[Solved] Change function of Tab key

[stebobibo]

How would you change the function of a regular key (like a-z keys, numbers, other punctiation, etc). The hotkeys menu I was able to find seems to be only able to change the function of hotkeys for openoffice tasks. This is Tools>Customize>Keyboard Tab. From it I can only customize processes of the writer program, but not what basic key presses do.

Specifically, right now I want to change what the tab button does. I want to make it so that instead of moving to specific tab stops when I press it (which it does even if I haven't set my own tab stops), it just does a "long space". Like let's say the equivalent of pressing the space bar 5 times. Is this possible? If not is there another work around? I want to be able to conveniently make a uniform large space with the press of a button. Thank you!

[RoryOF]

It would be helpful to know why you want "uniformly long space". If you require this for indenting text there may be other ways to do that.

In addition, such a "long space" as you seek may become distorted if you apply paragraph formatting.

[Bill]

You should post your operating system in your signature. If you're using Windows, look at AutoHotKey .

[MrProgrammer]

Specifically, right now I want to change what the tab button does.

The Tab key is fundamental to the operation of OpenOffice, and fortunately you cannot customize its function because doing so would cause features to break and you would have to attempt to undo your customization. Consider using Writer's AutoText feature instead.

If this solved your problem please go to your first post use the Edit ☐ button and add [Solved] to the start of the Subject field. Select the green checkmark icon at the same time.

[RoryOF]

Or if you explain your desired formatting, we may be able to advise a better way.

[JeJe]

Not sure what you mean by a long space but you can run any command or your own macro on pressing the tab by using a keyhandler. Macros will have to be enabled for the attached document showing this.

[Hagar Delest]

Or maybe easier, create an AutoText with five spaces, then give it a shortcut and it will do the job in few keystrokes.

Please add [Solved] at the beginning of the title in your first post (top of the topic) with the 🖉 button if your issue has been fixed.

[stebobibo]

Hey guys, sorry for being so long getting back to this. I'll adress some of the comments.

It would be helpful to know why you want "uniformly long space". If you require this for indenting text there may be other ways to do that.

In addition, such a "long space" as you seek may become distorted if you apply paragraph formatting.

For a document I'm working on. Indenting makes it look stupid. I want certain text spaced evenly apart (recurs through the document). Counting how many times I press spacebar and applying that every time would be a hassle. Copy-pasting the empty space is also a bad solution; I'm already using my clipboard a lot in this document.

You should post your operating system in your signature. If you're using Windows, look at AutoHotKey .

Ok, I'll try to figure out doing that with the signature after I post this. Windows 10.

The Tab key is fundamental to the operation of OpenOffice, and fortunately you cannot customize its function because doing so would cause features to break and you would have to attempt to undo your customization. Consider using Writer's AutoText feature instead.

It would be ideal to use tab, but any key that's not frequently used will do.

Not sure what you mean by a long space but you can run any command or your own macro on pressing the tab by using a keyhandler. Macros will have to be enabled for the attached document showing this.

I tried your macro, but couldn't get it to work. I did go into settings and allow macros. Still got nothing. I haven't used macros before. I did click tools>macros>run macro and it said "OO requires a java runtime environment to perform this task. please instal and restart OO." So I have to install something first? And where's a safe place to install that? Maybe another solution is better for a noob like me.

Or maybe easier, create an AutoText with five spaces, then give it a shortcut and it will do the job in few keystrokes.

Please add [Solved] at the beginning of the title in your first post (top of the topic) with the 🖉 button if your issue has been fixed.

Okay, thanks. Is there a tutorial that explains how to do that in layman's terms?

[robleyd]

Is there a tutorial that explains how to do that in layman's terms

Open the offline HELP - F1 - and search autotext. The resulting instructions seem fairly straight forward.