Can Keyboard Shortcuts Improve Efficiency?

If you have just implemented Business Central, you might be asking yourself: "How do I get the most of my investment now?" Yes, processes may have improved and automated, platform is all-set for the future, we are in the cloud, etc. But are there any other things that could actually improve the business? Things that don’t require weeks or months of board approvals or never-ending inter-departmental meetings.

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The simple answer is, yes, there are more such ways than you would expect. And most are easier to implement than it seems. Many definitely don’t require much planning at all, and one such example only requires a user who is willing to try and learn one simple productivity trick. Learning, however, as we know must consist of 2 components - the student themselves and the teacher. When the teacher is obsessed with teaching and the student is willing to absorb, learned techniques will materialize beyond the student, onto the organization.

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You might be surprised, but Business Central coupled with a tool that every user has on their desk can increase productivity to levels usually ignored. Keyboard is much more than data entry tool. Although we use it to enter data such as names, dates, descriptions, etc. it is capable of controlling much more than that. The keyboard can also control the behavior, the actions, functions. Today most users I meet use a mouse, and at first glance there is nothing wrong with that. However, studies of our respected professor Arc Lent in the University of Dynamics have shown that using the keyboard instead of mouse, when possible, increases productivity by 700%. These values are obviously exaggerated, but in all honesty and truthfulness, speaking from my own experience, staying on your keyboard without having to reach the mouse seems to improve efficiency.

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When you are ready to post the invoice, instead of reaching for the mouse, try to use your keyboard. At first it may seem awkward and unusual as you have always used to click, but trust me on this one - have you ever seen an airline counter attendant use a mouse? No, their hands are always on the keyboard. Keyboard shortcuts are called shortcuts for a reason, and mouse shortcuts aren’t even a thing.

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Now that we have established the undisputed fact that shortcuts are better than no shortcuts, and shortcuts are meant to do things faster with the same expected outcome, let’s give our mouse some well-deserved rest. With our example of posting a Sales Order, press alt + H + P + P on your keyboard, you will see the prompt, press Enter on your keyboard. That’s it, you posted it. At this point, don’t give up. You will want to continue your relationship with the mouse, you will feel like your hand wants to be with it again and again. But the more you give your keyboard shortcuts a chance, the more it will change your perception.

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Another example is the famous Back button. How many times have you used your mouse to click that button, reaching the pointer again and again? Just press the esc key, your hand is already likely on the keyboard. Once you try these simple shortcuts, I promise you that your perception will materialize into reality. You will begin to believe in the secret of shortcuts.

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When you work with repetitive tasks, learn the shortcuts, they exist for a reason. Of course, your good old friend mouse is there, but shortcuts are better. Your keyboard is capable of so much more, so use this tool as intended and your work will be more enjoyable giving you and your mouse a chance to take a well-deserved break - hopefully your office has a ping pong table and instead of clicking your mouse you can spend that accumulated saved time to play a match with your CFO.

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