Have to press alt-f hotkey twice?

JimmXinu · 10-13-2026, 02:16 PM

Nitpick that I've been seeing for several versions now on win10, including current 9.16:

While editing a file inside an epub, I press alt-f wanting File on the main menu bar -- but I have to press alt-f twice before it works. Same with alt-e for Edit.

But all the other main bar menus (T for Tools, etc) pop up with only one press of their hotkey.

Another weirdness I just noticed: only left alt key works for main menu bar hotkeys--right alt just puts 'f' or whatever in the text.

BetterRed · 10-13-2026, 05:33 PM

Can reproduce Alt+f glitch - for me it's because of a 'clash' with Text Search→Find

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Can't reproduce Alt+e glitch - but I suspect it will be something similar.

BR

kovidgoyal · 10-14-2026, 10:19 AM

1) its how alt shortcuts behave when there is more than one match for a letter
2) its probably because right alt is altgr and used for composition rather than actual alt in your keyboard

JimmXinu · 10-14-2026, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

1) its how alt shortcuts behave when there is more than one match for a letter
2) its probably because right alt is altgr and used for composition rather than actual alt in your keyboard

Found it -- Alt-F is first going to the 'Find' button in the "Saved searches" panel. Alt-E is going to "Edit search" on the same panel. Even when that panel is underneath "File browser" or "ToC" panels.

Bit weird, but at least it's explained, thanks.

As for right alt, I run US English Win10 on a US English laptop. I don't think my right alt should be an altgr. Not sure how I would even tell. Holding it and typing just gives normal letters.

Both alt keys show up the same when setting custom shortcuts, but only the left one works, regardless of which I set the shortcut with. So it's only being treated as a different key part of the time.

I'm okay ignoring this, though.

10-13-2026, 02:16 PM	#1
JimmXinu Plugin Developer Posts: 7,666 Karma: 5010733 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Midwest USA Device: Kobo Clara Colour running KOReader	Have to press alt-f hotkey twice? Nitpick that I've been seeing for several versions now on win10, including current 9.16: While editing a file inside an epub, I press alt-f wanting File on the main menu bar -- but I have to press alt-f twice before it works. Same with alt-e for Edit. But all the other main bar menus (T for Tools, etc) pop up with only one press of their hotkey. Another weirdness I just noticed: only left alt key works for main menu bar hotkeys--right alt just puts 'f' or whatever in the text.

10-13-2026, 05:33 PM	#2
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 22,870 Karma: 34252730 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	Can reproduce Alt+f glitch - for me it's because of a 'clash' with Text Search→Find Can't reproduce Alt+e glitch - but I suspect it will be something similar. BR Last edited by BetterRed; 10-13-2026 at 06:35 PM.

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10-14-2026, 10:19 AM	#3
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 46,550 Karma: 29634066 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	1) its how alt shortcuts behave when there is more than one match for a letter 2) its probably because right alt is altgr and used for composition rather than actual alt in your keyboard