thechart/docs/KEYBOARD_SHORTCUTS.md

Keyboard Shortcuts

TheChart application supports comprehensive keyboard shortcuts for improved productivity and efficient navigation.

File Operations

• Ctrl+S: Save/Add new entry - Saves the current entry data to the database
• Ctrl+Q: Quit application - Exits the application (with confirmation dialog)
• Ctrl+E: Export data - Opens the export dialog window

Data Management

• Ctrl+N: Clear entries - Clears all input fields to start a new entry
• Ctrl+R or F5: Refresh data - Reloads data from the CSV file and updates the display

Window Management

• Ctrl+M: Manage medicines - Opens the medicine management window
• Ctrl+P: Manage pathologies - Opens the pathology management window

Table Operations

• Delete: Delete selected entry - Deletes the currently selected entry in the table (with confirmation)
• Escape: Clear selection - Clears the current selection in the table
• Double-click: Edit entry - Opens the edit dialog for the selected entry

Help

• F1: Show keyboard shortcuts help - Displays a dialog with all available keyboard shortcuts

Implementation Details

Menu Integration

All keyboard shortcuts are displayed in the menu bar next to their corresponding menu items for easy reference.

Button Labels

Primary action buttons show their keyboard shortcuts in the button text (e.g., "Add Entry (Ctrl+S)").

Case Sensitivity

• Shortcuts are case-insensitive
• Both Ctrl+S and Ctrl+Shift+S work
• Uppercase and lowercase variants are supported

Focus Requirements

• Keyboard shortcuts work when the main window has focus
• Focus is automatically set to the main window on startup
• Shortcuts work across all tabs and interface elements

Feedback System

• All operations provide feedback through the status bar
• Success and error messages are displayed
• Confirmation dialogs are shown for destructive operations (quit, delete)

Usage Tips

Quick Workflow

1. Ctrl+N - Clear fields for new entry
2. Enter data in the form
3. Ctrl+S - Save the entry
4. F5 - Refresh to see updated data

Navigation

• Use Ctrl+M and Ctrl+P to quickly access management windows
• Use Delete to remove unwanted entries from the table
• Use Escape to clear selections when needed

Getting Help

• Press F1 anytime to see the keyboard shortcuts help dialog
• All shortcuts are also visible in the menu bar
• Button tooltips show additional keyboard shortcut information

Accessibility

• Keyboard shortcuts provide full application functionality without mouse use
• All critical operations have keyboard equivalents
• Shortcuts follow standard application conventions (Ctrl+S for save, Ctrl+Q for quit)
• Help system is easily accessible via F1