Can't assign the ESC key in 12.20 + where is UEDIT32.kbd?

[JSS3rd]

I have been using UltraEdit since 1997, and have always been able to assign the ESC key to FileClose in Configuration's Key Mapping section. After upgrading to v12.2 this morning, I am unable to do so.

Also, I have assigned certain key combinations to various menu commands which had no keyboard shortcuts assigned. They have been saved, as the menus reflect the key assignments, but there is no UEDIT32.kbd file on my computer, as Help > Keymapping indicates there should be.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Mofi]

For the ESC key problem please contact IDM support by email. The ESC key clears the new key field in the key mapping configuration dialog and that's maybe the reason why you can't assign it anymore.

The format of the binary file storing the key mapping configuration has changed to support multi-key assignments. So the file is named now ini-name.uek to support multiple installations of different versions of UltraEdit like the IDM support need and I too. The help should be updated. I will report this help mistake today because I'm already writing on a help mistakes report.

[JSS3rd]

For the ESC key problem please contact IDM support by email. The ESC key clears the new key field in the key mapping configuration dialog and that's maybe the reason why you can't assign it anymore.

I'm probably going to have to revert to the last version I was using (12.10a), as this is an important consideration for me. I don't have much hope that IDM will change things just for me ... that was much more likely years ago when UEdit was IDM's only product, and Ian responded to emails himself.

The format of the binary file storing the key mapping configuration has changed to support multi-key assignments. So the file is named now ini-name.uek to support multiple installations of different versions of UltraEdit like the IDM support need and I too. The help should be updated. I will report this help mistake today because I'm already writing on a help mistakes report.

Vielen dank, Mofi. Tschüss.

Jim

[Mofi]

I will report IDM that assigning the ESC key is not possible anymore. I think the IDM developers can easily change it. If the ESC key is pressed and the current key entering field is not empty, ESC clears the field. But if ESC is pressed when the upper key entering field has the focus and is already empty, the ESC should be interpreted as new hot key.

I also tested what happens with the ESC key assignment to command FileClose if updating/converting from a pre v12.20 uedit32.kbd to v12.20 uedit32.uek. Nothing bad because the ESC key assignment is still assigned to the command. The conversion is done perfect. If you still have the uedit32.kbd file or an UE prior v12.20, make the ESC assignment with the previous version. Than delete existing uedit32.uek, copy the uedit32.kbd to the INI directory and start UE v12.20. It will convert the .kbd file to .uek without any key assignment loss including the ESC key assignment.

I also looked which ID the command FileClose has and how to change the existing key assignment to ESC by opening the uedit32.uek into UltraEdit in hex mode and replacing the existing assignment (Ctrl+F4) with the code for ESC.

The command FileClose with key assignment Ctrl+F4 has following hex code:

2B E1 00 00 00 00 00 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
73 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
00 00 00 00 2B E1 00 00

Modify 01 to 00 and 73 to 1B, save the file uedit32.uek, close UltraEdit and restart it. Now ESC is assigned to command FileClose. You can assign now Ctrl+F4 or any other key additionally to FileClose. Please check after this hack if no other key is also assigned to ESC. Press the button Show Key Mapping in Editor in the key mapping configuration dialog, close the dialog with Cancel and search for ESC in the file. Only the FileClose command should have ESC.

[JSS3rd]

Mofi ...

I will report IDM that assigning the ESC key is not possible anymore. I think the IDM developers can easily change it.

I've already had a couple of email exchanges with Troy at IDM, and he said the same thing.

If you still have the uedit32.kbd file or an UE prior v12.20, make the ESC assignment with the previous version. Than delete existing uedit32.uek, copy the uedit32.kbd to the INI directory and start UE v12.20. It will convert the .kbd file to .uek without any key assignment loss including the ESC key assignment.

FWIW, I erred when I said I've had the ESC key assigned to "FileClose" ... instead, it's always been assigned to "FileExit".

Over the past several hours I've tried your suggestion several times, with both upgrades and with clean installs of 12.20. Even though the ESC key assignment is always shown in 12.20's Configuration > Keymapping, it doesn't always work (not within an installation, but from installation to installation) ... sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. There's absolutely no consistency.

Press the button Show Key Mapping in Editor in the key mapping configuration dialog, close the dialog with Cancel and search for ESC in the file. Only the FileClose command should have ESC.

Even without hacking the file ESC is shown as assigned to "FileExit", even when it doesn't work.

[Mofi]

I've already had a couple of email exchanges with Troy at IDM, and he said the same thing.

I got also the answer from Troy, that you have contacted already IDM. So I close that thread for me.

FileExit instead of FileClose makes a big difference. ESC is used in many dialogs and also in main window when the output window is open and the config option ESC key hides output window when visible at Editor - Advanced is checked.

I think, ESC will also not work when you press only the ALT key without any other key by mistake because then the system menu has the focus.

What is the system menu? Press shortly ALT and then Return (without ALT) and you will see it or click with left mouse once on the application icon (UE) in the title bar. A double click on the application icon in the title bar closes also any Windows application with a system menu like the default windows application hot key Alt+F4.