Windows Forms Shortcut keys

Wael Sedky 61

In the past I used to have &File to refer to file menu with an underscore below the F. This would allow me to access the menu easily without using the mouse. I setup my menu this way and I have underscores in the places I want, but when I run the app. They are not displayed and I have to click the menu to open it. I didn't have to write any code before. I am using the menustrip object.

David Lowndes 4,716 Reputation points

2023-05-02T23:14:47.34+00:00

If you press Alt+F does it work (and then show the accelerator indicator)?
Viorel 116.8K Reputation points

2023-05-03T05:27:07.6266667+00:00

The keys should be underlined if you press and hold the <Alt> key; then you can press the letter.

To underline the keys permanently, there is an option: go to Windows Settings, Accessibility, Keyboard, select “Underline access key”. This affects all of applications.
Wael Sedky 61 Reputation points

2023-05-04T01:18:01.8233333+00:00

It doesn't. That is the problem. I've always created shortcuts in previous versions of Visual Studio, but in VS2022 I am only able to see the shortcuts and underlined keys while in development. Once I run the software, there are no shortcuts and pressing ALT doesn't do anything.
Wael Sedky 61 Reputation points

2023-05-04T01:18:32.5866667+00:00

In runtime
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Viorel 116.8K Reputation points

2023-05-04T05:43:00.91+00:00

It seems that your form was not active during the test.
Wael Sedky 61 Reputation points

2023-05-05T01:00:20.9166667+00:00

I am not sure what you mean. One screenshot shows the development window where the shortcuts are setup properly, the second screenshot shows run time where it is supposed to work, but it doesn't. Not sure how to fix it.
Jiale Xue - MSFT 44,841 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2023-05-05T08:28:25.0166667+00:00

Hi @Wael Sedky , I am not sure what you mean. I use &new file, after running, I can use ALT to quickly select File, and then use enter to enter and select the key I need. I use .NET Framework 4.8 and VS 2022.
Wael Sedky 61 Reputation points

2023-05-06T02:24:58.43+00:00

I noticed that after compiling in release mode I am able to see the underlines when I press ALT alone. pressing one of the shortcuts like F or file doesn't do anything. May be it is a bug. Not a big deal at this point
Jiale Xue - MSFT 44,841 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2023-05-08T09:06:07.45+00:00

@Wael Sedky So after compiling in release mode now, does that solve your problem?
Wael Sedky 61 Reputation points

2023-05-09T01:13:43.8233333+00:00

No. In release mode I see the underlines, but pressing ALT doesn't take me to them. I still have to use the mouse to click the menu option. I am thinking it may be a focus issue, but not sure how to fix it.

1 answer

Jiale Xue - MSFT 44,841 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2023-05-12T09:06:06.16+00:00

Hi @Wael Sedky ,

After you use ALT+F to open the menu, you only need to press the corresponding letter key to trigger the bound event.

In your example press ALT+F to open the file menu, then just press N or O or E to trigger the corresponding option.

Running without underlining will have no effect.

Best Regards,

Jiale

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Wael Sedky 61 Reputation points

2023-05-12T23:13:46.9733333+00:00

Hi Jiale

As I mentioned I know how it works. I used the feature in my previous software. I also use shortcuts on almost all the software I use. I prefer it over the mouse, but in this case it doesn't work. I didn't have any problems when I was developing using VS2015

Jiale Xue - MSFT 44,841 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2023-05-15T01:43:21.7266667+00:00

Hi @Wael Sedky , Sorry, I sent out the answer after the test. Have you tried the same problem on other computers? Trying to repair in VS installer? There's also a possibility: Did you open a VS2015 project directly with VS2022, causing some sort of compatibility error? Try to see if it can be reproduced on another computer.

Jiale Xue - MSFT 44,841 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2023-05-18T08:16:06.3333333+00:00

Hi @Wael Sedky , Is there any update?

Wael Sedky 61 Reputation points

2023-05-20T00:31:28.88+00:00

I tried running Help\Update, but no change. I tried making my menu bar with Tab 1, but that didn't make a difference either. I did try to open the project that I previously created with VS2015 and it works fine even within VS2022. There must be some option that I need to enable on the project.

Jiale Xue - MSFT 44,841 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2023-05-26T09:28:34.4933333+00:00

Sorry, I can't reproduce your problem.
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Windows Forms Shortcut keys

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