My DefaultKeyBinding.dict for Mac OS X

DefaultKeyBinding.dict

/* ~/Library/KeyBindings/DefaultKeyBinding.Dict

This file remaps the key bindings of a single user on Mac OS X 10.5 to more
closely match default behavior on Windows systems. This makes the Command key
behave like Windows Control key. To use Control instead of Command, either swap
Control and Command in Apple->System Preferences->Keyboard->Modifier Keys...
or replace @ with ^ in this file.

Here is a rough cheatsheet for syntax.
Key Modifiers
^ : Ctrl
$ : Shift
~ : Option (Alt)
@ : Command (Apple)
# : Numeric Keypad

Non-Printable Key Codes

Standard
Up Arrow:     \UF700        Backspace:    \U0008        F1:           \UF704
Down Arrow:   \UF701        Tab:          \U0009        F2:           \UF705
Left Arrow:   \UF702        Escape:       \U001B        F3:           \UF706
Right Arrow:  \UF703        Enter:        \U000A        ...
Insert:       \UF727        Page Up:      \UF72C
Delete:       \UF728        Page Down:    \UF72D
Home:         \UF729        Print Screen: \UF72E
End:          \UF72B        Scroll Lock:  \UF72F
Break:        \UF732        Pause:        \UF730
SysReq:       \UF731        Menu:         \UF735
Help:         \UF746

OS X
delete:       \U007F

For a good reference see http://osxnotes.net/keybindings.html.

NOTE: typically the Windows 'Insert' key is mapped to what Macs call 'Help'.
Regular Mac keyboards don't even have the Insert key, but provide 'Fn' instead,
which is completely different.
*/

{
    "@\UF72B"  = "moveToEndOfDocument:";                         /* Cmd  + End   */
    "~@\UF703" = "moveToEndOfDocument:";                         /* Cmd + Option + Right Arrow */

    "@$\UF72B" = "moveToEndOfDocumentAndModifySelection:";       /* Shift + Cmd  + End */

    "@\UF729"  = "moveToBeginningOfDocument:";                   /* Cmd  + Home  */
    "~@\UF702" = "moveToBeginningOfDocument:";                   /* Cmd + Option + Left Arrow */

    "@$\UF729" = "moveToBeginningOfDocumentAndModifySelection:"; /* Shift + Cmd  + Home */

    "\UF729"   = "moveToBeginningOfLine:";                       /* Home         */
    "~\UF702"  = "moveToBeginningOfLine:";                       /* Option + Left Arrow */

    "$\UF729"  = "moveToBeginningOfLineAndModifySelection:";     /* Shift + Home */
    "$~\UF702" = "moveToBeginningOfLineAndModifySelection:";     /* Shift + Option + Right Arrow */

    "\UF72B"   = "moveToEndOfLine:";                             /* End          */
    "~\UF703"  = "moveToEndOfLine:";                             /* Option + Right Arrow */

    "$\UF72B"  = "moveToEndOfLineAndModifySelection:";           /* Shift + End  */
    "$~\UF703" = "moveToEndOfLineAndModifySelection:";           /* Shift + Option + Left Arrow  */

    "\UF72C"   = "pageUp:";                                      /* PageUp       */
    "\UF72D"   = "pageDown:";                                    /* PageDown     */
    "$\UF728"  = "cut:";                                         /* Shift + Del  */
    "$\UF727"  = "paste:";                                       /* Shift + Ins */
    "@\UF727"  = "copy:";                                        /* Cmd  + Ins  */
    "$\UF746"  = "paste:";                                       /* Shift + Help */
    "@\UF746"  = "copy:";                                        /* Cmd  + Help (Ins) */

    "~j"       = "moveBackward:";                                /* Option + j */
    "~l"       = "moveForward:";                                 /* Option + l */
    "~i"       = "moveUp:";                                      /* Option + i */
    "~k"       = "moveDown:";                                    /* Option + k */

