I've run into an instance using this great new feature (Append to Each Line in Selection) in release 1.1b3 where I think we can improve usability. I'll do my best to explain it, but it will be easier to understand by referring to the attached image (sorry). Also. I may be missing something obvious, as I'm a "switcher" with deeply embedded Windows keyboard navigation habits. I'm currently attending rehab for this condition : )
Here goes:
+ I'm in a 27 line text file + Lines 1-21 have data + Lines 22-27 are blank + I've just finished Appending to Each Line in a Selection (Option/Alt + Cmd + A) which covers lines 18-21 + Line 18-21 are indented a couple of columns + My cursor no sits at the end of line 18
From here I would like to put my cursor to the beginning of line 22 WITHOUT using my mouse.
Having search through the GUI and played with all possible key strokes (I think), two options arise...
OPTION 1: Option/Alt + Arrow Down
This takes me to the same column of line 21, from where I can do another "Arrow Down" and then a Ctrl + Arrow Left" to arrive at my destination (Column 1 of line 22). This option requires a total of 5 keystrokes. Entirely too many to be optimally usable
OPTION 2: Go to Line (Cmd + L)
This option require also require 5 keystrokes (4 if the target line number is a single digit, 6 if triple)
One might also try Option or Control + Page Down, which takes you to the bottom of the document (line 27), but then I have to make my way back up to line 22 (many keystrokes).
Assuming I have not missed anything painfully obvious. I'm wondering if we can add such functionality to the Navigation menu. Basically "Go to first column of the next blank line." Possibly map this to "Ctrl+Option+PageDown/PageUp" if that doesn't conflict.
IT NOW OCCURS TO ME, HAVING REVIEWED THIS, THAT MAYBE (ALSO) HAVING THE CURSOR END UP AT THE END OF THE LAST LINE IN THE SELECTION WHEN EXECUTING AN APPEND TO EACH LINE IN SELECTION MIGHT BE BETTER?
On Jan 27, 2005, at 1:37, Tim Martens wrote:
Assuming I have not missed anything painfully obvious. I'm wondering if we can add such functionality to the Navigation menu. Basically "Go to first column of the next blank line." Possibly map this to "Ctrl+Option+PageDown/PageUp" if that doesn't conflict.
For now, you can add this yourself. Do Automation / Record Macro, then Edit / Find and search for “^$” with the “regular expression” check box clicked. Now Stop Macro Recording, save and set key equivalent to e.g. ctrl-option-page down.
IT NOW OCCURS TO ME, HAVING REVIEWED THIS, THAT MAYBE (ALSO) HAVING THE CURSOR END UP AT THE END OF THE LAST LINE IN THE SELECTION WHEN EXECUTING AN APPEND TO EACH LINE IN SELECTION MIGHT BE BETTER
I generally want to stay at the top -- but I may add 'tab' to bring you down to the last line. I'm still evaluating this.
On Jan 26, 2005, at 6:42 PM, Allan Odgaard wrote:
For now, you can add this yourself. Do Automation / Record Macro, then Edit / Find and search for “^$” with the “regular expression” check box clicked. Now Stop Macro Recording, save and set key equivalent to e.g. ctrl-option-page down.
Thanks Allen, that works perfectly.
I generally want to stay at the top -- but I may add 'tab' to bring you down to the last line. I'm still evaluating this.
Yes, adding a tab would be elegant.
On Jan 26, 2005, at 6:42 PM, Allan Odgaard wrote:
For now, you can add this yourself. Do Automation / Record Macro, then Edit / Find and search for “^$” with the “regular expression” check box clicked. Now Stop Macro Recording, save and set key equivalent to e.g. ctrl-option-page down.
Allan,
Oops. This seems to only work if the cursor is NOT at the end of the line. It woks if the cursor is one "backspace" from the end. How can I fix that?
On Jan 27, 2005, at 8:43, Tim Martens wrote:
For now, you can add this yourself. Do Automation / Record Macro, then Edit / Find and search for “^$” with the “regular expression” check box clicked. Now Stop Macro Recording [...]
[...] This seems to only work if the cursor is NOT at the end of the line. It woks if the cursor is one "backspace" from the end. How can I fix that?
Ah yes -- well, do cmd-arrow left before the search then :)
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Allan Odgaard -
Tim Martens -
Tim Martens