Shortcut key for Save and New

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May 19th, 2009, 02:58 AM
dee-u

Shortcut key for Save and New

If CTRL + S is for Save then what would be best for Save and New?

TIA
May 19th, 2009, 09:29 AM
FunkyDexter

Re: Shortcut key for Save and New

We use ctrl + S for save and ctrl + N for New. Most of our forms show the newly entered record when saving but if a form is geared towards entering a batch of records then saving a new record will automatically leave the user in New Mode, all cleared down and ready to accept the next record. If a form isn't geared towards batch entry then we'd expect the user to press ctrl + S followed by ctrl + N.
May 26th, 2009, 08:52 PM
dee-u

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Re: Shortcut key for Save and New

I actually have the following toolstrip options (Save and Close, Save and New and Cancel). I have used CTRL + S in the Save and Close, and Escape for the Cancel. I am
not sure what to use on the Save and New. Anyone who has some recommendations?
May 27th, 2009, 02:50 AM
FunkyDexter

Re: Shortcut key for Save and New

I think in your case I'd go for ctrl + N. I think that'd probably be instinctive enough. Or how about changing 'Save And New' to just 'New' but pop up a message box offering to save if the user has uncommitted changes?
May 27th, 2009, 03:22 AM
dee-u

Re: Shortcut key for Save and New

I have considered CTRL + N but somehow it is more for New instead of Save and New. I may CTRL + S + N if it is even possible. 'Save And New' is now common so I am not inclined to change it for now.
May 27th, 2009, 06:22 AM
Hack

Re: Shortcut key for Save and New

How about CTRL+Shift+N or CTRL+Shift+S?
May 27th, 2009, 07:46 AM
dee-u

Re: Shortcut key for Save and New

Thanks Hack, I am also considering those options although I would have wanted something that is already prevalently used with 'Save and New' since MS also uses this (Outlook) but I cannot find any shortcut key for it, only Alt + E for the E in the Menu.
May 27th, 2009, 12:55 PM
FunkyDexter

Re: Shortcut key for Save and New

Quote:

it is more for New instead of Save and New

Do both options ever appear on the same form? If not I think I'd still go with ctrl + N but if they do it wouldn't work.

Also, what does New without a save mean? Could you maybe rename that to 'Clear' or something similar (clicking New without saving might just mean clearing the displayed data ready for new input, for example)? Obviously not an option if your users are already used to New.

edit> I think the Alt + S + N could be made to work although it's not directly supported. You'd have to monitor the key up and down events to record which keys were currently depressed. It's got the potential to get problematic but it's probably do-able with a bit of crowbarring. As a user, though, I'm not sure I'd thank you for the digital contortions you'd be making me go through. I find the successful key combos can usually be carried out with one hand
May 27th, 2009, 01:15 PM
Hack

Re: Shortcut key for Save and New

Quote:

Originally Posted by dee-u

Thanks Hack, I am also considering those options although I would have wanted something that is already prevalently used with 'Save and New' since MS also uses this (Outlook) but I cannot find any shortcut key for it, only Alt + E for the E in the Menu.

I'm not surprised that you aren't finding anything that is currently using a keycode combo for this as I've never heard of, not have I ever seen, a menu option for "Save And New" as a single menu item.
May 28th, 2009, 03:05 AM
dee-u

Re: Shortcut key for Save and New

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunkyDexter

Do both options ever appear on the same form? If not I think I'd still go with ctrl + N but if they do it wouldn't work.

Also, what does New without a save mean? Could you maybe rename that to 'Clear' or something similar (clicking New without saving might just mean clearing the displayed data ready for new input, for example)? Obviously not an option if your users are already used to New.

edit> I think the Alt + S + N could be made to work although it's not directly supported. You'd have to monitor the key up and down events to record which keys were currently depressed. It's got the potential to get problematic but it's probably do-able with a bit of crowbarring. As a user, though, I'm not sure I'd thank you for the digital contortions you'd be making me go through. I find the successful key combos can usually be carried out with one hand

In the main form there is the usual New, Edit, Delete and triggering New would open another form which has the options I posted. Save and Close would just save the record and close the form. Save and New would save the record but will ready the form for another entry of record. The Cancel will just close the form.

Thanks for mentioning that S + N would be a little difficult to press at the same time with just one hand, I think I will eliminate this option because of that.
May 28th, 2009, 03:07 AM
dee-u

Re: Shortcut key for Save and New

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hack

I'm not surprised that you aren't finding anything that is currently using a keycode combo for this as I've never heard of, not have I ever seen, a menu option for "Save And New" as a single menu item.

Save and New is in Outlook but as you said it is not a single menu item.
May 28th, 2009, 04:09 AM
oceanebelle

Re: Shortcut key for Save and New

you could do CTRL+E so that it can be inline with CTRL+S if in the menu strip the short cut is S?
May 28th, 2009, 04:38 AM
FunkyDexter

Re: Shortcut key for Save and New

To be honest, if you're really stuck you can just pick any arbitrary shortcut. Seriously, why does Save All have a shortcut of 'l'? The only answer is 'because we couln't think of anything else'.