DataPlus Shortcuts: The Essential 5 (Start Here)
Master These Keys for Faster, Safer Annotation Work
These 5 keyboard shortcuts are essential for every annotator. Learn them in your first week to work faster, protect your progress, and reduce errors.
Why shortcuts matter:
Save hours of mouse clicking daily
Protect your work from being lost
Navigate faster between segments
Check your work before submission
Increase your daily task completion
🚨 MOST CRITICAL: Shift+Alt+S = Save Your Work
THE SURVIVAL SHORTCUT
Why this matters:
Your work can disappear due to technical issues
Browser crashes, internet problems, system freezes happen
Lost work = hours of effort gone forever
Saving protects your progress instantly
When to save (Set phone timer for every 5 minutes!):
✅ Just started new file → Save immediately
✅ After every 3-5 segments → Save
✅ Before taking any break → Save
✅ When system seems slow → Save
✅ Every time you complete good work → Save
How to remember: Make it automatic - save without thinking, like breathing.
⭐ THE ESSENTIAL 4 SHORTCUTS
1. SPACE = Stop/Start Audio
Your most-used key (100+ times per hour)
What it does:
Plays audio when stopped
Stops audio when playing
Like the play button on your phone
Keeps hands on keyboard (no mouse needed)
When to use SPACE: 🎧 Check unclear pronunciation
🎧 Double-check names and spellings
🎧 Stop to think about difficult words
🎧 Verify what you heard before typing
🎧 Pause when distracted
Pro tip: Get comfortable using SPACE constantly - it becomes natural after a few hours.
2. Q = Jump Back One Segment
Think: "Quick, go back!"
What it does:
Goes to previous segment instantly
No mouse clicking needed
Maintains your workflow speed
When to use Q: ⬅️ Made mistake, need to fix it
⬅️ Want to hear previous speaker again
⬅️ Compare what two different people said
⬅️ Double-check difficult words in context
⬅️ Review your work before moving forward
Example: Working on segment 5, press Q, now on segment 4. Press Q again, now on segment 3.
3. E = Jump Forward One Segment
Think: "Excellent, move on!" or "Easy, next one!"
What it does:
Goes to next segment instantly
Fast navigation without mouse
Builds momentum in your work
When to use E: ➡️ Segment is perfect, move on quickly
➡️ Skip ahead to preview what's coming
➡️ Race through easy, clear segments
➡️ Build momentum when workflow is smooth
➡️ Come back later to difficult segments
Pro workflow: Q and E together let you move smoothly through any file.
4. Alt+F = Open Search Box
Your error-checking superpower
What it does:
Opens search window where YOU decide what to find
Does NOT automatically fix anything
YOU must type what to search for
Essential for quality control before submission
How Alt+F actually works:
Press Alt+F → Empty search box opens
You type what to find → Like "[N]" or specific words
Review each result → Check if it's correct
Fix the wrong ones → Make corrections as needed
What to search for before submitting: 🔍 "[N]" → Find all noise tags (verify each one)
🔍 Spelling variations → Check consistency
🔍 " " (double space) → Fix spacing errors
🔍 Names → Verify consistent spelling throughout
🔍 Common mistakes → Your personal error patterns
Game-changer: This prevents most rejections by catching errors before submission.
Learning Path: Master These in Order
Foundation Level
Start with Ctrl+Alt+S - Save every 5 minutes, no exceptions
Add SPACE - Control audio without mouse
Practice Q and E - Navigate between segments smoothly
Efficiency Level
Learn Alt+F - Search and check your work before submitting
Combine all 5 - Complete entire files using only keyboard shortcuts
Success Markers:
✅ Can work 30 minutes without touching mouse
✅ Never lose work due to saving regularly
✅ Navigate smoothly between segments
✅ Find and fix errors before submission
Real-World Workflow Example
Typical 10-minute workflow using shortcuts:
Start file → Ctrl+Alt+S (save immediately)
Listen to segment → SPACE (play/pause as needed)
Transcribe segment → Type corrections
Move to next → E (forward one segment)
Need to check previous → Q (back one segment)
Every few segments → Ctrl+Alt+S (save progress)
Before submitting → Alt+F (search for errors)
Final save → Ctrl+Alt+S (protect completed work)
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Shortcut not working?
Make sure cursor is in the right place
Try clicking in the text area first
Check if other programs are interfering
Forgot to save?
Set phone timer for 5-minute reminders
Make saving automatic after every few segments
Better to over-save than lose work
Alt+F search shows nothing?
Check spelling of search term
Try simpler search terms
Make sure you have content to search
Goals and Benefits
Daily Wins:
✅ Never lose work (save every 5 minutes)
✅ Control audio without mouse (SPACE)
✅ Navigate segments smoothly (Q/E)
✅ Check errors before submitting (Alt+F)
By end of first week:
✅ Feel confident with all 5 shortcuts
✅ Complete files faster than before
✅ Have fewer rejections due to better checking
✅ Feel proud of improved efficiency
Long-term benefits:
🚀 Save 1-2 hours daily through faster navigation
🚀 Reduce rejections through better self-review
🚀 Increase confidence with platform mastery
🚀 Earn more through improved efficiency
Quick Reference Card
Print this - keep at your workstation:
💾 Shift+Alt+S = SAVE (every 5 minutes!)
▶️ SPACE = Play/Stop audio
⬅️ Q = Back one segment
➡️ E = Forward one segment
🔍 Alt+F = Search and check
Daily reminder: These 5 keys will transform your annotation speed and quality.
Next Steps
Once you've mastered these essential 5 shortcuts:
➡️ Look for: "DataPlus Shortcuts: Advanced Navigation" (coming soon)
➡️ Practice: Complete 3-5 files using only these shortcuts
➡️ Challenge: Try working for 1 hour without touching your mouse
Success Story
"I learned these 5 shortcuts in my first week. Now I complete files 50% faster and never lose work. The Alt+F search caught so many errors before submission - my rejection rate dropped to almost zero. These shortcuts changed everything!" - Team Member
Remember: Start with Shift+Alt+S (save constantly), add SPACE (audio control), then master Q/E (navigation) and Alt+F (quality checking).
These 5 keys are your foundation for efficient annotation work.
Keep this guide handy while learning - you'll be a shortcut master within days!