At Annotator, we are committed to accessibility and speed. Whether you are using assistive technology or simply prefer a mouse-free workflow, you can fully manage your digital notes using only your keyboard. This guide covers how to select text and trigger shortcuts to streamline your research.
New to our platform? Understanding the core difference between a quick highlight and a detailed note is key to a clean workflow. Check out our guide on Highlights vs. Annotations.
Step 1: Activate Annotator and Sign In
Ensure the Annotator extension is active on your current webpage or document. If you are using our LMS (Learning Management System) integration, this step is handled automatically. Otherwise, open the sidebar and log in to your account to enable saving functionality.
Step 2: Select Text Without a Mouse
To annotate, you first need to select text. Most modern browsers offer a “Caret Browsing” mode that allows you to navigate text with a cursor, similar to a word processor.
- Chrome & Firefox: Press F7 to turn on Caret Browsing. Use your arrow keys to move the cursor and hold Shift + Arrow Keys to highlight the text you want to capture.
- Safari: Use the built-in VoiceOver commands and Mac keyboard shortcuts to navigate and select document text.
- Screen Readers: If you are using NVDA, ensure you are in Focus Mode. For JAWS users, switch to Forms Mode to successfully select text for your notes.
Step 3: Trigger the Shortcut Keys
Once your text is selected, you don’t need to click a menu. Simply use these two essential Annotator hotkeys:
- Press “A”: Creates an Annotation. This automatically moves your keyboard focus to the editor sidebar so you can immediately begin typing your note.
- Press “H”: Creates a Highlight. This marks the text instantly without shifting your focus away from the document, perfect for rapid-fire reading.
Step 4: Draft and Save Your Entry
If you pressed “A”, your cursor will now be inside the Annotator text box. You can type your insights, add tags for organization, or use Markdown to format your text. When finished, tab to the “Post” button and hit Enter to save your work.
To learn how to style your notes, explore our comprehensive guide on Formatting Annotations with Markdown.