Object inspector: component tree not part of focus chain

[fulltimedev]

I did not find a way to select a specific component in the object inspector with the keyboard only. One can filter the components shown in the tree but has to grab the mouse to select any (if I do not miss something). As it appears the component tree is not part of the focus chain. Was this a deliberate decision?

[n7800]

I'm missing this too, and I have a draft patch for it. Just need to decide which keys will do what, so as not to cause conflicts and save useful shortcuts for the future. I don't remember where I left off, I'm busy with other things right now.

[n7800]

From your question in https://forum.lazarus.freepascal.org/index.php/topic,74870.msg589539.html#msg589539

Short follow up question: when in object inspector, how to focus the tree (with the keyboard)? With Alt+m I can navigate to the components filter but a Tab afterwards sends me pack to the properties skipping the component tree.

Yes, the [Tab] key is currently used for "clever" navigation between properties. In short: press [Tab] and focus will move to the property names column, then start typing the property name, and focus will immediately move to it.

For example, to quickly jump to the "Name" property, press [Tab] and type "N".

[JuhaManninen]

Another missing feature in the component tree is changing Z-order by drag'n'drop.
Drag'n'drop works for changing parent.

[Martin_fr]

Another missing feature in the component tree is changing Z-order by drag'n'drop.
Drag'n'drop works for changing parent.

And by key.

You currently must select it on the form (or select in the tree, and the focus the design form without changing selection). Then you have ctrl-pg/up/down

[fulltimedev]

Another issue I tripped over: When in the form designer you can focus the object inspector with F11. But is there a key to go back to the form designer? As I understand it, F11 is supposed to toggle between these two views, but pressing it in the object inspector seems to do nothing.

[JuhaManninen]

Yes, a good point about F11. The designer and OI are closely related. The key should toggle back and forth just like F12 toggles between designer and editor.

[n7800]

I did not find a way to select a specific component in the object inspector with the keyboard only.

By the way, as a workaround, you can select a component in the Designer using the [Tab]/[Arrow]/[Esc] keys. The latter is used to select the parent component.