# Finding Your Way Around

Claus
Christensen
&TC.Hollingsworth; &TC.Hollingsworth.mail;

## A Visual Dictionary

The &plasma-workspaces; feature many different graphical user interface elements, commonly known as widgets. This guide will introduce you to their names and functions.

### The Big Picture

#### Windows

A Window

This is the window of the &kwrite;, a text editor. Click on part of the window to learn more about it.

1. The Window Menu

2. The Titlebar

3. Buttons to minimize, maximize, or close the window

4. The Menubar

5. The Toolbar

6. A very large Text Area that acts as this program's Central Widget

7. A vertical Scrollbar (there is also a horizontal scrollbar below the text box)

8. The Statusbar

Another Window

This is the another window, that of the &dolphin; file manager. Click on part of the window to learn more about it.

1. A panel that contains a list of Places on the computer system

2. A Breadcrumb of the path of the displayed folder

3. A folder Icon

4. A file Icon

5. A highlighted Icon

6. A Context Menu listing actions that can be performed on a file

7. A Slider that changes the size of the Icons displayed

8. More Panels

#### Elements of Graphical User Interface (&GUI;)

Some &GUI; Elements

This screenshot, from the &systemsettings; Formats panel, shows some &GUI; elements. Click on part of the window to learn more about it.

1. An Icon List (the second item is selected)

2. An open Drop Down Box

3. An item in the Drop Down Box that has been selected

4. Some more Buttons

Some More &GUI; Elements

This screenshot, from the &systemsettings; Custom Shortcuts panel, shows some more &GUI; elements.

1. A Tree View

2. A Check Box that has been selected

3. A pair of Spin Boxes

4. A Menu Button

Even More &GUI; Elements

This screenshot, from the &systemsettings; Default Applications panel, shows even more &GUI; elements. Click on part of the window to learn more about it.

1. A List Box

2. A pair of Radio Buttons

3. A Text Box

Some Combo Boxes

Finally, this screenshot, from the &systemsettings; Colors panel, shows five Tabs

### The Widgets

Name | Description | Screenshot
--- | --- | ---
Central Widget | The main area of the running application. This might be the document you are editing in a word processor or the board of a game like Chess. |
Button | These can be clicked with the &LMB; to perform an action. |
Breadcrumb | Shows the path in a hierarchical system, such as a filesystem. Click on any part of the path to go up in the tree to that location. Click on the arrow to the right of part of the path to go to another child element of that path. |
Check Box | These can be clicked to select and unselect items. They are typically used in a list of several selections. Selected items typically display a check mark, whereas unselected items will have an empty box. |
Color Selector | This allows a color to be selected for various purposes, such as changing the color of text. For more information, see |
Combo Box | A combination of a Drop Down Box and a Text Box. You can select an option from the list, or type in the text box. Some combo boxes may automatically complete entries for you, or open the list with a list of choices that match what you have typed. |
Context Menu | Many user interface elements in the &plasma; Workspace and in Applications contain a context menu, which can be opened by clicking on something with the &RMB;. This menu contains options and actions that usually affect the user interface element that was right-clicked. |
Dialog Box | A small window that appears above a larger application window. It may contain a message, warning, or configuration panel, among others. |
Drop Down Box | This provides a list of items, from which you may select one. |
Icon | A graphical representation of something, such as a file or action. They typically, but not always, also contain a text description, either beneath or to the right of the icon. |
Icon List | This provides a list of items represented by an Icon and a description. It is typically used in the left panel of configuration panels to allow selection from various types of configuration categories. |
List Box | This is a list of items that typically allows multiple items to be selected. To select a group of contiguous items, press the &Shift; key and click the first and last items. To select multiple items that are not contiguous, press the &Ctrl; key and select the desired items. |
Menu | A list of selections, that usually perform an action, set an option, or opens a window. These can be opened from menubars or menu buttons. |
Menubar | These are located at the top of nearly every window and provide access to all the functions of the running application. For more information, see . |
Menu Button | A special type of button that opens a menu. |
Panel or Sidebar or Tool View | These are located on the sides or bottom of the central widget and allow you to perform many different tasks in an application. A text editor might provide a list of open documents in one, while a word processor might allow you to select a clip art image. |
Progress Bar | A small bar that indicates that a long-running operation is being performed. The bar may indicate how much of the operation has completed, or it may simply bounce back and forth to indicate that the operation is in progress. |
Radio Button | These are used in a list of options, and only permit one of the options in the list to be selected. |
Scrollbar | Allows you to navigate a document. |
Slider | Allows a numeric value to be selected by moving a small bar either horizontally or vertically across a line. |
Spin Box | This permits a numerical value to be selected, either by using the up and down arrows to the right of the box to raise or lower the value, respectively, or by typing the value into the text box. |
Status Bar | These are located at the bottom of many applications and display information about what the application is currently doing. For instance, a web browser might indicate the progress of loading a web page, while a word processor might display the current word count. |
Tab | These appear at the top of an area of a window, and permit that area of the window to be changed to a variety of different selections. |
Text Area | Allows a large amount of text to be typed in, typically multiple lines or paragraphs. Unlike a Text Box, pressing &Enter; will usually result in a line break. |
Text Box | A single-line text entry that allows a small amount of text to be typed in. Typically, pressing &Enter; will perform the same action as clicking the OK button. |
Titlebar | This is located at the top of every window. It contains the name of the application and usually information about what the application is doing, like the title of the web page being viewed in a web browser or the filename of a document open in a word processor. |
Toolbar | These are located near the top of many applications, typically directly underneath the menu bar. They provide access to many common functions of the running application, like Save or Print. |

