---
title: "Change shortcuts and use a foot pedal"
summary: "Set another key combination, a special key such as F13 or a foot pedal, choose the behaviour and change the key that cancels a dictation."
url: "https://help.medisynchealth.ai/en/dictate/change-trigger"
product: "MediSync Dictate"
platforms: ["windows","macos"]
access: "public"
updated: "2026-11-11"
version: "Dictate 0.4.0-beta.6"
---

# Change shortcuts and use a foot pedal

Set another key combination, a special key such as F13 or a foot pedal, choose the behaviour and change the key that cancels a dictation.

All shortcuts are under **Settings › General › Shortcuts**. Click the **Shortcuts** row to open it. In the Help menu, **Change shortcuts** takes you straight there.

## The shortcuts

| Row | Windows | Mac |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Dictate** | `Ctrl` + `Win` | `Fn` |
| **Start and stop hands-free** | `Ctrl` + `Win` + `Space` | `Fn` + `Space` |
| **Start and stop notes** | `Ctrl` + `Win` + `M` | `Control` + `Option` + `M` |
| **Insert last dictation** | `Alt` + `Shift` + `Z` | `Option` + `Shift` + `Z` |
| **Cancel dictation** | `Esc` | `Esc` |

The **Edit selected text by instruction** row has no key of its own. It reminds you that the dictation key also changes selected text. [Edit text by voice](https://help.medisynchealth.ai/en/dictate/edit-text-by-voice) explains this.

Other shortcuts are on their own pages: the scratchpad on the **Scratchpad** page, the commands and the **Edit key** on the **Commands** page.

## Set another key

1. Open **Settings › General › Shortcuts**.
2. In the row you want, click **Record key**. Dictate shows **Press the key or foot pedal now**.
3. Press the new key combination or the foot pedal. Dictate saves it at once.

**Cancel** keeps the old key. When a key differs from the default, **Default** appears next to it. A click on it restores the default.

When two shortcuts get in each other's way, a note shows under the row, for example `Same keys as Dictate.` Then choose another combination.

## Which keys are allowed

A shortcut must not get in the way of normal typing. Dictate accepts:

- Combinations with `Ctrl`, `Alt` or `Win`, on a Mac with `Control`, `Option`, `Command` or `Fn`
- Single special keys: F1 to F24, `Pause`, `Scroll Lock`, the operator keys of the number pad such as `Num` + ``, and media, volume and browser keys

Dictate refuses a combination with `Shift` only, or a single letter key. It then shows:

```text
This key gets in the way of typing. Choose a combination with Ctrl, Alt or Win, or a special key such as F13 or Pause.
```

**Cancel dictation** has another rule: one key such as `Esc` or `F12`, or a combination with `Ctrl` or `Alt`. The key works only while a dictation runs. At other times it stays free for your programs.

## Hold or tap

Under **Behaviour** you choose how the **Dictate** key works:

- **Hold to talk**: Dictate listens while you hold the keys. A brief tap starts a hands-free dictation.
- **Tap to start and stop**: the first press starts, the second one stops.

## Foot pedals and dictation microphones

Devices that send a key work directly. You need no driver from MediSync.

1. In the manufacturer's software, set the foot pedal or the button on the dictation microphone to a free key, for example F13 to F24, `Pause` or `Num` + ``.
2. In Dictate, click **Record key** in the **Dictate** row.
3. Press the foot pedal or the button on the microphone.

If the pedal sends the key for as long as it is down, **Hold to talk** dictates for exactly that long. If it only sends a short key press, choose **Tap to start and stop**.

## On a Mac

On a Mac, `Fn` is the dictation key. A foot pedal needs a free key from F13 to F19 there.

For a key to reach Dictate in every program, Dictate needs the **Input Monitoring** permission. Without it the recorder shows `No key arrives. Allow Input Monitoring for MediSync Dictate, then record the key again.` Click **Allow** and record the key again.

A Mac reports a key that is not allowed like this: `This key gets in the way of typing. Choose a combination with Control, Option or Command, or a special key such as F13.`