    "@~i"      = ("moveUp:","moveUp:","moveUp:","moveUp:","moveUp:","moveUp:","moveUp:","moveUp:",);                            /* Cmd + Option + j */
    "@~k"      = ("moveDown:","moveDown:","moveDown:","moveDown:","moveDown:","moveDown:","moveDown:","moveDown:",);                            /* Cmd + Option + j */

    "@\UF702"  = "moveWordBackward:";                            /* Cmd  + LeftArrow */
    "@~j"      = "moveWordBackward:";                            /* Cmd + Option + j */
    "@\U007F"  = "deleteWordBackward:";                          /* Cmd  + Backspace */

    "@\UF703"  = "moveWordForward:";                             /* Cmd  + RightArrow */
    "@~l"      = "moveWordForward:";                             /* Cmd + Option + l */
    "@\UF728"  = "deleteWordForward:";                           /* Cmd  + Delete */

    "@$\UF702" = "moveWordBackwardAndModifySelection:";          /* Shift + Cmd  + Leftarrow */
    "@$\UF703" = "moveWordForwardAndModifySelection:";           /* Shift + Cmd  + Rightarrow */
}

Nice mappings. I'm having no luck getting this to work on Sierra. Have you been able to get it to work?

no luck geting this to work on Sierra +1

Likewise, doesn't seem to work on Sierra.

While it's probably not the solution folks are looking for I ended up doing this in Keyboard Maestro.

Keyboard Maestro was a great suggestion, it is working well for me. I miss Karabiner but this will do for now

Using ~/Library/KeyBindings/DefaultKeyBinding.Dict to remap key bindings works for me under Sierra (10.12.5). Restarting a given app is required for the changes to take effect.

@ggriffin have you tested this in HighSierra as well?

I can confirm - works on HighSierra.

Working on HighSierra on mine too

works well for HighSierra! I was a bit confused that I need to create directory KeyBindings by myself, but it worked! And now I can use both cmd+c and ctrl+c. This is great, previously "Copy link" buttons didn't work for me and now they do! THANK YOU.

Also working on High Sierra for me -- thanks!! I prefer using these mappings over Karabiner elements because Karabiner elements screws with VMware Fusion and this does not.

Beautiful presentation of the code !!!

Have any of you had any problems for overload any shortcut with any application (for changing the system default keybindings) ?

Thanks !!!

This is what did (macOS Mojave):

{
    "~[" = (insertText:, "å");
    "~{" = (insertText:, "Å");
    "~'" = (insertText:, "ä");
    "~\"" = (insertText:, "Ä");
    "~;" = (insertText:, "ö");
    "~:" = (insertText:, "Ö");
}

Where can I find the full reference of actions, like "moveToBeginningOfLineAndModifySelection"?

Thanks!

@aserrallerios, some: http://xahlee.info/kbd/osx_keybinding_action_code.html

Following the suggestion of the author, switching Command by Control is a good one, however, to switch between applications and between guides got boring. Has anyone managed to solve this?

Works great in Mojave 10.14.5 - lifesaver :)

Not working for me :( I'm on Mojave 10.14.5 with a Microsoft Designer Keyboard and Brazilian layout (ABNT2)

Not working for me :( I'm on Mojave 10.14.5 with a Microsoft Designer Keyboard and Brazilian layout (ABNT2)

Did you follow the instructions properly? Go to Library folder in your home folder, not the library folder in the root. Create the folder KeyBindings and the file "DefaultKeyBinding.Dict", case sensitive. Then it should work. I have a Func Mechanical KB with Swedish layout (Pro)

Did you follow the instructions properly? Go to Library folder in your home folder, not the library folder in the root. Create the folder KeyBindings and the file "DefaultKeyBinding.Dict", case sensitive. Then it should work. I have a Func Mechanical KB with Swedish layout (Pro)

I indeed had copied to the Library folder in the root. It did work now! Thanks

10.14.5 (18F132) - Home/End to the beginning/end of the line is not working for me using the Mac base mail compose window, TextEdit, or in this message box. Does this work for you all in these situations?