Tree View

A Tree View allows you to select from a hierarchical list of options. A section, or category, of the Tree View may be unexpanded, in which case no options will appear beneath it and the arrow to the left of the title will be pointing right, toward the title. It may also be expanded, in which case several options will be listed below it, and the arrow to the left of the title will be pointing down, toward the options. To expand a portion of the tree view, click the arrow to the left of the title of the section you wish to expand, double-click on the title, or select the title using your keyboard's arrow keys and press the &Enter; or + key. To minimize a portion of the tree view, you may also click the arrow, double-click on the title, or press the &Enter; or - key.

&TC.Hollingsworth; &TC.Hollingsworth.mail;

## Common Menus

Many &kde; applications contain these menus. However, most applications will have more menu entries than those listed here, and others may be missing some of the entries listed here.

A Menu Bar
A menubar

The menubar in &gwenview;.

Some applications, like &dolphin;, do not show a menubar by default. You can show it by pressing &Ctrl;M. You can also use this to hide the menubar in applications that support doing so.

### The File Menu

The File menu allows you to perform operations on the currently open file and access common tasks in applications.

Common menu items include:

&Ctrl;N File New

  Creates a new file.

File New Window

  Opens a new window.

&Ctrl;O File Open...

  Opens an already existing file.

&Ctrl;S File Save

  Saves the file. If the file already exists it will be overwritten.

File Save As...

  Saves the file with a new filename.

File Save All

  Saves all open files.

F5 File Reload

  Reloads the current file.

File Reload All

  Reloads all open files.

&Ctrl;P File Print...

  Prints the file. Use Print to File (PDF) to generate a &PDF; file or select a range of pages to print only these pages to a new &PDF; file

&Ctrl;W File Close

  Closes the current file.

File Close All

  Closes all open files.

&Ctrl;Q File Quit

  Exits the program.

### The Edit Menu

The Edit menu allows you to modify the currently open file.

&Ctrl;Z Edit Undo

  Undo the last action you performed in the file.

&Ctrl;&Shift;Z Edit Redo

  Redo the last action you performed in the file.

&Ctrl;X Edit Cut

  Removes the currently selected portion of the file, if any, and places a copy of it in the clipboard buffer.

&Ctrl;C Edit Copy

  Places a copy of the currently selected portion of the file, if any, in the clipboard buffer.

&Ctrl;V Edit Paste

  Copies the first item in the clipboard buffer to the current location in the file, if any.

&Ctrl;A Edit Select All

  Selects the entire contents of the currently open file.

&Ctrl;F Edit Find...

  Allows you to search for text in the currently open file.

&Ctrl;R Edit Replace...

  Allows you to search for text in the currently open file and replace it with something else.

F3 Edit Find Next

  Go to the next match of the last Find operation.

&Shift;F3 Edit Find Previous

  Go to the previous match of the last Find operation.

### The View Menu

The View menu allows you to change the layout of the currently open file and/or the running application.

This menu has different options depending on the application you are using.

### The Tools Menu

The Tools menu allows you to perform certain actions on the currently open file.

&Ctrl;&Shift;O Tools Automatic Spell Checking

  Check for spelling errors as you type. For more information, see .

Tools Spelling...

  This initiates the spellchecking program - a program designed to help the user catch and correct any spelling errors. For more information, see .

Tools Spelling (from cursor)...

