Shortcut Guide
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Shortcut Guide

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matching-iconShortcuts


This guide is an overview of the different types of shortcuts available on the nVoq platform, and offers examples of each for you to view.

**Only "Insert Text" shortcuts work in nVoq.Voice and nVoq.Mobile Voice.**


Insert Text

Shortcuts that insert text are for you if you:

  • Type the same things over and over again each day-from a single sentence to your signature block.
  • Type or copy paragraphs from other documents.
  • Want to include variable text in your transcript. (See Environment Variables)

Try It Yourself

  1. Click here to download a .csv file with example shortcuts.
  2. Add the example shortcuts in nVoq.Administrator by uploading the .csv file. See Upload Shortcuts.
  3. Run the shortcuts to try them out.
    • Launch AgentAssist or nVoq.Voice
    • Open Microsoft Word or another text editing program.
    • Place your cursor in Word (or your program).
    • Press the F4 key to open the popup shortcut menu and select these shortcut commands:
      • Insert a Sentence
      • Insert Paragraphs
      • My Signature


Open Web Pages

Shortcuts that open web pages are for you if you:

  • Visit the same web pages over and over again
  • Have to click, click, and click again to navigate to the information you need
  • Access local or network files with your web browser.

Try It Yourself

  1. Click here to download a .csv file with example shortcuts.
  2. Add the example shortcuts in nVoq.Administrator by uploading the .csv file. See Upload Shortcuts.
  3. Run the shortcuts to try them out.
    1. Launch AgentAssist
    2. Press the F4 key to open the popup shortcut menu and select these shortcut commands:
      • nVoq Home Page
      • Support Site
      • A Fun Webpage

 


Open Files, Folders and Applications

Shortcuts that open files, folders, and applications are for you if you:

  • Open the same documents and folders over and over again
  • Have to click multiple times to navigate to information you need
  • Open the same applications every day

Try It Yourself

Because each computer may be different, we won't provide a .csv file with sample shortcuts. They might not work on your machine! Instead use the following examples as patterns to make your own.

Provide a fully qualified path. Spaces in paths are allowed.

  • WINDOWS: C:\Windows\System32\notepad.exe
  • WINDOWS: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15\root\office15\EXCEL.EXE

Provide a network path.

  • WINDOWS: \\mynetworkhost\Training\AgentAssistUniversity
  • WINDOWS: \\user_apps\Programs\Setup.exe


Tips for Finding a Path

Use Windows Explorer to browse to an item, then copy the path and name.
  • Example: C:\Windows\System32
  • Example: C:\Windows\System32\notepad.exe
You can also right-click on a desktop shortcut or program file and choose Properties.

shortcut_properties



Application Parameters (Optional)

Many applications include support for "parameters" (also known as application arguments, command-line switches, or command-line arguments) that provide additional information to an application when it starts.

  • To add in AgentAssist, click the radio button in the shortcut wizard.

shortcut_app_params

 

Examples with Parameters

Parameters are application-specific. To find information on parameters for your application, try a web search using the name of your application along with following terms: application parameters, application arguments, command-line switches, or command-line arguments. 

Parameters with spaces must be quoted (either single or double quotes are OK). 

In the following examples, the parameters are shown in red:

 

Open a file and interpret with ANSI encoding:

  • Example: C:\Windows\System32\notepad.exe /A myFile.txt

Open a file in read-only mode:

  • Example: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15\root\office15\EXCEL.EXE /r "C:\my File.xlsx"

Open a file with a specific program:

 
  • Example: C:\Windows\System32\notepad++.exe myFile.txt

Open a web page with a specific browser:

TIP: Put the path to the browser as the Written Form, and put the URL to the web page as the application parameter.

  • Example: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Firefox https://support.nvoq.com/nvoq-dictation 

 


Insert Template (for Select and Say)

Templates are designed to work with in the "Select and Say" window in AgentAssist.

An Insert Template shortcut allows you to:

  • Use templates to help you collect all the information you need for a particular job.
  • Include variables in the written form to insert variable text. 

A template shortcut launches the Select and Say window in AgentAssist (whether or not it is enabled) and inserts the contents of the template into that window. If the Select and Say window is already open, running an Insert Template shortcut inserts the shortcut text (or template) into the Select and Say window at the location of the cursor. 

The written form of the template can be the same as shortcuts that insert text. However, by adding a pair of open and close single square brackets [ ] or double square brackets [[  ]] to a Template shortcut, you create a template that can be navigated in the Select and Say window.

  • Single square bracket fields[ ] allow you to advance through the fields within the Select and Say window using shortcut commands, keys on your keyboard, or buttons on a hand-held microphone.
  • In SayIt, Double square bracket fields [[ ]] allowed you to advance through the fields automatically after dictating. SayIt was retired in December 2022.
You can use Insert Template shortcuts whether or not Select and Say is enabled on the Options menu in AgentAssist and whether or not Select and Say enabled for the group in nVoq.Administrator.

