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Customizing Menus and Shortcut Keys

A keyboard accelerator allows you to select a menu command or button by pressing ALT+<single letter>. For example, to open the Edit menu, press ALT+E. You can rearrange and modify toolbar buttons, menus, and menu commands by using the Customize dialog box. Instructions are provided for changing the settings using the mouse and using only the keyboard.

Keyboard accelerators for stored procedures using the Ctrl key can be created from the Keyboard page of the Tools/Options dialog box.

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Opening the Keyboard Accelerator Dialog Box Using the Mouse

To access the dialog box for assigning or changing a keyboard accelerator (using the mouse)

  1. On the Tools menu, click Customize.

  2. Make sure the toolbar you want to change is visible.

    1. In the Customize dialog box, click the Toolbars tab.

    2. Select the check box for the toolbar you want to display.

  3. In the Customize dialog box, click the Commands tab.

Changing a Toolbar Buttons Accelerator Key Using the Mouse

To assign or change a toolbar button's keyboard accelerator (using the mouse)

  1. Click the button on the toolbar.

  2. In the Customize dialog box, on the Commands tab, click Modify Selection.

  3. In the Name box on the shortcut menu, type a name for the toolbar button with an ampersand (&) before the letter that you want as the keyboard accelerator.

  4. Press ENTER.

  5. In the Customize dialog box, click Close.

Changing a Menu Commands Accelerator Key Using the Mouse

To assign or change a menu command's keyboard accelerator (using the mouse)

  1. Click the menu name on the menu bar or toolbar.

  2. Click the menu command.

  3. In the Customize dialog box, click Modify Selection.

  4. In the Name box on the shortcut menu, type a name for the menu command with an ampersand (&) before the letter that you want as the keyboard accelerator.

  5. Press ENTER.

  6. In the Customize dialog box, click Close.

Opening the Keyboard Accelerator Dialog Box Using the Keyboard

To access the dialog box for assigning or changing a keyboard accelerator (using the keyboard)

  1. Press ALT+T, then type C, to open the Customize dialog box.

  2. Make sure the toolbar you want to change is visible.

    1. In the Customize dialog box, press ALT+B to show the Toolbars tab.

    2. Use the arrow keys to select the toolbar you want to display, then SPACE to select the check box.

  3. In the Customize dialog box, press ALT+C to display the Commands tab.

Changing a Toolbar Buttons Accelerator Key Using the Keyboard

To assign or change a toolbar button's keyboard accelerator (using the keyboard)

  1. Press ALT+R to display the Rearrange Commands dialog box.

  2. In the Rearrange Commands dialog box, use the arrow keys to select Toolbar.

  3. Tab to the Toolbar list, and use the arrow keys to select the toolbar that contains the button you want to change, and then press ENTER.

  4. Tab to the Controls list, and use the arrow keys to select the button you want to change.

  5. Press ALT+M, to select Modify Selection.

  6. Tab to the Name box on the shortcut menu, type a name for the toolbar button with an ampersand (&) before the letter that you want as the keyboard accelerator.

  7. Press ENTER.

  8. Tab to the Close button, and then press ENTER.

Changing a Menu Commands Accelerator Key Using the Keyboard

To assign or change a menu command's keyboard accelerator (using the keyboard)

  1. Press ALT+R to display the Rearrange Commands dialog box.

  2. Tab to Menu Bar and then use the arrow keys to click the menu you want in the Menu Bar list, and then press ENTER.

  3. Tab to the Controls list, and use the arrow keys to select the button you want to change.

  4. Press ALT+M, to select Modify Selection.

  5. Tab to the Name box on the shortcut menu, and type a name for the toolbar button with an ampersand (&) before the letter that you want as the keyboard accelerator.

  6. Press ENTER.

  7. In the Customize dialog box, click Close.

Creating a Keyboard Accelerator for a Stored Procedure

To create a keyboard accelerator for a stored procedure

  1. On the Tools menu, click Options.

  2. On the Keyboard page, select an unused keyboard combination in the Shortcut list.

  3. In the Stored Procedure box, type the stored procedure name, and then click OK.

Adding a New Item to the Menu

To add a new item to the menu

  1. On the Tools menu, click Options.

  2. In the Customize dialog box, on the Commands tab, click New Menu.

  3. On the Commands box, drag New Menu to the menu bar and drop it where you want the new menu to appear.

  4. On the menu, right-click New Menu, and in the Name box, type a name for the new menu.

  5. In the Customize dialog box, select category such as File, and select a command such as Open File. Drag the command to the new menu. As you point to the new menu, the menu will expand. Drop the command onto the expanded menu.

  6. In the Customize dialog box, click Close.

Note

Some commands are available only when SQL Server Management Studio is displaying relevant content. If no commands on the menu are available, the menu item will not be available.