What are cross-browser and cross-OS safe keyboard shortcuts usable for web application?

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I am developing a quite large web application, and it is probably a good idea to use hotkeys for some common tasks. However, I discovered that finding safe key combinations is a problem, regarding all different browsers and OSes.

For example, Chrome has such a long list of hotkeys that trying to use some kind of logical hotkeys scheme for my web application is impossible - e.g. Ctrl + 1, Ctrl + 2, Ctrl + 3, etc.

Do you have some cheat sheet of safe hotkeys which can be used in a web application and not worry about some browser or OS interference?

hotkeys web-applications
5 Answers

Facebook uses the following ones that need different main keys to press depending on the used browser:

https://www.facebook.com/help/156151771119453?helpref=faq_content

Key Combinations for Different Browsers

Find the right combination of keys for your browser in the list below, and replace # with the access key number listed under access keys below.

Internet Explorer for PC: Alt + #, then Enter
Firefox for PC: Shift + Alt + #
Safari for Mac: Ctrl + Opt + #
Firefox for Mac: Ctrl + Opt + #
Chrome for Mac: Ctrl + Opt + #
Chrome for PC: Alt + #

Access keys
0 - Help
1 - Home
2 - Timeline
3 - Friends
4 - Inbox
5 – Notifications
6 – Settings
7 - Activity Log
8 - About
9 - Terms

However, Facebook supports these shortcuts in all browsers:

Web Messenger Keyboard Shortcuts
Ctrl + G - Search conversations
Ctrl + Q - Show/hide keyboard shortcuts
Ctrl + Delete - Archive/unarchive conversation
Ctrl + J - Mark as spam
Ctrl + M - Start a new message
Ctrl + I - Go to Inbox
Ctrl + U - Go to Other

Conclusion: Some shortcuts might work in all browsers, but most of them need additional explanation.

user_3187650

In short: No.

Suggested modifier keys (the other modifier keys are used by OS or browser):

  • macOS - control, control+option, control+shift and control+option+shift

  • win OS - just alt+shift

  • you can use control+shift on macOS, which is similar to alt+shift on win

user_4565360
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