An application is any program, utility, or other software package that you run in your desktop environment. Applications comprise the following standard user interface components:
A window is a rectangular frame on your screen that displays an application. See Section 3.5 ― Navigating Windows for information about how to navigate windows.
A dialog is a popup window in which you enter information or commands. See Section 3.6.2 ― Essential Keyboard Shortcuts for Navigating Dialogs for information about how to navigate dialogs.
A control is an instrument that you use to operate or guide the user interface. For example, buttons, check boxes, menus, and text boxes are controls. See Section 3.8 ― Navigating Standard Elements and Controls for detailed information about how to navigate the different types of controls that are available.
This section of the manual describes the essential keyboard shortcuts that you can use to start using applications and dialogs.
Since there are many applications that you can use in the GNOME Desktop, this manual does not describe the keyboard shortcuts that you can use to navigate all of the different applications. However, the basic keyboard shortcuts are common to all applications. Access keys also provide an efficient way to navigate an application from the keyboard. An access key is identified by an underlined letter on a menu or control. In some cases, you must press Alt in combination with the access key to perform an action.
The following table lists the essential keyboard shortcuts that you can use to navigate applications.
| Keys | Function |
|---|---|
| F10 | Open the first menu on the application menubar. |
| Alt + access key | Open the menu that is associated with the access key. |
| access keys | Select the menu item that is associated with the access key. |
| left arrow and right arrow | Switch focus between the menus on the menubar. |
| up arrow and down arrow | Move focus into a menu. |
| Esc | Close the open menus and give focus to the control that had focus before the menubar. |
The following table lists the essential keyboard shortcuts that you can use to navigate dialogs.
| Keys | Function |
|---|---|
| Alt+access key | Activate or select a control. |
| Tab | Give focus to the next control. |
| Ctrl+Page Up | If a tab name has focus, move to the next tabbed section of the dialog. |
| Ctrl+Page Down | When a tab name has focus, move to the previous tabbed section of the dialog. |
| Esc | Close the dialog. |
| Return | Perform the default action for the dialog. The default action is usually to apply the changes and close the dialog. |