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Add UI customization to switch keyboard shortcuts for left-handed use

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01-19-2026 01:58 PM
Status: Needs Clarification
Labels (1)
StephenKCA
Occasional Contributor

The ArcGIS Pro framework uses a number of keyboard keys to change cursor navigation actions or activate functions. Some of the key-mouse combinations greatly speed efficient interaction with the software. For instance, holding down the C-key activates "Super Pan Tool Modifier", allowing the viewframe to be panned no matter what function is selected for the cursor; Z activates Zoom Continuous; X activates Zoom Out. These can be modified through the Keyboard Shortcuts dialogue (accessed by F12).

Some of the most core functions presume, by default, that the mouse is being operated with the right hand, so the keyboard keys fall naturally under the left hand. This is a good assumption for the 90% of the world that is right-handed, plus left-handers who choose to use the mouse right-handed. (The latter includes me, part of the time.) However, it forces those who use the mouse left-handed either to live with crossing their right hands to the left side of the keyboard or doing some involved remapping of the keyboard shortcuts, , which can only be saved on the machine they work on.

Esri should consider two changes to improve the software's utility for left-handed use:

1. Add a function to allow keyboard shortcuts to be saved / restored as a named entity.

UPDATED: This function exists as part of "Export and import customizations", which is accessed through Customize the Ribbon > Import/Export > Export customizations, documented here: https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/get-started/customize-the-ribbon.htm#ESRI_SECTION1_D41907B2... 

2. Review keyboard mappings that presume right-handed mouse use, and provide an alternative set of mappings (installed with the software as a UI customization file) better suited to left-handed mouse use.

This would spare left-handed mouse users from having to take the time to think through their own keyboard mappings, or at least give them a starting point for customization.

2 Comments
StephenKCA

I will add that the suggested solution could be helpful to Pro users no matter which hand is operating the mouse. Different workflows benefit from fast access to various functions. For instance, georeferencing maps involves flipping back and forth from map navigation to activating the Add Control Points function. It can also benefit from being able to turn the Control Point Table on and off quickly. Right now each of these requires mousing to the toolbar and clicking a button. Using a keystroke is faster and leaves the mouse cursor in one place. There are, of course, only so many keys on the keyboard. Being able to flip quickly to shortcuts oriented to a particular workflow, then back to a standard set of shortcuts, would be useful.

ValeriaChavez
Status changed to: Needs Clarification

Hi @StephenKCA 
Thank you for submitting this Idea. I see two separate pieces here and so I wanted to ask a couple of questions.


For your request to "Add a function to allow keyboard shortcuts to be saved / restored as a named entity", I'm wondering if there is something that doesn't work for your use case when it comes to exporting configurations to .proExportedUI files. You can read more about it in this page of the documentation.


If the .proExportedUI files do the trick, would you mind removing that piece from the Idea description?
If not, it would probably be best to log that piece as a separate Idea so that it is easier to track kudos from the community.


Looking forward to hearing from you!