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Mnemonics


A mnemonic is a single character that can be associated with any component that contains a text label. The label must contain the character, and the character must be underlined within the label, except in language environments in which underlining is unavailable. If a label does not naturally contain the character of the mnemonic, the mnemonic must be placed in parentheses following the label. Labels can also be sequentially numbered, and the number can serve as the mnemonic. Labels that are duplicated within an application should be given the same mnemonic. Mnemonics must be case insensitive for activation. Either an uppercase or lowercase letter can be underlined in the label.

When the location cursor is within a Menu or a MenuBar, pressing the mnemonic key of a component within that Menu or MenuBar must move the location cursor to the component and activate it. If a mnemonic is used for an OptionButton or for a CascadeButton in a MenuBar, pressing and the mnemonic anywhere in the window or its Menus must move the cursor to the component with that mnemonic and activate it. Implementation must support mnemonics for OptionButtons, PushButtons in a Menu, ToggleButtons in a Menu, and CascadeButtons in a Menu or MenuBar.

Mnemonics can also be used to select and deselect elements within a component as described in Using Mnemonics for Elements.