Mastering keyboard shortcuts and productivity techniques significantly improves your efficiency in the ISPF editor. Function keys (PF keys) provide quick access to common operations, while line shortcuts enable rapid line-level edits. This tutorial covers essential keyboard shortcuts, function key assignments, line command shortcuts, and productivity tips to help you work faster and more efficiently.
Learning shortcuts reduces the need to type full commands and navigate menus, making editing faster and more intuitive. This tutorial provides practical shortcuts and tips you can use immediately to improve your editing productivity.
Function Keys (PF Keys)
Function keys provide quick access to common editor operations.
Common Function Keys
Essential function keys in the editor:
PF1: Help - Displays help information
PF2: Split - Splits the screen for multiple views
PF3: End/Exit - Exits current panel or ends operation
PF7: Up/Scroll Up - Scrolls backward in the file
PF8: Down/Scroll Down - Scrolls forward in the file
PF9: Swap - Swaps between split screens
PF10: Left - Scrolls left (for wide files)
PF11: Right - Scrolls right (for wide files)
PF12: Cancel - Cancels current operation
Navigation Function Keys
Keys for navigating files:
PF7: Scroll up (backward in file)
PF8: Scroll down (forward in file)
PF10: Scroll left (for files wider than screen)
PF11: Scroll right (for files wider than screen)
Screen Management Keys
Keys for managing the display:
PF2: Split screen (view multiple files or sections)
PF9: Swap between split screens
PF3: End/Exit (close current view or exit)
Help and Cancel Keys
Keys for help and cancellation:
PF1: Help (context-sensitive help)
PF12: Cancel (cancel current operation)
Line Command Shortcuts
Line commands provide quick access to line-level operations.
Common Line Commands
Essential line commands:
I: Insert - Inserts a new line
D: Delete - Deletes a line
R: Repeat - Repeats/duplicates a line
M: Move - Marks line(s) for moving
C: Copy - Marks line(s) for copying
A: After - Places moved/copied lines after target
B: Before - Places moved/copied lines before target
O: Overlay - Overlays/replaces line content
X: Exclude - Hides lines from display
Using Line Commands
To use line commands:
Place the command character in the line number area
Position it next to the target line
Press Enter to execute
Multiple commands can be placed before pressing Enter
Line Command Examples
Quick line operations:
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I 000001 (Insert line above line 1)
D 000002 (Delete line 2)
R 000003 (Repeat/duplicate line 3)
M 000004 (Mark line 4 for moving)
A 000010 (Place moved lines after line 10)
Command Line Shortcuts
Command abbreviations speed up command entry.
Common Abbreviations
Frequently used abbreviations:
F: FIND (instead of typing FIND)
C: CHANGE (when unambiguous)
S: SAVE (instead of typing SAVE)
CAN: CANCEL (abbreviation for CANCEL)
B: BOUNDS (when unambiguous)
Using Abbreviations
Abbreviations make commands faster:
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Command ===> F PROCEDURE (instead of FIND PROCEDURE)
Command ===> S (instead of SAVE)
Command ===> CAN (instead of CANCEL)
Navigation Shortcuts
Efficient navigation techniques.
Scrolling
Quick scrolling methods:
PF7: Scroll up one screen
PF8: Scroll down one screen
UP: Scroll up (primary command)
DOWN: Scroll down (primary command)
TOP: Jump to top of file
BOTTOM: Jump to bottom of file
Jumping to Lines
Quick ways to jump to specific lines:
Type line number on command line and press Enter
Use FIND to locate text and jump to it
Use LOCATE command
Productivity Tips
Practical tips to improve your editing efficiency.
Master Function Keys
Tips for using function keys:
Learn the most common function keys (PF3, PF7, PF8)
Use PF keys instead of typing commands when possible
Customize function keys to match your workflow
Keep function key labels visible for reference
Use Line Commands Efficiently
Tips for line commands:
Master common line commands (I, D, M, C)
Place multiple line commands before pressing Enter
Use line commands for quick edits
Combine line commands for complex operations
Learn Command Abbreviations
Tips for abbreviations:
Learn common command abbreviations
Use abbreviations to type commands faster
Be aware of ambiguous abbreviations
Practice until abbreviations become automatic
Use FIND Before CHANGE
Workflow tip:
Use FIND to locate text before using CHANGE
Verify matches before replacing
This prevents unintended replacements
Builds confidence in your changes
Save Frequently
Best practice:
Save your work regularly (use PF3 or SAVE)
Don't wait until the end to save
Save before risky operations
Protect your work from loss
Use Split Screen
Productivity technique:
Use PF2 to split the screen
View multiple files simultaneously
Compare files side by side
Copy content between files easily
Customize Your Environment
Personalization tips:
Customize function key assignments
Set up editor profiles
Configure display preferences
Create macros for repetitive tasks
Learn Keyboard Navigation
Navigation efficiency:
Use function keys for scrolling
Learn to jump to specific lines quickly
Master cursor movement
Use FIND for text-based navigation
Advanced Shortcuts
Advanced techniques for power users.
