Keyboard Shortcuts and Hotkeys in APEX Applications

Power Users Love Keyboards

Adding keyboard shortcuts transforms a click-heavy web app into a productivity tool. Users processing hundreds of records daily save significant time with shortcuts for Save, New, Search, and navigation.

APEX Built-In Shortcuts

APEX already provides Ctrl+Alt+1-9 for navigation, Ctrl+Alt+S for search, Ctrl+Alt+A for Actions menus. Document these in a help page.

Adding Custom Shortcuts

document.addEventListener("keydown", function(e) {
    if (e.ctrlKey && e.key === "s") {
        e.preventDefault();
        apex.submit("SAVE");
    }
    if (e.ctrlKey && e.key === "n") {
        e.preventDefault();
        apex.navigation.redirect(apex.util.makeApplicationUrl({pageId:20}));
    }
    if (e.key === "F2") {
        e.preventDefault();
        apex.item("P10_SEARCH").setFocus();
    }
});

Context-Sensitive Shortcuts

document.addEventListener("keydown", function(e) {
    var tag = e.target.tagName.toLowerCase();
    var isTyping = (tag === "input" || tag === "textarea" || tag === "select");
    if (!isTyping && e.key === "a" && !e.ctrlKey) { approveSelected(); }
});

Shortcut Help Panel

Bind the “?” key to open a hidden region listing all shortcuts. Always provide mouse alternatives for every shortcut. Never override standard browser shortcuts like Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, Tab, or Enter.