While Windows is a mouse intensive application, many traffic operators tend to prefer keyboard commands. With this in mind, we have geared these instructions toward the keyboard user with generic terms for specific operation. There are a lot of entry routines where you can step through functions using the TAB button, and little if any mouse activity is required. Extensive use of accelerator and hot keys also allows you to keep both hands on the keyboard for rapid data entry. However, VT is an application designed under Windows and it will work a lot easier for you to use the mouse (or trackball) in some areas.
In most instances, you will be instructed to Select or click a button or text field. If you are using the keyboard, use the TAB key to move from one command button to the next. To Select (press) a command button, press the space bar.
In a text field, TAB to the field and enter text. With a mouse, this would be performed with a single click of the left mouse button in the text field.
To move from one area in a dialog to another, simply press the TAB key. VT has been programmed so that the TAB key will move to the next logical location in the dialog when entering a new record. SHIFT + TAB will move backwards through the sequence.
Please do not underestimate the value of the TAB key. It can speed up many normal operations once you become comfortable with the procedure. In fact, it is suggested you experiment with the TAB key on any dialog screen where you will be doing repetitive work. To test, just keep pressing the TAB key to see where the key takes you in the dialog. When it finishes the sequence, it automatically returns to the first key and starts over again. Nothing is ever altered just by pressing the TAB key.
The tab sequence of each dialog is programmed into VT and may not be changed by the end user. Every attempt has been made to tab with the normal flow of document entry but there will be circumstances where you will either need to press the TAB key multiple times to get where you want to go or use the mouse and click on the desired item. Any subsequent use of the TAB key will begin from the new reference point.
Although menus can be accessed quickly with a mouse, the keyboard can also be used. To do so, you must first familiarize yourself with some parts of the menu. The Menu Bar, contains the name of each available menu.
Once one menu item has been highlighted via the keyboard, the arrow keys may be used to move to other items within the menu bar.
Notice that one character of each menu name is underscored. This is called an accelerator key. Here is how to access a menu with the keyboard starting from the main VT menu:
The menu will open displaying a list of other menus. Notice that each of these menu items also has an accelerator key. At this point, you do not need to use the ALT key (although it will not hurt anything). Simply type the accelerator key of the desired menu item and you will be taken to that dialog.
Any button that has an ellipses (...) following the description means that it will bring up another dialog when pressed.
When you see a command button on a dialog screen that has an underlined character in its name that means this button can be selected with a hot key. Hot keys work just like accelerator keys. Use the ALT key to make it work.
VT is programmed with hot keys on almost every button in many dialogs to give you another option when using the program. The purpose is to allow you to keep your hands on the keyboard instead of using one hand to utilize the mouse for movement or selection. The idea is to make your job easier and more efficient. Use the method that works best for you.
Although there are some areas where VT will ignore hot keys, in general the keys do not require any special focus and can be invoked anytime you are on the dialog from any focused location as long as it wouldn’t cause a conflict.
You can close and exit most dialogs within VT by pressing the ESC key.