  This initiates the spellchecking program, but only checks the portion of the document from the current location of the cursor to the end. For more information, see .

Tools Spellcheck Selection...

  This initiates the spellchecking program, but only checks the currently selected text in the document. For more information, see .

Tools Change Dictionary...

  This allows you to change the dictionary used to check spellings. For more information, see .

### The Settings Menu

The Settings allows you to customize the application.

This menu typically contains the following items:

&Ctrl;M Settings Show Menubar

  Toggle the Menubar display on and off. Once hidden it can be made visible using the shortcut &Ctrl;M again. If the menubar is hidden, the context menu opened with a right mouse button click anywhere in the view area has an extra entry Show Menubar.

Settings Show Statusbar

  Toggles the display of the statusbar on and off. Some &kde; applications use statusbar at the bottom of their screen to display useful information.

Settings Toolbars Shown

  Allows you to show and hide the various toolbars supported by the application.

Settings Show Statusbar

  When checked, this displays a small bar at the bottom of the application containing information about the status. When unchecked the status bar is hidden.

Settings Configure Shortcuts...

  Allows you to enable, disable, and modify keyboard shortcuts. For more information, see .

Settings Configure Toolbars...

  Allows you to customize the contents, layout, text, and icons of toolbars. For more information, see .

Settings Configure Notifications...

  This item displays a standard &kde; notifications configuration dialog, where you can change the notifications (sounds, visible messages, &etc;) used by the application.

  For more information how to configure notifications please read the documentation for the &systemsettings; module Manage Notifications.

Settings Configure Application...

  Opens the configuration panel for the currently running application.

### The Help Menu

The Help menu gives you access to the application's documentation and other useful resources.

F1 Help Application Handbook

  Invokes the KDE Help system starting at the running application's handbook.

&Shift;F1 Help What's This?

  Changes the mouse cursor to a combination arrow and question mark. Clicking on items within the application; will open a help window (if one exists for the particular item) explaining the item's function.

Help Tip of the Day

  This command opens the Tip of the Day dialog. You can page through all the tips by using the buttons on the dialog and select to show the tips at startup.

  Note: Not all applications provide these tips.

Help Report Bug...

  Opens the Bug report dialog where you can report a bug or request a wishlist feature.

Help Donate

  Opens the Donations page where you can support &kde; and its projects.

Help Switch Application Language...

  Opens a dialog where you can edit the Primary language and Fallback language for this application.

Help About Application

  This will display version and author information for the running application.

Help About KDE

  This displays the &kde; Development Platform version and other basic information.

### Thanks and Acknowledgments

Special thanks to an anonymous Google Code-In 2011 participant for writing much of this documentation.

&TC.Hollingsworth; &TC.Hollingsworth.mail;

## Common Keyboard Shortcuts

The &plasma-workspaces; provide keyboard shortcuts that allow you to perform many tasks without touching your mouse. If you use your keyboard frequently, using these can save you lots of time.

This list contains the most common shortcuts supported by the workspace itself and many applications available within. Every application also provides its own shortcuts, so be sure to check their manuals for a comprehensive listing.

The Meta key described below is a generic name for the custom key found on many different keyboards. On keyboards designed for &Microsoft; &Windows;, this key is usually called the Windows key, and will have a picture of the &Windows; logo. On keyboards designed for &Mac; computers, this key is known as the Command key and will have a picture of the Apple logo and/or the ⌘ symbol. On keyboards designed for &UNIX; systems, this key is really known as the Meta key and is typically labeled with a diamond: ◆.

### Working with Windows

These shortcuts allow you to perform all kinds of operations with windows, whether it be opening, closing, moving, or switching between them.

#### Starting and Stopping Applications

These shortcuts make it easy to start and stop programs.

Shortcut | Description
--- | ---
Meta | Open the Application Launcher
&Alt;Space / &Alt;F2 | Run Command Interface
&Ctrl;Esc | System Activity
&Alt;F4 | Close
&Ctrl;Q | Quit
&Ctrl;&Alt;&Esc; | Force Quit

#### Moving Around

These shortcuts allow you to navigate between windows, activities, and desktops efficiently.