Try It Yourself

  1. Click here to download a .csv file with example shortcuts.
  2. Add the example shortcuts in nVoq.Administrator by uploading the .csv file. See Upload Shortcuts.
  3. Run the shortcuts to try them out.
    1. Launch AgentAssist
    2. Press the F4 key to open the popup shortcut menu and select these shortcut commands:
      • Patient Notes
      • Change Plan
      • Invoice Adjustment
    3. Complete each template, then open Microsoft Word (or another text program) and place your cursor in that program before you click the checkmark button in the Select and Say window.

 


 

Keyboard Automations

Shortcuts that simulate keyboard input are for you if you:

  • Use the Tab key, directional arrows, or click multiple times to navigate through forms, menus, and dialogs
  • Don't use keyboard shortcuts and hotkeys because they are too hard to remember.

For example, in some spreadsheet applications, the following key sequence fills the current cell with yellow: ALT, H, H, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, RIGHT, RIGHT, RIGHT. But that's a lot of keys to remember and type in.

Keyboard automations can simulate typing regular text too. However, if you just want regular text inserted into your application, it may be easier to use a shortcut that inserts text. See Insert Text.

Try It Yourself

Because keyboard shortcuts and hotkeys are application-specific, we won't provide a .csv file with sample shortcuts. Instead, use the following examples as patterns to make your own. 

A particular application (noted below) must have focus to use these example keyboard automations.


In a Firefox browser, open a new tab:

Alt F, T

In Windows 10, open onscreen keyboard:

WINDOWS Ctrl O

In a text field or document, highlight the previous word and delete it.

shift ctrl LEFT, DELETE

This one may not work if you have Num Lock enabled. As a work-around, use with Num Lock disabled or alternatively, use a Workflow Automation:
Send("+^{LEFT}")
Send("{DELETE}")

In Microsoft Outlook, open a new message, type into the subject line (My Subject) and type some text in the body of the message (This is an example.)

ALT, H, N, TAB, TAB, SHIFT M, y, SPACE, SHIFT S, u, b, j, e, c, t, TAB, SHIFT T, h, i, s, SPACE, i, s, SPACE, a, n, SPACE, e, x, a, m, p, l, e, PERIOD

If this one doesn't work as intended on your computer, it might need a delay added to the key sequence. See Why Do I Need a Delay?
For more AgentAssist keyboard hotkeys, see AgentAssist Keyboard Hotkeys.


How Do I Enter Keys?

Generally, enter a key (e) or a key combination (Shift S) separated by a comma (,) as shown in the examples above. 

All characters on US English keyboard are allowed in a keyboard automation. Characters that are not on a US English keyboard (like ø, Æ, or þ) are automatically removed when you save the shortcut. 

To enter your key combination:

  • In the AgentAssist "New Shortcut" window, select Keyboard Automation.
  • On the screen when you enter the key combination, click the Insert a Key button and press a key or combination of keys on your keyboard, then click OK.

sayit_insertKeyboardHotkey

  • Alternatively, you can enter your key sequence manually. Some combinations are prohibited or must be entered manually. See Known Limitations.
Both AgentAssist and nVoq.Administrator include key recorders to make creating keyboard automations easier.
Be sure to test your shortcut in AgentAssist as you're working to quickly find problems or where you might need to add delays.
The SHIFT key may not be recognized while running automations if the Num Lock key is enabled. As a work-around, run your keyboard automation with Num Lock disabled. 
Due to a defect in Java, the UP, DOWN, RIGHT, and LEFT arrow keys may be recognized as NUMPAD8, NUMPAD2, NUMPAD 6, and NUMPAD4 (respecitvely) when Num Lock is enabled. As a work-around you can run keyboard automations with Num Lock disabled, or you can use a Workflow Automation shortcut that includes the command Send("+^{LEFT}") in place of LEFT

 

Why Do I Need a Delay?

A delay causes AgentAssist to pause briefly before sending the next key(s). In some cases AgentAssist can send simulated keystrokes faster than your application, computer, or network can respond. 

If your shortcut doesn't work as expected, you may need to add a delay to pause your shortcut while your application or computer catches up. 

To add a delay:

  • In the Keyboard Automation window where you enter the key combination, click the Insert a Delay button to add a default delay (200 milliseconds).

sayit_shortcut_delay

Each single "delay" = 200 milliseconds (5 delays = 1000 milliseconds or 1 second).

  • You can add multiple "delays" or you can put an equal sign after a delay (delay=) with a specific time parameter after it to specify the length of a delay.   For example: delay=1000 is a 1 second delay.   You may specify a delay up to 120000 milliseconds (2 minutes). 

