursor to a search field.

Tab

If the search field is configured to appear in the Main Menu, press Tab to move past the search field and sort icons to access the menu items.

Up Arrow

Varies based on context:

  • In an expanded menu, moves one item upward through a list of folders and content references.

  • When moving through the navigation path, collapses a drop-down menu item.

Down Arrow

Varies based on context:

  • In an expanded menu, moves one item downward through a list of folders and content references.

  • When moving through the navigation path, expands a drop-down menu item.

Right Arrow

Note: This functionality applies only to languages read from left to right.

Varies based on context:

  • In an expanded menu, opens a folder to the right so that subfolders or content references appear.

  • When moving through the navigation path, accesses the next menu item to the right.

Right Arrow

Note: This functionality applies only to languages read from right to left.

Varies based on context:

  • In an expanded menu, closes the current folder and sets the focus on its parent folder.

  • When moving through the navigation path, accesses the next menu item to the right.

Left Arrow

Note: This functionality applies only to languages read from left to right.

Varies based on context:

  • In an expanded menu, closes the current folder and sets the focus on its parent folder.

  • When moving through the navigation path, accesses the next menu item to the left.

Left Arrow

Note: This functionality applies only to languages read from right to left.

Varies based on context:

  • In an expanded menu, opens a folder to the right so that subfolders or content references appear.

  • When moving through the navigation path, accesses the next menu item to the left.

Esc

Closes all open menu items. Collapses all expanded menus.

Most of the typical keyboard shortcuts and hot keys that you might use with a classic application do not function the same way (or at all) within a fluid application. However there are some keyboard shortcuts that do apply to using the NavBar.

See Using the Keyboard with the NavBar.