Hint for people having problems: there are some unicode quotes mixed in with the ASCII quotes in the gist! I'm not sure if that's what fixed it for me, but I did replace the unicode quotes with ASCII quotes (among other things):

{
//  "^c"       = "copy:"; // ctrl-c
//  "^v"       = "paste:"; // ctrl-v
//  "^x"       = "cut:"; // ctrl-x
//  "^z"       = "undo:"; // ctrl-z
//  "^y"       = "redo:"; // ctrl-y
//  "^a"       = "selectAll:"; // ctrl-a
//  "^s"       = "saveDocument:"; // ctrl-s
//  "^$s"      = "saveDocumentAs:"; // ctrl-shift-s
//  "^n"       = "newDocument:"; // ctrl-n
//  "^o"       = "openDocument:"; // ctrl-o
//  "^p"       = "printDocument:"; // ctrl-p
  "\UF729"   = "moveToBeginningOfParagraph:"; // home
  "\UF72B"   = "moveToEndOfParagraph:"; // end
  "$\UF729"  = "moveToBeginningOfParagraphAndModifySelection:"; // shift-home
  "$\UF72B"  = "moveToEndOfParagraphAndModifySelection:"; // shift-end
  "^\UF729"  = "moveToBeginningOfDocument:"; // ctrl-home
  "^\UF72B"  = "moveToEndOfDocument:"; // ctrl-end
  "^\UF702"  = "moveWordLeft:"; // ctrl-left
  "^\UF703"  = "moveWordRight:"; // ctrl-right
  "^$\UF702" = "moveWordLeftAndModifySelection:"; // ctrl-shift-left
  "^$\UF703" = "moveWordRightAndModifySelection:"; // ctrl-shift-right
  "^$\UF729" = "moveToBeginningOfDocumentAndModifySelection:"; // ctrl-shift-home
  "^$\UF72B" = "moveToEndOfDocumentAndModifySelection:"; // ctrl-shift-end
}

Truly, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU for sharing this. In concert with a fix for home/end in terminal, I can feel my once incredible pain when forced to use Mac OS slowly melting away.

Working in Catalina (10.15 Beta) with no problem.

Exactly what I was looking for, can't wait to test it. Thanks for sharing this.

awesome!
Typing an IP on a keyboard with numpad was never this easy (since i switched from Windows to Mac :p)

{
   "#," = ("insertText:", ".");
}

Any way to make following work in terminal? Works everywhere great, but in terminal it does nothing except making some error noise or smth while using shortcuts. Thanks!

"@\UF702" = moveWordBackward:;          /* Cmd  + LeftArrow */
"@\UF703" = moveWordForward:;             /* Cmd  + RightArrow */

How do you replace simulate CMD-F with CTRL-F to search in a document or webpage.

I've tried this :

"^f" = "search:"; // ctrl-f

but it is not working. I need the right keyword in place of search. Thank you. 👍

How do you replace simulate CMD-F with CTRL-F to search in a document or webpage.

I've tried this :

"^f" = "search:"; // ctrl-f

but it is not working. I need the right keyword in place of search. Thank you. 👍

Why wouldn't you swap key modifier instead? If you after using PC layout first thing to do is to make ctrl behave as cmd in Keyboard > modifier keys. After this fewer remaps are required.
This way ctrl+[c,x,v,f,s] on pc keyboard works as you expect

How do you replace simulate CMD-F with CTRL-F to search in a document or webpage.
I've tried this :
"^f" = "search:"; // ctrl-f
but it is not working. I need the right keyword in place of search. Thank you. 👍

Why wouldn't you swap key modifier instead? If you after using PC layout first thing to do is to make ctrl behave as cmd in Keyboard > modifier keys. After this fewer remaps are required.
This way ctrl+[c,x,v,f,s] on pc keyboard works as you expect

I've tried but it doesn't meet my needs, because when I'm on the terminal, I do alot of CTRL+A, CTRL+E etc to move the cursor at the beginning of line, end of line, etc. Replacing CTRL by CMD via Key modifier intercept all those command line combinaisons.

