Using the Keyboard in Diagrams

Keyboard Options for All Diagrams

The keyboard can be used extensively within diagrams to make usage even simpler for users with restricted motor skills.

To enable the selection of diagram elements using the keyboard, the Diagram Content navigation and selection area must be shown in the View tab.

The area appears to the left in the diagram and contains the Nodes and Edges tabs with the corresponding trees of all elements that can be selected. Like the commands for selecting, creating, connecting, moving and changing diagram contents, the tabs can be called using keyboard commands.

Generally, you can use the keyboard to call the same functions as you can call with the mouse. For example, edges can only be reassigned if handles appear when you select them.

Note

Selection in the Diagram Content area is not identical to selection in the diagram. The selection of tree nodes, indicated by the change in color, causes the corresponding elements to be highlighted in blue in the diagram and enables their selection or deselection, which is indicated exclusively by the activated or deactivated check box.

Below, "selection" refers to selection in the area being described (Diagram Content or the diagram). Selection in the other area is mentioned explicitly.

Keys in the Diagram Content Area

Arrow Keys

Note

Names of nodes with sub levels are shown in bold in the Diagram Content.

[Crsr Up]/[Crsr Down]:

Moves the mouse pointer position and the selection of the node last selected to the next higher/lower node which is visible.
[Crsr Up]/[Crsr Down] with [Shift] key pressed:

Expands or collapses the selection.
[Crsr Right]:

If a closed sublevel exists on the node last selected, then this is opened and the mouse pointer position and selection move to the first node in the sublevel. Otherwise, nothing happens.

The [Ctrl] and [Shift] keys are ignored.
[Crsr Left]:

If the node last selected has a sublevel open, this will close and the mouse pointer position and selection move to this node. Otherwise, the mouse pointer position and selection move to the next highest (expandable) supernode.

The [Ctrl] and [Shift] keys are ignored.

Shortcut Keys

[Ctrl]+[G]:

Shows the Nodes tab and selects the node that has the primary selection in the diagram.
[Ctrl]+[K]:

Shows the Edges tab and selects the edge that has the primary selection in the diagram.
[Ctrl]+[W]:

Sets the focus on the diagram. If precisely one element is selected in the diagram, this receives the focus.
[Space]:

Switches the check boxes of the selected tree nodes and, by doing so, the selection of the corresponding diagram elements.
[Ctrl]/[Space]:

Activates the check boxes of the selected tree nodes and deactivates all of the other check boxes. The corresponding diagram elements are selected and all other elements are deselected.
[Shift]/[Space]:

Sets the selected tree node as the primary selection in the diagram. If the check box of the selected tree node was deactivated, it is activated.

Ignored in the case of multiple selection.
[Ctrl]+[N]*:

Offers a selection of elements that can be created in accordance with the selection made.

If two nodes are selected, all edges between the two nodes as permitted by the configuration are offered for selection.

In the case of no selection, nothing happens.
[Ctrl]+[Shift]+[N]*:

Offers all recursive edges as permitted by the configuration if a node is selected.

In the case of no selection, nothing happens.
[Shift]+[M]*:

Brings to elements selected on the active tab to the center of the diagram window. If necessary, the diagram section is decreased in size to do this.
[Ctrl]+[Shift]+[F]*:

Shows the search field in the Design ribbon and sets the focus on it.

[Esc] resets the focus.

*These key combinations are generally valid in diagrams.

Keys in Diagrams with Shown Diagram Content Area

Shortcut Keys

[Ctrl]+[G]:

Shows the Nodes tab and selects the node that has the primary selection in the diagram.
[Ctrl]+[K]:

Shows the Edges tab and selects the edge that has the primary selection in the diagram.
[Ctrl]+[W]:

Shows, for a primary selection, the tab with the diagram element that has the primary selection, and selects it. Otherwise, the focus is set on the currently shown tab and the first element is selected.

Keys in Diagrams

Arrow Keys

Arrow key without selection or with selected edges:

Moves the diagram in the diagram window.
Arrow key with selected nodes:

Moves the selected nodes in the diagram.
[Crsr Up]/[Crsr Right] with [Shift] key pressed with selected node that can be enlarged:

Enlarges the node around its center point.
[Crsr Down]/[Crsr Left] with [Shift] key pressed with selected node which can be decreased:

Decreases the node around its center point.

In other cases, the [Ctrl] and [Shift] keys are ignored.

Shortcut Keys

[Ctrl]+[N]*:

Offers a selection of elements that can be created in accordance with the selection made.

If two nodes are selected, all edges between the two nodes as permitted by the configuration are offered for selection.

In the case of no selection, nothing happens.
[Ctrl]+[Shift]+[N]*:

Offers all recursive edges as permitted by the configuration if a node is selected.