Delay Examples

  • Default Delay: WINDOWS, UP, delay, RIGHT
  • Multiple Delays: WINDOWS, UP, delay, delay, delay, delay, delay, RIGHT
  • Time-specified delay: WINDOWS, UP, delay=1000, RIGHT

In our previous example, insert a delay where you need to enter the pause in the key sequence. 

In AgentAssist, open a New Shortcut dialog: Alt C, Alt C, delay, Alt N, Alt S 

Shortcut is Running Message

A message will appear while a keyboard automation (that includes 10 commands or more) is running to notify the user that the automation is in progress. This message serves to minimize the possibility that the shortcut will malfunction or fail as a result of the user moving the cursor or changing focus of a window before AgentAssist completes the automation. It also gives the user the ability to stop the automation, if necessary.

Shortcut_Running_Message

 

Known Limitations of Keyboard Automations

  • Keyboard automations have a 900,000 character limit. (A character is a typed symbol, not a keystroke. For example, "SHIFT" is 5 characters, even though it is 1 keystroke.)
  • You cannot use your dictation or shortcut hotkeys in keyboard automations. (By default these are F2 and F3, but yours may be different.)
  • Certain commands may be prohibited by your operating system. For example, WINDOWS L or Ctrl + Alt + DELETE.
  • Toggling the Num Lock key On or Off changes the behavior of other keys.
  • The AgentAssist Insert a Key button may not allow all key combinations. Some must be entered manually.
  • The Insert a Key button only enters capital letters. To type lowercase, enter the key manually.
  • The SHIFT key may not be recognized in automations if the Num Lock key is enabled. As a work-around, run your keyboard automation with Num Lock disabled. 
  • Due to a defect in Java, the UP, DOWN, RIGHT, and LEFT arrow keys may be recognized as NUMPAD8, NUMPAD2, NUMPAD 6, and NUMPAD4 (respecitvely) when Num Lock is enabled. As a work-around you can run keyboard automations with Num Lock disabled, or you can use a Workflow Automation shortcut that includes the command Send("+^{LEFT}") in place of LEFT
  • Shortcuts are not encrypted on the AgentAssist server. We do not recommend including passwords in shortcuts.

 

 

HTML Automations

HTML Automations are shortcuts that open browser-based forms designed to input data.

  • HTML automations can be written in any text editor, but we recommend that you use nVoq.Administrator to create and edit them.
  • HTML Automations NOT written in nVoq.Administrator must have the following tag in order to report usage of the shortcut correctly in Review & Correct, on the Shortcut Monitor report, and on the Shortcut Usage report:
    <script id="nvoqAutomationLib" src="js/nvoq-html-automation-library.js"></script>

Try It Yourself

  1. Click here to download a .csv file with example shortcut.
  2. Add the example shortcuts in nVoq.Administrator by uploading the .csv file. See Upload Shortcuts.
  3. Run the shortcut to try it out.
    1. Launch AgentAssist. If you're just opening AgentAssist for the first time, resources required to run HTML shortcuts will download (if your account is enabled to do so).
    2. Press the F4 key to open the popup shortcut menu and select this shortcut command:
      • Example HTML Automation
    3. Complete the HTML Automation form, then open Microsoft Word (or another text program) and place your cursor in that program before you click the "Paste" button in the HTML automation.


Enable HTML Automations for AgentAssist Users

The ability to launch HTML Automation shortcuts in AgentAssist must be configured in nVoq.Administrator for the account.

  • Go to the Accounts page and find the account for which you want to enable HTML Automations.
  • On Edit Account page for that account look towards the bottom of the page for three radio buttons under HTML Shortcuts.
  • Select HTML Shortcuts Version 2.
  • Click Save.
  • If the user was logged in when you made this change, they will need to close AgentAssist and re-launch it to pick up the change.

Known Limitations of HTML Automations

  • HTML Automation shortcuts that were NOT created in nVoq.Administrator may not report usage correctly on the Review & Correct page, on the Monitor Shortcuts report, or on the Shortcut Usage report. The code needs to include this tag in order to report usage of the shortcut: <script id="nvoqAutomationLib" src="js/nvoq-html-automation-library.js"></script>

 

 

 

Workflow Automations

Workflow automations combine the ability to insert text and simulate keyboard input with scripting capabilities to automate repetitive tasks.
Shortcuts that automate workflow are for you if:

  • Your work includes repetitive tasks
  • You want to save time typing, opening web pages, launching applications and files, filling in repetitive information
  • You want to be able to complete multiple tasks with a single command

Try It Yourself

  1. Click here to download a .csv file with example shortcuts.
  2. Add the example shortcuts in nVoq.Administrator by uploading the .csv file. See Upload Shortcuts.
  3. Run the shortcuts to try them out.
    1. Launch AgentAssist. 
    2. Press the F4 key to open the popup shortcut menu and select this shortcut command:
      • My Message
      • Request Input
      • Run Notepad
      • Run Then Send
      • Run Then Send Fast
      • Shell Execute

Getting Started with Workflow Automations

AgentAssist is the only software required to use workflow automations. Below is information to help you learn to write workflow automations.