I've tried but it doesn't meet my needs, because when I'm on the terminal, I do alot of CTRL+A, CTRL+E etc to move the cursor at the beginning of line, end of line, etc. Replacing CTRL by CMD via Key modifier intercept all those command line combinaisons.

Gotcha - try this. Keyboard > Shortcuts > App Shortcuts > add for all applications > menu title Find... > Keyboard shortcut ^F. It works for all the app using Find... as a menu option

I've tried but it doesn't meet my needs, because when I'm on the terminal, I do alot of CTRL+A, CTRL+E etc to move the cursor at the beginning of line, end of line, etc. Replacing CTRL by CMD via Key modifier intercept all those command line combinaisons.

Gotcha - try this. Keyboard > Shortcuts > App Shortcuts > add for all applications > menu title Find... > Keyboard shortcut ^F. It works for all the app using Find... as a menu option

Thank you it worked! I wasn't aware of that trick, I've just mapped several shorcuts in others applications too!

Hi, I have created a file with
{ "\UF729" = "moveToBeginningOfParagraph:"; // home "\UF72B" = "moveToEndOfParagraph:"; // end }

I'm really new to Mac but I think it is the right folder username/Library/KeyBindings/DefaultKeyBinding.dict because my Logitech keyboard gets confused when I log off and on (e.g. scrolling direction gets inverted).

Can you please help me?

Hi, I have created a file with
{ "\UF729" = "moveToBeginningOfParagraph:"; // home "\UF72B" = "moveToEndOfParagraph:"; // end }

I'm really new to Mac but I think it is the right folder username/Library/KeyBindings/DefaultKeyBinding.dict because my Logitech keyboard gets confused when I log off and on (e.g. scrolling direction gets inverted).

Can you please help me?

It's not gonna work if you put everything on one line - everything starting with home is a comment resulting in } being commented and breaking file. Try:

{ 
  "\UF72B" = "moveToEndOfParagraph:";       /* end */
  "\UF729" = "moveToBeginningOfParagraph:"; /* home */
}

Thank you very much! Unfortunately, it still doesn't work. Any other ideas? Rolandas Valantinas <notifications@github.com> schrieb am Fr., 3. Jan. 2020, 15:29:

…

Hi, I have created a file with { "\UF729" = "moveToBeginningOfParagraph:"; // home "\UF72B" = "moveToEndOfParagraph:"; // end } I'm really new to Mac but I think it is the right folder username/Library/KeyBindings/DefaultKeyBinding.dict because my Logitech keyboard gets confused when I log off and on (e.g. scrolling direction gets inverted). Can you please help me? It's not gonna work if you put everything on one line - everything starting with home is a comment resulting in } being commented and breaking file. Try: { "\UF72B" = "moveToEndOfParagraph:"; /* end */ "\UF729" = "moveToBeginningOfParagraph:"; /* home */ } — You are receiving this because you commented. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <https://gist.github.com/1e5e516df4e8032cbc3d?email_source=notifications&email_token=AOFXIMHQ626UVY4KJA54YOLQ35DV5A5CNFSM4HH4CLQ2YY3PNVWWK3TUL52HS4DFVNDWS43UINXW23LFNZ2KUY3PNVWWK3TUL5UWJTQAF62I6#gistcomment-3126415>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AOFXIMBNWWRNDLADDW4U4UDQ35DV5ANCNFSM4HH4CLQQ> .

Thank you very much! Unfortunately, it still doesn't work. Any other ideas? Rolandas Valantinas notifications@github.com schrieb am Fr., 3.

