Access keys are a comprehensive means of navigating the entire UI.

• When assigning access keys, choose a letter as close to the beginning of the label as possible, preferably the first letter.
  
• Avoid duplicating access key assignments on the same surface. Duplication confuses users at best; at worst, it prevents them from accessing the control.
  
• To aid the visibility of access keys, avoid assigning them to the following characters (from most problematic to least problematic):
  
  • Letters that are only one pixel wide, such as i, l, a period (.), or a colon (:)
    
  • Letters with descenders (such as j, g, q, y, j, and p)
    
  • Letters that are next to a letter that has a descender
    
• The following table lists the recommended access key assignments for common commands in menus and on command buttons.
  

See Also