Virtual Keyboard functionality (Ctrl, Alt, Fn keys, arrows)

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Steam Deck > Feature Requests > Topic Details

happyprancer May 30, 2022 @ 5:21pm

Virtual Keyboard functionality (Ctrl, Alt, Fn keys, arrows)

The virtual keyboard is very limited, especially for using desktop mode. There are no up and down arrows for accessing the terminal history. There is no Ctrl key which has many uses in terminal and other desktop applications. There is no Alt key which is used to navigate menus in desktop applications. There is no way to use function keys like F1 or F5, which are useful in many desktop applications as well as many games. These keys can be mapped in games, but there are times in games when you just want to press a function key without remapping the controls. It would be great to have an advanced mode for the keyboard that has the functionality of a full keyboard.

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Showing 1-15 of 152 comments

bastiHST May 30, 2022 @ 9:28pm

retrogunner Jun 1, 2022 @ 6:41pm

+1 yes please. Even windows and other linux distros have them.

MrSandman Jun 2, 2022 @ 7:36pm

Neoony Jun 3, 2022 @ 11:08am

I agree

There are some things you can do though

In Desktop mode, open steam, go to settings and Controller
There click on Desktop configuration

And you can map your own buttons (e.g. D-Pad as arrow keys)

So yeah, you can map buttons for desktop mode just like any other game.

But indeed, the virtual keyboard could use these buttons for sure.

Electric Cupcake Jun 3, 2022 @ 3:05pm

An emoji-menu but no ctrl keys is absolutely ridiculous. Really, onscreen keyboards with unremovable emoji menus should be outlawed.

harre Jun 8, 2022 @ 11:40am

+1 I'd love a real keyboard too

atticus Jun 9, 2022 @ 6:10am

Maik Jun 10, 2022 @ 5:17am

Nyan~ Jun 10, 2022 @ 7:15pm

Seconding this request. Alternatively, give us the option to override the keyboard and spawn a different keyboard application but with the dual trackpads clamped to it.

AXELUUU Jun 12, 2022 @ 8:51am

Agree, it would really improve the experience. Also it would be nice to have an option to switch the keyboard position with a key, when the text input is on the bottom of the screen you can't see what you type, and maybe some settings for keyboard size and opacity.

#10