Editing by Keyboard Shortcuts

In element based editing, it is very inconvenient to rely on the mouse when writing your book. In this chapter, we will explain how to minimize the use of your mouse and to write as quickly as possible by using your keyboard only.

This chapter only explains the main shortcuts. The explanations of all the shortcuts can be found in the Help menu in the upper right corner of your Editor or Keyboard Shortcuts.

Shortcut Help Menu

You can use the shortcuts in Windows, Linux, and Mac OS. However, in Mac OS, unless there is a remark otherwise, instead of <Enter>, you need to use <Return> and instead of <Ctrl>, you need to use <Command>.

Adding a Text Element — Ctrl + I

By using the <Ctrl + I> shortcut, you can add a text element. If there is an element selected, it will be added after this element, otherwise, your text element will be added at the end.

In Linux, you need to use the <Alt + I> shortcut.

You need to add by dragging and dropping if you want to add figure, table, or object elements.

Deleting a Text Element — Delete

You can press the <Delete> key to delete the selected element.

Switching from the Normal Mode to the Element Editing Mode — Enter

Press the <Enter> key to switch to the editing mode for the selected element.

Switching from the Element Editing Mode to the Normal Mode — Esc

You can press the <Esc> key to switch from the element editing mode to the normal mode.

If you press the <Esc> key while trying to add elements by dragging and dropping in normal mode or move the existing element to another location, the ongoing task will be canceled.

Saving in Element Editing Mode — Ctrl + S

In element editing mode, press the <Ctrl + S> shortcut to save the changed made and switch to the normal mode.

Changing Element Types in Text Element Editing Mode — Ctrl + /

Place your cursor on the text editor and press the <Ctrl + /> shortcut. Then the context menu where you can select a desirable element type will appear. Using the directional key, select your element type and press the <Enter> key to configure it.

Ctrl + / Shortcut

Speeding Up the Editor Toolbar Tasks in Element Editing Mode — Ctrl + Space

Place your cursor on the element editor and press the <Ctrl + Space> shortcut. Then the context menu where you can perform tasks in the editor toolbar will appear. Using the directional key, select your task and press the <Enter> key to configure it.

In Linux and Mac OS, you will have to use the <Alt + /> shortcut.

Ctrl + Space Shortcut

In addition to text elements, you can use it for your figures and tables.

Making a Selection of an Element in Normal Mode by Using the Directional Key — Up(↑), Down(↓), PageUp, PageDown, Home, End, Ctrl + A

Up: An element above the currently selected element will be selected. If there is no element selected, then the first element showing up on the screen will be selected.
Down: An element below the currently selected element will be selected. If there is no element selected, then the first element showing up on the screen will be selected.
Page Up: After scrolling up as high as the screen height, the last element will be selected. If there is no element selected, then the first element showing up on the screen will be selected.
Page Down: After scrolling down as low as the screen height, the first element will be selected. If there is no element selected, then the first element showing up on the screen will be selected.
Home: The first element will be selected.
End: The last element will be selected.
Ctrl + A: All the elements will be selected.

While holding down the <Shift> key, press the <Up/Down> key to make multiple selections of elements at a time. Also, while pressing the <Shift> key, you can use your mouse to make multiple selections.

Copying and Pasting Elements — Ctrl + C, Ctrl + V

Ctrl + C: Your selected elements will be copied.
Ctrl + V: Your copied elements will be pasted.

You can paste your elements from one editor to another. For instance, after copying your elements in editor A, you can copy them onto editor B.

Changing the Heading Level — Tab, Shift + Tab

Tab: If your selected element is a heading, then the heading level will be lowered to one level below. For instance, if you press the <Tab> key after selecting an element with Heading 1, it will be changed to Heading 2.
Shift + Tab: If your selected element is a heading, then the heading level will be raised to one level above. For instance, if you press the <Shift + Tab> shortcut after selecting an element with a Heading 2, it will be changed to Heading 1.

After selecting multiple elements, you can use this function.

Opening and Closing a Heading — Left(←), Right(→)

Left: Hide all the elements located below the heading.
Right: Unhide all the elements located below the heading.