I have a question regarding use of an external keyboard with the iOS version of Scrivener. Considering the myriad keyboard shortcuts built into the app (and I’m grateful for that), was the app designed so that a user doesn’t have to touch the screen at all if the iPad/iPhone was connected to a keyboard? I tried to go completely touchscreen-free on iOScriv, but found I couldn’t do it entirely. For example, I was able to navigate through different documents in the binder but there doesn’t seem to be a way to get into the editor without touching the screen.
Any insight into the design philosophy of the external keyboard would be most appreciated. I love, love, LOVE this app. Thank you.
Not a developer, but they did put this up as an answer to “what keyboard shortcuts exist in iOS Scrivener”. The answer to your question should be self-evident as you try to navigate the interface with those shortcuts as your guide.
Also, to see at least some of the shortcuts, press and hold the CMD key on your external keyboard; some will pop-up in an overlay. It’s context-sensitive, if I recall correctly, so only some of the relevant shortcuts for any given task will be available (such as when you are editing a document vs. viewing the cork board).
As for your specific example, CMD-O opens the document associated with the currently selected index card (in cork board mode) and puts you in edit mode. Maybe that will work if you’re just navigating the binder? I don’t have an external keyboard handy to test, so sorry in advance if that doesn’t work.
I’ve been using Scrivener iOS on and off since it’s first public beta, always as a short time substitute for the desktop version, and been very happy with it. This is the first time that I, forced by circumstances has been using it for days for my principal writing. Still very happy. I’m using an external keyboard, and have found that there are enough shortcuts to make my writing experience on my iPad just as smooth as on my MacBook.
One little thing bothers me though. I haven’t found a keyboard shortcut to shift focus from the binder to the editor (or vice versa). Is there a way to shift the focus to the editor and start writing, without touching the iPad screen?
I wonder about the exact same thing! If you find the solution, please share:)
I also struggle to find the shortcut for document fullscreen.
Anyone have an idea?
I started using scrivener for organising my textual existence. I have a license for windows but mostly use scrivener on my Ipad Pro form 2022.
I’m really stuck trying to figure out a workflow where I navigate a project using the keyboard. Obviously without having to touch the display for basic functionality since that is distracting as hell.
I’m afraid the following functions/navigation can’t be done via shorcuts the iPad (please, please correct me!):
– when in edior: move focus to binder
– when in inspector: close the insepctor/press done (though with my logi pebbles its possbile by pressing ESC)
It is absolutely driving me insane, that i can’t get basic navigation done. That kind of makes all other shortcuts pointless, since I have to interrupt my flow to reach for the display to do touch controls anyways.
Pretty much anything I found an leave it here for someone going down the same searchrabbithole:
I figured out the following shorcuts:
–in binder navigate between documents: Arrow keys.
– in binder enter document: tab (very nice but how to return to the binder???)
–in editor: jump between adjacent documents using command + option + up an down arrow key
– create new document: cmd + N
– change title: – open the inspector pressing option + command + I. (can switch between title and synopsis using tab here) (but how to confirm that you’re done though???)
In case there really is no shortcut to navigate into the binder: please, please add it. And opinion: It is not enough to be ableb to move up and down between adjacent douments. I want to quickly organise a structure with my fingertips and flow state of mind. I think that what this programm is about. Not being able to do it feels like being handicapped.
Since this is somewhat potentially a critique: The app is really neat otherwise, indeed so much so that I’m willing to try to solve my issue via a forum which is a first for me.
If so: Please add it… also acitvating the editign in the binder should be possible by keyboard. Having to fumble around like a one fingured creature is really annoying. I mean it is great to have it for when I don’t have a keyboard available, but that also doesn’t seem to be the primary usecase for this.