  • Workflow automations are built on AutoIt software. Scripts can be written in any text editor, and there are several tools available to help. See www.autoitscript.com for examples, tutorials, function lists, documentation, and tools for writing scripts.
  • An AutoIt editor is available in AgentAssist. Press Ctrl + ? (the Help icon), then select AU3 Editor or AU3Info for the window information utility.
  • See also Known Limitations of Workflow Automations

Syntax at a Glance

Workflow automations are written using a BASIC-like scripting language. This table provides a few examples of workflow automation syntax.

I want to...

Add a comment to a script

Example Code Fragment: ; a semicolon indicates a comment

Note: Use a semicolon at the start of each line in a comment.

 

Start a program

Example Code Fragment: run ("notepad.exe")

Note: The run function can open programs such as Notepad.

 

Open a web page

Example Code Fragment: shellexecute ("www.nvoq.com")

Note: The shellexecute function can open a web page in your default web browser.

 

Open a file

Example Code Fragment: shellexecute ("C:\tmp\my_example.docx")

Note: The shellexecute function can open a file.

 

Simulate keyboard input

Example Code Fragment: send ("Hello {ENTER}")

Note: The send function can simulate typing, including keys such as ENTER or TAB.

 

Simulate repeated keyboard input

Example Code Fragment: send ("{TAB 4}")

Note: The send function can simulate typing the same key multiple times.

 

Simulate keyboard input of reserved characters

Example Code Fragment: send ("Use reserved characters like #, and !" , 1 )

Note: Function parameters configure the behavior of functions. In this example, reserved characters are sent as literals using the send function 1 parameter.

 

Simulate keyboard input and dynamic data

Example Code Fragment: send ("Thank you, " & $myName)

Note: Variables are supported and can be combined with stock text. See also Environment Variables.

 

Quickly simulate keyboard input

Example Code Fragment: 

AutoItSetOption ("SendKeyDownDelay", 0)

AutoItSetOption ("SendKeyDelay", 0)

send("Here is a block of plain text")

Note: Options such as AutoItSetOption configure the behavior of your script.

 

Pause for a certain amount of time before doing the next action in a script

Example Code Fragment: sleep (3000)

Note: This sleep function hard codes a 3 second pause.

 

Paste Text from Clipboard

Example Code Fragment: send ("^v")

Note: If text is not already on the clipboard, you may have to add a sleep command like sleep ("100") before this command in the code.

 
Wait for a particular window to open before doing the next action in a script

Example Code Fragment: WinWaitActive ("Gmail: Email from Google")

Note: The WinWaitActive function dynamically pauses the script until a named window is open and active.

 

About Timeouts

  • By default, workflow automations timeout and exit after 10 minutes. The timeout is a fail-safe mechanism to prevent user-abandoned or improperly written scripts from continuing to run, consuming resources on the AgentAssist user’s computer.
  • In most cases, AutoIt functions provide timeout parameters that are appropriate for the function. For example, the MsgBox function includes a timeout parameter that causes it to exit after a specified time without user intervention.
  • You can configure a script timeout by adding a single line comment with this keyword: ;nvoq-timeout-seconds: <seconds> 
    (For example: ;nvoq-timeout-seconds: 30  causes a script to exit after 30 seconds)
    • The comment can be added anywhere in the script.
    • It must be on a line by itself.
    • To disable the timeout entirely: ;nvoq-timeout-seconds: 0
  • As a fail safe, scripts are now automatically terminated when the user exits AgentAssist. However, use caution when disabling the timeout as there may be unintended consequences.


Leverage Your Work with #include Statements

Use #include statements to refer to standard scripts included with AgentAssist and your custom scripts. 

Example #include Statements
  • Use double quotes -OR- angled brackets around the file name.

#include <GUIConstantsEx.au3>

#include "GUIConstantsEx.au3"

  • To refer to a custom script, make it into a AgentAssist shortcut and reference it by name.

#include <my shortcut command.au3>

#include "my shortcut command.au3"

  • Be sure to include the .au3 file extension.
  • The #include-once keyword specifies that include file(s) should only be included once. 
The AutoIt Standard Script Library

The AutoIt standard library of scripts is downloaded to the user’s computer when AgentAssist is launched, and removed when the user exits AgentAssist. To see which scripts are included in the library, go to: %userprofile%\AppData\Local\temp\sayit_shortcuts\Include 

Known Limitations of Workflow Automations

  • Workflow automations have a 900,000 character limit including files referenced with #include statements.
  • Excel supports a maximum number of 32,767 characters per cell.
  • Exiting AgentAssist terminates any workflow automations that may still be running.