To make building schedules faster and smoother, the Visual Schedule Builder includes keyboard shortcuts for many commonly used actions.  Shortcut keys (also called hotkeys) are combinations of keystrokes that allow you to quickly navigate the VSB functions using only your keyboard, saving you from having to reach for your mouse.


We try to use the same shortcut keys you know from other applications ( so "Ctrl + C" for copy). But your browser also has built in shortcut keys, like 'Ctrl + F' for find. To prevent any interference with those shortcut keys many RecStaff shortcuts begin with "Ctrl + Shift"


Each Visual Scheduler Builder (VSB) tab has its own set of shortcut keys.



Shift Tab 



Shift Search

The Shift tab has two search shortcuts. You'll use the same shortcut to initialize search mode - "Ctrl + Shift + S".


To search your staff pick list (SPL)  enter "Ctrl + Shift + S" to enter search mode, then click "S". Your focus will move to the search field at the top of the pick list. Click here for an article that describes searching your staff pick list.


Search Staff Pick List 

1. Ctrl + Shift + S initializes the search

2. Type S to open the Staff Pick List search bar



Search Calendar Canvas 

1. Ctrl + Shift + S initializes the search

2. Type C to open the Calendar Canvas search bar


Click here for an article on how to search your shift canvas.



Change Shift Colours popup has 3 shortcuts:

  • "Ctrl + Shift + C" opens the popup;
  • "Enter" will accept the colour added;
  • "Esc" will cancel the operation and close the popup.


Edit Shift Labels popup has 3 shortcuts:


Choose a shift and then:

  • "Ctrl + Shift + L" opens the popup and puts the focus on the input field;
  • "Enter" will accept the label added
  • "Esc" will cancel the operation and close the popup.


Copy and Pasting Shifts or Entire Days


Once you've clicked on the shift canvas itself there are 4 shortcuts:

  • "Ctrl + C" or "Ctrl + Insert" will copy the shift you have selected to the clipboard
  • "Ctrl + V" or "Shift + Insert' will paste the shift to which grid is highlighted on the shift canvas
  • "Del" will delete whatever you have selected (shifts, locations, staff assignments)
  • "Ctrl + A" will select all other shifts on the day of the selected shift.


To Copy One Shift:

1.  Click on shift the shift will be highlighted in blue to denote it has been selected

2.  Ctrl + C  or Ctrl + Insert to copy the shift


3.  Click on the spot on the calendar canvas you want the shift to be copied to.  A blue line will appear where the shift will be copied to.


4.  Ctrl + V or Ctrl + Insert to paste the shift into selected position


To Copy an Entire Day (or multiple days):

1. Click on one shift on the day you want to copy

2. Ctrl + A will copy all shifts on the day.  You will see a blue highlight around all shifts for that day.


3. Ctrl + C  or Ctrl + Insert to copy the entire day

4. Click on the spot you want the shifts to be copied to.  A blue line will appear where the shifts where copying will begin.


5.  Ctrl + V  or Shift + Insert to paste the shifts 


Note: To copy multiple days, start by copying the first day as described above. Then hold down the Shift key, go to the next day, click on the first shift, and press Ctrl + A to select the entire day. You can then paste both days into the schedule. 


Work Tab 



Edit Description has are 3 shortcuts:


Choose the work assignment and then:

  • "Ctrl + Shift + D" opens the popup and puts the focus on the input field
  • "Enter" will accept any description changes you've made;
  • "Esc" will cancel the operation and close the popup



Work Assignment Copy and Paste


Choose a shift and then:

  • "Ctrl + C" or "Ctrl + Insert" will copy the work assignment you have selected to the clipboard
  • "Ctrl + V" or "Shift + Insert' will paste the work assignment to the newly selected shift on the shift calendar canvas
  • "Del" will delete whatever you have selected (shifts, locations, staff assignments)
  • "Ctrl + A" will select all other work assignments on the shift you've selected then use the copy and paste function to copy the shift to the area selected


To Copy One Work Assignment

1. Click on the work assignment the work assignment will be highlighted in pink

2. Ctrl + C of Ctrl + Insert to copy to the clipboard 


3. Click on the calendar canvas to determine where you want the work assignment to be copied to the shift will be highlighted in blue (very subtle highlight)


4. Ctrl + V or Shift + Insert to paste


To Copy All the Work Assignments in a Shift

1. Click on the any work assignment in the shift it will be highlighted in pink


2.  Ctrl + A will select all other work assignments in the shift.


3. Ctrl + C or Ctrl + Insert to copy all the work assignments to the clipboard (the clipboard will appear when the copy function is in use).



4. Select the shift you want to paste the work assignments in.  The shift will appear with a light blue highlight around it.


5.  Ctrl + V or Shift + Insert to paste the work assignments into the shift


Note:  The pasted shift cannot be smaller than the copied shift.


Work Assignment Search


The Work tab has two search shortcuts. You'll use the same shortcut to go into search mode - "Ctrl + Shift + S".


To search your list of work assignments enter "Ctrl + Shift + S" to enter search mode, then click "W". Your focus will move to the search field at the top of the list of work assignments and you can start typing. Click here for an article that describes searching your work assignment list.


To search the work assignments on your canvas, click "Ctrl + Shift + S" to enter search mode, then click "C". A search field will open in the upper right corner and you can start typing to filter what work assignments are showing on the canvas, Click here for an article on how to search your work assignment canvas.


Search Work Assignment Menu

1. Ctrl + Shift + S initializes the search

2. Type W to open the Work Assignment Menu Search bar


Search Work Assignment Calendar Canvas (shifts)

1. Ctrl + Shift + S initializes the search 

2. Type C to open the Calendar Canvas search (search of work assignments on the shifts)


Hours Tab 




The Hours tab has one search shortcuts. You'll use the same shortcut to go into search mode - "Ctrl + Shift + S" but as there is only the one search option, you don't need to click another key. 


To search your hours grid enter "Ctrl + Shift + S" and a search bar will open in the upper right corner; it will have the focus and you can start typing to filter which hours show below. Click here for an article that describes searching your work assignment list.