Options -> Configure: HotKeys

Hotkeys are short key combinations that trigger a command. They're just an alternative to using the mouse, but many people find them faster and less distracting. For example, Windows uses "F1" to call up Help for the program you're currently using, and CTRL+ALT+DELETE to summon the task manager in Windows XP onwards.

You can define hotkeys for several of PTFB Pro's main functions, and for manually triggering macros and single-press items. The dedicated "HotKeys" page shown below (Options menu -> Configure... -> HotKeys) is the easiest place to view and change all the hotkeys for PTFB Pro.

Before you get started with your own hotkey definitions, please note the following:

1. In Windows, a hotkey is "global". Only one program can lay claim to a specific key combination at a time. If some other program has already taken your ideal combination, e.g. CTRL+SHIFT+R, for one of its functions, then you won't be able to define that hotkey within PTFB Pro - at least not while the other program is running.
2. Take a little care when choosing a key combination. Try not to pick keys that you - or others who share the same computer - may associate with another function. For example CTRL+P is synonymous with "Print" in many programs. If you define CTRL+P as "Create new Single-Press Item", you'll find that CTRL+P will always do that as long PTFB Pro is running, regardless of what program you're currently using. Don't worry though - if you don't like a hotkey you've created, you can always clear it or disable it.

The hotkeys page is split into two sections. The upper section deals with PTFB Pro's functions. For example, you can define a hotkey to toggle PTFB Pro between enabled and disabled, or to run the currently selected macro. The lower section is dedicated to the macro and single-press items you've created. You can define a separate hot key for each item that triggers it on demand.

To define a hotkey, just double-click the appropriate function or item and then type the key combination into the resulting screen. If the key combination isn't available, it'll be ignored. Once you type a combination that is available, it'll be set automatically. If you want to clear a combination, select it in the appropriate list and hit the adjacent Clear button.

Here are some other points worth noting:

• To temporarily disable a hotkey, just untick it. Ticking the box will re-enable it when you're ready.
• If a hotkey should be enabled but its checkbox is showing an indistinct state (neither ticked nor unticked), try hovering the mouse over it. A tooltip will tell you why PTFB Pro was unable to fully activate the hotkey.
• If a macro or single-press item is disabled, then any hotkey you define for it will not be active until you re-enable the item itself
• You can also define hotkeys for macros and single-presses from within their property screens (Edit -> Triggers page)