Shortcut Guide

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
       
       
       

Try It Yourself

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

• Example: C:\Windows\System32
• Example: C:\Windows\System32\notepad.exe

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.

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). 

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.

Try It Yourself

In a Firefox browser, open a new tab:

Alt F, T

In Windows 10, open onscreen keyboard:

WINDOWS Ctrl O

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

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.

• Alternatively, you can enter your key sequence manually. Some combinations are prohibited or must be entered manually. See Known Limitations.

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).

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.

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.

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