RTL should reverse keyboard arrow navigation

Forum for the PDF-XChange Editor - Free and Licensed Versions

Moderators: PDF-XChange Support, Daniel - PDF-XChange, Chris - PDF-XChange, Sean - PDF-XChange, Paul - PDF-XChange, Vasyl - PDF-XChange, Ivan - Tracker Software, Stefan - PDF-XChange

329
User
Posts: 75
Joined: Fri Jun 30, 2023 6:28 pm

RTL should reverse keyboard arrow navigation

Post by 329 »

When selecting right-to-left page layout, the keyboard shortcuts for navigation (right and left arrows) should be reversed too.
User avatar
Daniel - PDF-XChange
Site Admin
Posts: 11557
Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2018 6:52 pm

Re: RTL should reverse keyboard arrow navigation

Post by Daniel - PDF-XChange »

Hello, 329

I am not certain on the technical difficulties of this idea, but I have passed it along to the Dev team for consideration.

Kind regards,
Dan McIntyre - Support Technician
PDF-XChange Co. LTD

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Our Web site domain and email address has changed as of 26/10/2023.
https://www.pdf-xchange.com
Support@pdf-xchange.com
329
User
Posts: 75
Joined: Fri Jun 30, 2023 6:28 pm

Re: RTL should reverse keyboard arrow navigation

Post by 329 »

Thanks, Daniel
User avatar
Stefan - PDF-XChange
Site Admin
Posts: 19913
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2009 8:07 am

RTL should reverse keyboard arrow navigation

Post by Stefan - PDF-XChange »

:)
User avatar
Daniel - PDF-XChange
Site Admin
Posts: 11557
Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2018 6:52 pm

Re: RTL should reverse keyboard arrow navigation

Post by Daniel - PDF-XChange »

Hello,

Just a status update on this, for the time being it seems that this is not a priority. It has not been outright rejected, but I would not expect it to come along any time soon (perhaps in a few years...).

Our software is primarily based in LTR languages, Particularly English, and so the majority of our features (and clients) are using systems tailored to that. If we see some large demand for this functionality we may increase the priority, but for the time being, I am afraid things will remain as they are.

Kind regards,
Dan McIntyre - Support Technician
PDF-XChange Co. LTD

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Our Web site domain and email address has changed as of 26/10/2023.
https://www.pdf-xchange.com
Support@pdf-xchange.com
User avatar
rakunavi
User
Posts: 1819
Joined: Sat Sep 11, 2021 5:04 am

Re: RTL should reverse keyboard arrow navigation

Post by rakunavi »

Hello 329,

Even now, page movement can be matched with a shortcut key or mouse wheel if the pages are sorted in reverse order. In fact, I use this for some RTL-binding documents. The following method assumes that the binding setting in the document properties remains the default "Left to Right".

Page order can be sorted in reverse order with page label changes using JavaScript. Note that this script assumes execution on PDF-XChange Editor build 362 or later.

Code: Select all

this.setPageLabels(this.numPages-1, ["D", "", this.numPages]);
for (i = this.numPages-2; i >= 0; i--) this.movePage(i);
Named destinations can also be set for all pages to avoid confusion when specifying link destinations. Named destinations cannot be created with JavaScript, but can be easily created by performing the following steps before sorting pages in reverse order, for example

  1. Set bookmarks for all pages with the "Bookmarks Every Nth Page" feature
  2. Convert with the "Convert to Named Destination" feature
Although it is a last resort, after all this, even RTL-binding documents should be reasonably convenient to use.

  • sample.zip
Best regards,
rakunavi
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
TOP desires for PDFXCE
forum.pdf-xchange.com/viewtopic.php?t=39665 LassoTool
forum.pdf-xchange.com/viewtopic.php?t=38554 CmtGarbled
forum.pdf-xchange.com/viewtopic.php?t=37353 FulScrMultiMon
forum.pdf-xchange.com/viewtopic.php?t=41002 DisableTouchSelect
User avatar
Stefan - PDF-XChange
Site Admin
Posts: 19913
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2009 8:07 am

Re: RTL should reverse keyboard arrow navigation

Post by Stefan - PDF-XChange »

Hello rakunavi,

Many thanks for your suggestions!
I hope they are useful to 329.

Kind regards,
Stefan
329
User
Posts: 75
Joined: Fri Jun 30, 2023 6:28 pm

Re: RTL should reverse keyboard arrow navigation

Post by 329 »

Thanks rakunavi but (Daniel, Stefan) reversing the navigation shortcuts when the page layout is RTL should be simple enough, I think. Like a couple of lines of code, but maybe I am wrong.
User avatar
Stefan - PDF-XChange
Site Admin
Posts: 19913
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2009 8:07 am

Re: RTL should reverse keyboard arrow navigation

Post by Stefan - PDF-XChange »

Hello 329,

As Daniel said - it has not been rejected, but is low priority, so we do not have an estimate yet as to when this might be added. So please consider Rakunavi's suggestion for the time being!

Kind regards,
Stefan
329
User
Posts: 75
Joined: Fri Jun 30, 2023 6:28 pm

Re: RTL should reverse keyboard arrow navigation

Post by 329 »

So please consider Rakunavi's suggestion for the time being!
I don't understand how to apply it, unfortunately.
User avatar
Stefan - PDF-XChange
Site Admin
Posts: 19913
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2009 8:07 am

Re: RTL should reverse keyboard arrow navigation

Post by Stefan - PDF-XChange »

Hello 329,

I believe Rakunavi was suggesting that you use the JS he provided to reverse the page order, so that you can then navigate 'normally' in your file.
You can execute that code in the JS console (Ctrl + K to open it).

Kind regards,
Stefan