Combining Operations
You can combine operations:
Place multiple line commands on different lines
Execute all with a single Enter
Combine primary commands with line commands
Use function keys with commands
Macro Shortcuts
Using macros for shortcuts:
Create macros for repetitive tasks
Invoke macros quickly from command line
Assign macros to function keys if supported
Build a library of useful macros
Customizing Shortcuts
You can customize function key assignments.
Customizing Function Keys
To customize function keys:
Go to ISPF Settings (Option 0)
Navigate to function key settings
Modify function key assignments
Save changes to your profile
Benefits of Customization
Customizing provides:
Shortcuts that match your workflow
Faster access to your most-used operations
Personalized editing environment
Improved productivity
Common Workflows
Efficient workflows using shortcuts.
Quick Edit Workflow
For quick edits:
Open file (Option 2, specify file)
Navigate using PF7/PF8 or FIND
Make edits using line commands
Save using PF3 or SAVE
Search and Replace Workflow
For search and replace:
Use FIND to locate text (F text)
Review matches
Use CHANGE to replace (C old new)
Save changes
Multi-File Workflow
For working with multiple files:
Open first file
Use PF2 to split screen
Open second file in split
Use PF9 to swap between files
Copy or compare as needed
Best Practices
Following best practices maximizes productivity:
Learn Gradually: Master a few shortcuts at a time
Practice Regularly: Use shortcuts until they become automatic
Customize Thoughtfully: Customize to match your workflow
Use Consistently: Use shortcuts consistently for muscle memory
Combine Techniques: Combine shortcuts for complex operations
Stay Updated: Learn new shortcuts as you discover them
Share Knowledge: Share useful shortcuts with colleagues
Document Customizations: Keep notes on your customizations
Explain Like I'm 5: Keyboard Shortcuts
Think of keyboard shortcuts like special buttons on a remote control:
Function Keys (PF Keys) are like the numbered buttons on a remote. Each button does something special—button 3 turns off the TV (like PF3 exits), button 7 changes the channel up (like PF7 scrolls up), and button 8 changes the channel down (like PF8 scrolls down). Instead of going through menus, you just press the button!
Line Commands are like quick stickers you put on lines. You put an "I" sticker to add a line, a "D" sticker to delete a line, and then press Enter to make all the stickers work at once. It's like marking things with special stickers that tell the editor what to do!
Command Abbreviations are like nicknames. Instead of saying "FIND" every time, you can just say "F" and the editor knows what you mean. It's like having a nickname that's faster to say!
So keyboard shortcuts are like having special buttons, stickers, and nicknames that make doing things faster and easier!
Practice Exercises
Complete these exercises to reinforce your understanding of shortcuts:
Exercise 1: Function Key Practice
Practice function keys: use PF7 and PF8 to scroll through files, use PF3 to exit, use PF2 to split screen, and practice other function keys. Build familiarity with function key operations.
Exercise 2: Line Command Practice
Practice line commands: use I to insert lines, D to delete lines, R to repeat lines, M and C to move and copy lines, and practice combining line commands. Master line command usage.
Exercise 3: Command Abbreviations
Practice abbreviations: use F for FIND, S for SAVE, CAN for CANCEL, and other abbreviations. Learn to type commands faster using abbreviations.
Exercise 4: Navigation Shortcuts
Practice navigation: use function keys to scroll, jump to specific lines, use FIND to navigate, and practice efficient file navigation. Master navigation techniques.
Exercise 5: Workflow Integration
Practice workflows: combine shortcuts in real editing tasks, use shortcuts in your daily work, and build efficient editing workflows. Integrate shortcuts into your routine.