Each application has to be completely restarted (some has to be force quit) to use new shortcuts. I've tested these key bindings in notes app and it works as expected

Not working anymore on Catalina 10.15.2 (see here)

Don't post misguided information! Maybe that particular scenario doesn't work, but DefaultKeyBinding.dict is still a valid solution for global key remap

Not working anymore on Catalina 10.15.2 (see here)

Don't post misguided information! Maybe that particular scenario doesn't work, but DefaultKeyBinding.dict is still a valid solution for global key remap

Turns out it was just a local problem of mine. It works properly also on Catalina 10.15.2

Thank you very much, it works out for me as well. Turned out, the file ending *.txt was still omitted.

This is my first Mac (Catalina 10.15.2) and some of the built in keys were driving me crazy after using Windows for decades, so I found this today and it's very helpful. However, while it mostly works, I have run into a few issues.

For example, the END key does take me to the end of the line, but the HOME key takes me to the top of the page/document, instead of the beginning of the line. Well, some times END does what it's supposed to, but not always. Sometimes I have to press the key twice. The first time scrolls, the 2nd moves to the end of the line.

OPTION + LEFT navigates left per work and doesn't take me to the beginning of the line.

I restarted the computer, but still the same issues. Any way to fix these issues?

I'm trying to use
"~7" = ("insertText:", "{");

to mimic Windows' AltGr-Key (I have also switched CMD and CTRL). Unfortunately, it's not working. Am I missing something?

Is there an exhaustive list of available commands for us to assign in this file? I'm looking for something like "switchWindows" to be assigned to Alt+Tab. The line "~\U0009" = "switchWindows:"; does not work on Catalina, probably because the function doesn’t exist or has a different name.

I started off with KeyBindings to get the typing straight but realized that for me it only works for the Shift, Pos1, End stuff.
Windows key combo (D, E, 1...0, arrows) I bought BetterTouchTool in combination with BetterSnapTool
For switch windows with Alt+Tab I bought Witch because even though BetterTouchTool supports switching programs (MacOS default) it does not support switching windows which eventually drove me nuts.

The link in line 35 is dead, BTW http://osxnotes.net/keybindings.html

The link in line 35 is dead, BTW http://osxnotes.net/keybindings.html

https://web.archive.org/web/20161220060333/http://osxnotes.net/keybindings.html

Just tried it in Catalina and works like a charm! Thanks!

Any idea on how to get this to work on BigSur (11.1)? The dictionary file is no longer accessible at that path on the filesystem.

Any idea on how to get this to work on BigSur (11.1)? The dictionary file is no longer accessible at that path on the filesystem.

I don't think Catalyst apps support usage of that file https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/jv97u8/catalyst_apps_ignore_defaultkeybindingdict/

Oh! So, no key binding is possible on BigSur?

Oh! So, no key binding is possible on BigSur?

This worked for me on BigSur 11.1:

mkdir -p $HOME/Library/KeyBindings
echo '{
/* Remap Home / End keys to be correct */
"\UF729" = "moveToBeginningOfLine:"; /* Home */
"\UF72B" = "moveToEndOfLine:"; /* End */
"$\UF729" = "moveToBeginningOfLineAndModifySelection:"; /* Shift + Home */
"$\UF72B" = "moveToEndOfLineAndModifySelection:"; /* Shift + End */
"^\UF729" = "moveToBeginningOfDocument:"; /* Ctrl + Home */
"^\UF72B" = "moveToEndOfDocument:"; /* Ctrl + End */
"$^\UF729" = "moveToBeginningOfDocumentAndModifySelection:"; /* Shift + Ctrl + Home */
"$^\UF72B" = "moveToEndOfDocumentAndModifySelection:"; /* Shift + Ctrl + End */
}' > $HOME/Library/KeyBindings/DefaultKeyBinding.dict

Original thread: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251108215

FYI, it saves the file in this location: /users/{YOUR_USERNAME}/Library/KeyBindings/DefaultKeyBinding.dict

Oh! So, no key binding is possible on BigSur?

Yes, it works!

This still works in BigSur. If ~/Library/KeyBindings/DefaultKeyBinding.dict, create the directory and the file. New key bindings won't work in already running apps - you'll need to restart the app.