Shortcut | Description
--- | ---
&Ctrl;F10 | Present Windows
&Ctrl;F9 | Present Windows on current desktop
&Ctrl;F7 | Present Windows of current application only
&Ctrl;F12 | Show Desktop
&Ctrl;&Alt;A | Activate Window Demanding Attention
&Alt;&Tab; | Walk through windows
&Alt;&Shift;&Tab; | Walk through windows (Reverse)
&Alt;F3 | Open the Window Operations menu
&Meta;&Alt;Up | Switch to Window Above
&Meta;&Alt;Down | Switch to Window Below
&Meta;&Alt;Left | Switch to Window to the Left
&Meta;&Alt;Right | Switch to Window to the Right

#### Panning and Zooming

Need to get a closer look? The &plasma-workspaces; allow you to zoom in and out and move your entire desktop around, so you can zoom in even when the application you are using doesn't support it.

Shortcut | Description
--- | ---
&Meta;= | Zoom In
&Meta;- | Zoom Out
&Meta;0 | Zoom Normal
&Meta;Up | Pan Up
&Meta;Down | Pan Down
&Meta;Left | Pan left
&Meta;Right | Pan Right

### Working with Activities and Virtual Desktops

These shortcuts allow you to switch between and manage Activities and virtual desktops.

Shortcut | Description
--- | ---
&Meta;Q / &Alt;D,&Alt;A | Manage Activities
&Meta;&Tab; | Next Activity
&Meta;&Shift;&Tab; | Previous Activity
&Ctrl;F1 | Switch to Desktop 1
&Ctrl;F2 | Switch to Desktop 2
&Ctrl;F3 | Switch to Desktop 3
&Ctrl;F4 | Switch to Desktop 4

### Working with the Desktop

These shortcuts allow you to work with the &plasma-desktop; and panels.

Shortcut | Description
--- | ---
&Alt;D A | Add Widgets
&Alt;D R | Remove this Widget
&Alt;D L | Lock/Unlock Widgets
&Alt;D S | Widget Settings
&Ctrl;F12 | Show Desktop
&Alt;D T | Run the Associated Application
&Alt;D,&Alt;S | Desktop Settings

### Getting Help

Need some help? The manual for the current application is only a keypress away, and some programs even have additional help that explains the element in focus.

Shortcut | Description
--- | ---
F1 | Help
&Shift;F1 | What's This?

### Working with Documents

Whether it's a text document, spreadsheet, or web site, these shortcuts make performing many kinds of tasks with them easy.

Shortcut | Description
--- | ---
F5 | Refresh
&Ctrl;A | Select All
&Ctrl;Z | Undo
&Ctrl;&Shift;Z | Redo
&Ctrl;X | Cut
&Ctrl;C | Copy
&Ctrl;V | Paste
&Ctrl;N | New
&Ctrl;P | Print
&Ctrl;S | Save
&Ctrl;F | Find
&Ctrl;W | Close Document/Tab

### Working with Files

Whether you are in an Open/Save dialog or the &dolphin; file manager, these shortcuts save you time when performing operations on files. Note that some of the concepts used with files are the same as with documents, so several of the shortcuts are identical to their counterparts listed above.

Shortcut | Description
--- | ---
&Ctrl;Z | Undo
&Ctrl;X | Cut
&Ctrl;C | Copy
&Ctrl;V | Paste
&Ctrl;A | Select All
&Ctrl;L | Replace Location
&Ctrl;&Shift;A | Invert Selection
&Alt;Left | Back
&Alt;Right | Forward
&Alt;Up | Up (to folder that contains this one)
&Alt;Home | Home Folder
Delete | Move to Trash
&Shift;Delete | Delete Permanently

### Changing Volume and Brightness

In addition to the standard keys, many computer keyboards and laptops nowadays have special keys or buttons to change the speaker volume, as well as the brightness of your monitor if applicable. If present, you can use these keys in the &plasma-workspaces; to perform those tasks.

If you do not have such keys, see for information on how to assign keys for these tasks.

### Leaving Your Computer

All done? Use these shortcuts and put your computer away!

Shortcut | Description
--- | ---
&Ctrl;&Alt;L | Lock Screen
&Ctrl;&Alt;Del | Leave

### Modifying Shortcuts

The shortcuts described in Working With Windows, Leaving Your Computer, Changing Volume and Brightness and Working with Activities and Virtual Desktops are called global shortcuts, since they work regardless of which window you have open on your screen. These can be modified in the Global Shortcuts panel of &systemsettings;, where they are separated by &kde; component.

The shortcuts described Working with the Desktop are immutable and cannot be modified.

The shortcuts described in Working with Documents and Getting Help are set by individual programs. Most &kde; programs allow you to use the common shortcut editing dialog to modify these. The shortcuts described in Working With Files can be edited in the same manner when used inside a file manager like &dolphin; or &konqueror;, but cannot be modified in the case of Open/Save dialogs, &etc;