In the case of no selection, nothing happens.
[Ctrl]+[T] for selected node:

Creates an edge to an existing or new node.

If a node is selected, keyboard mode is activated, so the mouse cannot be used. The creation of an edge to an existing or new node is enabled.

The procedure is largely like that when working with the mouse. You use the arrow buttons for selection and positioning and then press [Enter].

In the case of no selection, nothing happens.
How to proceed:
1. Select the source node for the edge.
2. Press [Ctrl]+[W] to set the focus on the diagram.
3. Press [Ctrl]+[T] to switch to keyboard mode.
4. Use the arrow buttons to select the edge type in the carousel of the selected node, and confirm with [Enter].
5. Use the arrow buttons to navigate to an existing node or to a point in the diagram where the new node should be created. The mouse pointer indicates whether you can create the selected edge for an existing node (cross) or create a new node (mouse pointer). The mouse pointer shows if the selected edge is not permissible for an existing diagram element.
6. Press [Enter] to create the edge to an existing, permitted node. If you choose to create a new node, you can select from the permitted element types. Use the arrow keys to select the element type and confirm with [Enter].
You can cancel the selection with [Esc].
[Ctrl]+[U] for selected node (move mode):

Drags a selected node in order to move it or drags e.g. a compartment to move or copy it.

If a node is selected, keyboard mode is activated, so the mouse cannot be used. The movement of the node is enabled.

The procedure is largely like that when working with the mouse. You use the arrow keys for positioning and then press [Enter] to make an assignment.

In the case of no selection, nothing happens.
How to proceed:
1. Select the node.
2. Press [Ctrl]+[W] to set the focus on the diagram.
3. Press [Ctrl]+[U] to switch to keyboard mode.
4. Use the arrow keys to position the node. The mouse pointer indicates whether the position is permitted or not . (To copy e.g. a compartment, press the [Ctrl] key at the same time when positioning. The mouse pointer then also displays a plus .)
5. Press [Enter] to finish moving by dragging.
You can cancel the selection with [Esc].
[Ctrl]+[U] for selected edge:

Reassigns a selected edge.

If an edge is selected, keyboard mode is activated, so the mouse cannot be used. The reassignment of an edge to another node is enabled.

The procedure is largely like that when working with the mouse. You use the arrow keys for positioning and then press [Enter] to make an assignment.

In the case of no selection, nothing happens.
How to proceed:
1. Select the edge.
2. Press [Ctrl]+[W] to set the focus on the diagram.
3. Press [Ctrl]+[U] to switch to keyboard mode.
4. Press [Tab] to navigate between the two square handles of the edge.
5. Use the arrow keys to navigate to an existing node to which you want to reassign the edge. The mouse pointer indicates whether you can create the selected edge for an existing node or not .
6. Press [Enter] to create the edge to the node.
You can cancel the selection with [Esc].
[Tab] for selected edge (tab keyboard mode):

Moves a rectangular edge or enables the positioning and creating of handles of a polygonal line edge.

If an edge is selected, keyboard mode is activated, so the mouse cannot be used. The movement of rectangular edges or the positioning, creation or deletion of handles of a polygonal line edge is enabled.

The procedure is largely like that when working with the mouse. You use the arrow buttons for positioning and press [Esc] to accept the change.

The display options described in the "Modifying how Relationships are Displayed" help topic are available for polygonal line edges.

In the case of no selection, nothing happens.
How to proceed:
1. Select the edge.
2. Press [Ctrl]+[W] to set the focus on the diagram.
3. Press [Tab] to switch to keyboard mode.
4. Press [Tab] to navigate between the handles of the edge.
5. Use the arrow keys to move rectangular edges or position the active handle of a polygonal line. Adjacent segments receive new handles here. You can remove handles by dragging them to the adjacent node.
6. Use [Esc] to accept the changes and leave keyboard mode.
7. To obtain a rectangular display with edge points, press [Shift]+[Enter].
8. To obtain a rectangular display with a maximum of one edge point, press [Ctrl]+[Enter].
9. To obtain a display as a line, press [Enter].
[Shift]+[M]*:

Brings the selected diagram elements to the center of the diagram window. If necessary, the diagram section is decreased in size to do this.
[Ctrl]+[A]*:

Selects all diagram nodes if no other element is selected in the diagram yet or - if precisely one element is selected in the diagram - selects either all nodes or all edges in the diagram.
[Ctrl]+[Shift]+[A]*:

Selects all nodes and edges in the diagram if no element is selected yet or all nodes and all edges with the same stereotype if elements are selected in the diagram.
[Ctrl]+[Shift]+[F]*:

Shows the search field in the Design ribbon and sets the focus on it.

[Esc] resets the focus.

* These key combinations are generally valid in diagrams. They are mentioned because they were introduced for keyboard usage or because there are similar functions in the Diagram Content area.