Keyboard Shortcuts

Complete reference of all keyboard shortcuts in ControlNav.

Global Hotkey

Activate ControlNav

Shortcut Action
Ctrl+Alt+U Open control list for foreground application

Press this hotkey from any application to show the ControlNav window with all controls.

Main Window Navigation

Control List Navigation

Key Action
Up Arrow Select previous control (works even while typing in search box)
Down Arrow Select next control (works even while typing in search box)
Enter Execute default action and close window
Escape Close window without taking action

Search and Filter

Key Action
Type text Filter controls in real-time
Backspace Delete character from search
Ctrl+A Select all text in search box

Tab Navigation

Key Action
Tab Move to next control (Filter box → Checkboxes → Buttons)
Shift+Tab Move to previous control

Action Buttons

Direct Action Shortcuts

Key Action When Focused
Space Activate button When button has focus
Enter Activate button When button has focus

Available Actions:

  • Click - Invoke the selected control
  • Focus - Set keyboard focus to the control
  • Cancel - Close window without action

System Tray

Context Menu

Action Method
Open menu Right-click tray icon
Activate Select from menu
Settings Select from menu
About Select from menu
Exit Select from menu

Dialog Boxes

Settings Dialog

Key Action
Tab Move between controls
Space Toggle checkbox or open dropdown
Up/Down Navigate dropdown items
Enter Save and close (when OK button focused)
Escape Cancel and close

About Dialog

Key Action
Tab Move between controls
Enter Click focused button
Escape Close dialog

Screen Reader Shortcuts

When using JAWS, NVDA, or Narrator, you can use standard screen reader navigation:

JAWS

  • Insert+Down Arrow - Say all from current position
  • Insert+Up Arrow - Read current line
  • Tab - Navigate to next control

NVDA

  • Insert+Down Arrow - Say all
  • Insert+Up Arrow - Read current line
  • NVDA+Space - Read current item

Windows Narrator

  • Caps Lock+Down Arrow - Say all
  • Caps Lock+I - Read current item
  • Tab - Navigate to next control

Tips for Efficient Use

Quick Selection

  1. Press Ctrl+Alt+U to activate ControlNav
  2. Start typing to filter controls (e.g., type "ok" to find OK button)
  3. Press Enter to execute the default action

Navigation Without Leaving Search Box

  1. Keep typing in the search box
  2. Use Up and Down arrows to navigate filtered results
  3. Press Enter when you find the right control

Multiple Word Search

  1. Type multiple words separated by spaces
  2. All words must match (order doesn't matter)
  3. Example: "file open" finds "Open File Dialog"

Customization

Changing the Global Hotkey

Currently, the hotkey is set in the registry:

  1. Open Registry Editor
  2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ControlNav\Settings
  3. Modify shortcutKey value
  4. Restart ControlNav

Note: Future versions will support changing the hotkey in the Settings dialog.

Next Steps