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judyross
Participating Frequently
March 31, 2024
Answered

Keyboard shortcut to select Character Formatting in control panel?

  • March 31, 2024
  • 4 replies
  • 1813 views

Is there a keyboard shortcut (Mac) to select the Character Formatting field in the control panel (or if not, can I add a custom one?).

 

My problem: Every time I want to change fonts, I have to click to highlight the Character Formatting field, then start typing the name of the font I want if it's not in the recent list. I think I remember seeing someone doing just that years ago, but I haven't been able to find it after searching online, or a way to add a custom shortcut. In the name of effeciency, can anyone fill me in?

Correct answer Robert at ID-Tasker
quote

On Mac it's CMD+OPT+7. 

Windows is CTRL+ALT+7.


By @BobLevine

 

It only switches:

 

 

 

Doesn't activate Fonts list...

 

 

BUT - if you use CTRL+ALT+6 - TWICE - show / hide ControlPanel - IT WILL activate Fonts list!!!

 

 

Update - CTRL+6 - Activates Fonts list.

 

Result

Windows

     Mac OS

Toggle focus to/from Control panel

Ctrl+6

Command+6

 

Full list:

https://helpx.adobe.com/uk/indesign/using/default-keyboard-shortcuts.html

 

4 replies

Dave Creamer of IDEAS
Dave Creamer of IDEAS
Community Expert
April 1, 2024

Why not use a character style instead? Then you can apply a keyboard shortcut--however, the downside is that it has to use a numeric keypad number with a modifier key. The upside is that it is a better workflow.

 

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
Robert at ID-Tasker
Robert at ID-Tasker
Brainiac
April 1, 2024

@Dave Creamer of IDEAS

 

OP needs to play with different fonts - before finall formatting is applied...

 

Dave Creamer of IDEAS
Dave Creamer of IDEAS
Community Expert
April 1, 2024

Ahh... Didn't see that in the original post. 

 

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
BobLevine
BobLevine
Community Expert
April 1, 2024

On Mac it's CMD+OPT+7. 

Windows is CTRL+ALT+7.

    Robert at ID-Tasker
    Robert at ID-TaskerCorrect answer
    Brainiac
    April 1, 2024
    quote

    On Mac it's CMD+OPT+7. 

    Windows is CTRL+ALT+7.


    By @BobLevine

     

    It only switches:

     

     

     

    Doesn't activate Fonts list...

     

     

    BUT - if you use CTRL+ALT+6 - TWICE - show / hide ControlPanel - IT WILL activate Fonts list!!!

     

     

    Update - CTRL+6 - Activates Fonts list.

     

    Result

    Windows

         Mac OS

    Toggle focus to/from Control panel

    Ctrl+6

    Command+6

     

    Full list:

    https://helpx.adobe.com/uk/indesign/using/default-keyboard-shortcuts.html

     

      BobLevine
      BobLevine
      Community Expert
      April 1, 2024

      Right. I missed the font formatting part of the post and thought the OP just wanted to toggle to the character formatting.

        James Gifford—NitroPress
        James Gifford—NitroPress
        Brainiac
        March 31, 2024

        I think RT is right, no shortcut for this purpose. However, as wonky as it is, I find that hitting Ctrl-T twice closes then opens the Character pane and leaves the font name field selected. Maybe that can be exploited.

         

        And, I gotta say... this is to change styles, right? You're not using it to apply spot formatting? *eek*

          J
          judyrossAuthor
          Participating Frequently
          March 31, 2024

          I think you figured out a good workaround! (And sorry if it gives you the vapors , but yes, it's to apply spot formatting. When I'm designing something new, I need to be able to try out different fonts that haven't been formatted as styles yet. So I'm opening new fonts/weights, selecting them, and seeing what they look like.) I normally don't have the Character panel open, but I'm going to give it a try. Thanks!!!

          leo.r
          leo.r
          Community Expert
          April 1, 2024

          You should also be able do this with a 3rd-party macro utility such as Keyboard Maestro: https://www.keyboardmaestro.com/main/

           

          Since the Character Formatting button in the Control panel is always at the same spot, with Keyboard Maestro you can record a click that will click the button (and also a click in the Font field, if you need) and assign a shortcut to that click (or the sequence of clicks).

           

          (Keyboard Maestro isn't free and I'm not aware of any free utility that can do this although they may exist.)

          Robert at ID-Tasker
          Robert at ID-Tasker
          Brainiac
          March 31, 2024

          Don't think there is - maybe you are thinking about Ctrl+Enter (PC)?

           

           

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