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Join nowthis may be an odd question, but I can't figure out the key command to Select All text in a field. When I'm creating an invoice, I'll need to create a similar line item to the previous one, but I can't just use the CTRL+A keyboard short cut that is used in EVERY SINGLE APPLICATION I've ever used, Quickbooks opens the chart of accounts instead. I am so frustrated by this simple thing that I can't figure out. Please, does anyone have a solution to this?
Some shortcut keys are different on every application, Thefosterhouse.
I'll share with you the keys on how to copy a transaction line in QuickBooks.
A Select All key is unavailable. To copy the invoice transaction line, just highlight the row or line item, and press Ctrl + Alt +Y. Then, press Ctrl + Alt + V to paste it in a blank transaction line.
Let me add the reference about the keyboard shortcuts in QuickBooks Desktop. You'll learn the different shortcuts to do all kinds of things in the software.
If there's anything else that you need to know, please get in touch with us. We're right here to assist you.
To select all the test in a field, click at the beginning of the text and then use Ctrl-End.
This is the stupidest thing. I am a software developer myself and there's something called Standardization. Which basically means that you want to make sure your software is as user-friendly as possible by making sure it includes universal shortcuts that most people are already familiar with, such as Ctrl+P for Print, Ctrl-C for Copy, Ctrl-A for Select All.
It's a matter of common sense and principal. If your software does not comply with this form of standardization, it can deter people from proactively using it as it will require additional, unnecessary relearning which can very easily be avoided by using proper common coding practices.
So, do other applications have their own shortcuts as previously stated? Yes, of course.
Is a software supposed to have some unique shortcuts to replace widely common shortcuts? Absolutely not!
Hi Tico. I see why you're upset. I'm going to pass along some input based on what you said to our developers. They are always happy to hear ways they can better the software so your opinion is appreciated. If there's anything else I can do for you just let me know and I'll be glad to help. Have a good day.
It's extremely upsetting that one has to adapt to terrible coding practices by relearning something as basic as common universal shortcuts because the developers thought it was cute to associate Ctrl+A to "Accounts" because its initial is an "A" when it has widely been the shortcut for "Select All" all across the world (English keyboards).
If not, then have the decency to dedicate a new shortcut to a very commonly used keyboard shortcut.
I am extremely surprised that any project manager would overlook this serious foul by allowing Ctrl+A to be replaced to suit a new software style.
Replied
This is absolutely, utterly stupid. Please at least give us the option to disable QB's use of taking over CTRL-A - which has been the standard for decades! What foolishness!
Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback, @No35.
I'm happy to share this feedback with our Development team to take into consideration. In the meantime, here's an article to familiarize the shortcuts that can be found within QuickBooks: Keyboard shortcuts in QuickBooks Desktop.
Please know we're here to help! Take care.
Same here, I am an IT Engineer and I do some software development as well.
CTRL+A should be reserved for select-all, not to open the chart of accounts. I am so used to CTRL-A, that I keep opening the chart of accounts involuntarily. 'Standardization' is something that have no clue, including the customer service that replies saying 'every program has it's own shortcuts'. Yes, each program has it's own shortcuts, but the most used shortcuts are not been reprogrammed.
QB team lacks of the basics of user interface design, and their products is a reflection of it. QB user interface is not user friendly, and it reminds me of a 15+ years old product, or Windows XP.
Also QB management doesn't learn from users feedback. Users have been asking for minor user interface improvements for many years, and they have never implemented them. Such as the inability to customize keyboard shortcuts, or having to resize columns every time, and the lack of bulk operations.
I feel sorry for all the regular users that are not computer savvy. QB must be a nightmare for them to learn and use.
Intuit does not make improvements to the desktop product any more, at least nothing useful. To them it is dead. A great example is the API. They are putting all their effort into the online garbage they sell. The only reason we get annual releases is so they can expire older products so they can continue milking you annually. We'd all be better off if just the serial/license key expired and we all stopped the lie.
Intuit does suck. And they barely support their products. But I have good news - if you use AutoHotKey, you can use this script to make a Ctrl+A do what you wanted.
Intuit's been doing stupid stuff for decades. We just keep rewarding them with business. You can handle this using AutoHotKey and this script:
@Tico - use this AutoHotKey script:
If this serves at therapy, I too have scared the paint off the walls screaming at QB for this specific thing. And, many other non-standard/bad design selections. I swear they let someone's kids code this in their mother's basement.
What would the scrip be to program it to select all instead of opening up chart of accounts?
Ctrl+Shift+End works
Ctrl+Shift+End, works
QUICKBOOKS DEVELOPERS:
FIX THIS COMPLETELY STUPID ISSUE - STANDARDIZE 'CTRL+A'
QUIT. BEING. LAZY.
I have to disagree with you here. I agree that developers do typically set their own hotkeys, but in fairness there are certain hotkeys that are considered common systemwide. Microsoft provides a list of hotkeys here in an article called "Shortcut Keys: UI Text Guidelines" https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/desktop/bb246447(v=vs.85) which includes "CTRL+A" as "Select all". The document specifically states: "The following table lists the standard shortcut key assignments for common commands. Do not assign these shortcut keys to other tasks."
So really, this was a bad programming decision made a long time ago, it specifically violates Microsoft guidelines, and it needs to change. Or at least add a preference for us to allow users to change it.
This is a DAILY frustration for me, every single time I use quickbooks.
I hear your sentiments, @JeffR3.
I recognize the convenience of using the Ctrl+A keyboard shortcut to select all text rather than opening the Chart of Accounts in QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT).
Rest assured that I'll relay this message to our team in concern here on my end and add your vote for this one. Our product development team reviews all the feedback we receive to ensure we're meeting the needs of our customers.
Here's how:
Furthermore, you can check out this article for other shortcut keys available within QBDT program: Keyboard shortcuts in QuickBooks Desktop.
If you have additional questions about your QuickBooks, please comment below. I'm always here to help. Keep safe!
```AHK
#IfWinActive, ahk_exe QBW32.exe
; Remap Chart of Accounts to Shift+Control+A
^+a::Send ^{a}
; Remap Control+A to Select All
^a::Send {Home}{End}
```
```AHK
#IfWinActive, ahk_exe QBW32.exe
; Remap Chart of Accounts to Shift+Control+A
^+a::Send ^{a}
; Remap Control+A to Select All
^a::Send {Home}{End}
```
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