Want to know a Chromebook Secret? Keyboard Shortcut Overlay
02/11/2014
There is much more to the “simple” Chromebook keyboard layout than first meets the eye.
In the last post of ITC Chronicles I went over some of the basics about the Chromebook keyboard and mentioned a few of the not so obvious shortcuts such as taking a screenshot, zooming, and mirroring the screen to an external display (projector).
In this post I share a secret that can assist you with remembering all of those difficult to remember keyboard combinations on a Chromebook.
Ironically, the secret to learning more about keyboard shortcut combinations is another keyboard shortcut combination.
Ironically, the secret to learning more about keyboard shortcut combinations is another keyboard shortcut combination.
ctrl + alt + ?
In the picture below you see the virtual keyboard overlay that pops up on the screen when you press the ctrl, alt, and ? keys together.
When you press ctrl + alt + ? (all three keys together) on a Chromebook you get a very handy virtual keyboard overlay on the screen. This can be used as a reference guide for all of those keyboard shortcuts that are difficult to remember. Think of it as an always available reference sheet for looking up Chromebook keyboard shortcuts.
Note: You can click on the images to enlarge, after viewing press the Back arrow in your browser to return to this blog.
To see the different overlay maps available you will need to hold down the control (ctrl), alt, shift, or search keys when you use this virtual keyboard display to get the corresponding keyboard modifier map. The ctrl, alt, shift, and search are called modifier keys because when you press and hold them in combination with another key it “modifies” the keyboard behavior.
To see the different overlay maps available you will need to hold down the control (ctrl), alt, shift, or search keys when you use this virtual keyboard display to get the corresponding keyboard modifier map. The ctrl, alt, shift, and search are called modifier keys because when you press and hold them in combination with another key it “modifies” the keyboard behavior.
By holding down a particular key (or key combination) you will see what the “modifier(s)” will do. Displaying the keyboard modifier(s) only works when the virtual keyboard overlay is invoked (remember the overlay is accessed by pressing ctrl + alt + ?). To actually use the keyboard combinations you must first exit the virtual keyboard overlay by pressing the escape (esc) key or pressing the ctrl + alt keys at the same time. Once the keyboard overlay disappears you can then use the keyboard shortcut for the desired effect.
Using the ctrl key modifier:
The first example is for the ctrl keyboard modifier, see the picture below of the ctrl overlay. Notice how the ctrl key (located in the lower left corner of the virtual keyboard) is highlighted in light blue. This virtual overlay shows what this modifier key does when you hold down the ctrl key and use it in combination with another key. The ctrl modifier examples may be one you are already familiar with from using a PC or Mac. Many already know about ctrl + Z (Undo), ctrl + C (Copy). ctrl + X (Cut), ctrl + V (Paste) – But now with the overlay you can easily see the other modifiers when pressing and holding down the ctrl key.
An example that is not obvious is taking a screenshot. If you press and hold the ctrl key and at the same time you press the “Switch Window” key on the top row (6th key over from the left) you will take a screenshot. In the picture below you also see that the key immediately to the left will “mirror” the screen when used in combination with the ctrl key. Pretty handy!
Using the alt key modifier:
In the next example you will see the key modifiers for when you hold down the alt key and use it in combination with other keys. See how the alt key is highlighted in pink this time.
Using the shift key modifier:
Next is the shift key overlay used in combination with other keys.
But wait there is more, three keys together:
Next is the combination of using both ctrl and alt keys used in combination with other keys.
Next up is the combination of both ctrl and shift keys used in combination with others.
Next is the combination of both shift and alt keys used in combination with others.
Function Keys Are There!
Finally, for old timers like me that sadly miss the function keys (F1 – F12) you can use the search key modifier to bring back some of the old time function key support.
Holding down the search key and the number 1 key at the same time is the same as pressing F1 on a traditional keyboard, search and number 2 key for F2, etc... I think of the search key modifier as kind of like the Fn key on a traditional laptop as holding down search and a number key will be converted to the appropriate Function key.
Viewing these keyboard modifiers only works when the virtual keyboard overlay is displayed (remember it is accessed by pressing ctrl + alt + ?). Remember this overlay is interactive so you can experiment by holding down different modifier keys (ctrl, alt, shift, and search) to view the different combinations.
To actually use the references keyboard combinations you must first exit the virtual keyboard overlay by pressing the escape (esc) key or pressing ctrl + alt together, you can then use the keyboard shortcuts selected for the desired effect.
So, there you have it.
The virtual keyboard overlay is there just in case you need to refresh your memory about the many different keyboard shortcuts available to you while using ChromeOS on a Chromebook.
Give it a try and let me know what you think.
In an upcoming post I will discuss the touchscreen and trackpad on the Acer C720P Chromebook.
Stay tuned for more.
Keep on Learning,
Tom Grissom, Ph.D.
Twitter: @tomgrissom
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