Keyboard shortcut

Keyboard configuration software allows users to create and assign macros to key combinations which can perform more complex sequences of actions.

The assignment process is referred to as mapping the actions to the keys, and changing them afterwards is therefore remapping.

Human-computer interaction experts also continue to design new types of shortcuts altogether, such as gestures on touchscreens and touchless interfaces.

Reference cards intended to be propped up in the user's workspace also exist for many applications.

In these commercial proprietary systems, the ability to change the default bindings and add custom ones can be limited, possibly even requiring a separate or third-party utility to perform the task, sometimes with workarounds like key remapping.

[15] Other systems, typically Unix and related, consider shortcuts to be a user's prerogative, and that they should be customizable to suit individual preference.

[17] Hardcore gamers often customize their key bindings in order to increase performance via faster reaction times.

The original Macintosh User Interface Guidelines defined a set of keyboard shortcuts that would remain consistent across application programs.

The shortcuts on these platforms (or on macOS) are not as strictly standardized across applications as on the early Macintosh user interface, where if a program did not include the function normally carried out by one of the standard keystrokes, guidelines stated that it should not redefine the key to do something else as it would potentially confuse users.

The key name may also be set off using special formatting (bold, italic, all caps, etc.)

For these, the usual notation is to list the keys names separated by plus signs or hyphens.

Default Emacs keybindings include Ctrl+X Ctrl+S to save a file or Ctrl+X Ctrl+B to view a list of open buffers.

A common backronym for Emacs is "Escape Meta Alt Ctrl Shift", poking fun at its use of many modifiers and extended shortcut sequences.