Keyboard Usage in SAP GUI for Windows 

This document describes which the use of keys on the keyboard for user interface elements of SAP GUI for Windows.

Levels of Interactivity

The level of interactivity of a user interface element depends on:

●      The basic state of the element (interactive or non-interactive)

●      The current state of the element (modifiable, read-only, or disabled)

●      the accessibility mode

Interactive user interface elements, such as input fields, allow interaction in principle, but their current states may be modifiable, read-only, or disabled:

●      Modifiable elements allow navigation and manipulation.

●      Read-only elements only allow navigation and selection.

●      Disabled elements are not modifiable in the current application context. They can only be navigated to in the accessibility mode. Disabled user interface elements indicate their disabled state; for example, they can be grayed out.

Non-interactive elements such as labels or decorations cannot be manipulated and can only be navigated to in the accessibility mode.

Navigation in User Interface Elements

Sequential element navigation moves the focus from one element to the next element. The focus moves along a predefined route, the tab order. Sequential element navigation using [Tab] and [Shift]+[Tab] to move the focus forwards or backwards can be very time consuming. When user interface elements are grouped in dialogs or screens, you can use group navigation more effectively and move the focus in larger steps. Choose [Ctrl]+[Tab] to move forwards and [Shift]+[Ctrl]+[Tab] to move backwards.

Typing Rules

A single key on the keyboard is shown in square brackets, such as [Ctrl]. The [ ] brackets indicate that it is a special key. If multiple keys have to be pressed at the same time, the key codes are described as follows: [Ctrl]+[c]. The + indicates that [Ctrl] has to be held down while [c] is pressed. If there are further keys that you can press after a key combination, this is indicated using an arrow.

The key combination for closing a window is [Alt]+[Space] -> [c]. You press [Alt] and [Space] at the same time. You then press [c].

Alternative keys are expressed as follows, [Up/Down/Left/Right]. This means that you need to press one of the keys separated by [/] or [|].