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Per this question, I have created a custom graphical control object which evaluates to a list of values. I would like to be able to create such an object quickly, rather than typing some command, pressing shift+enter, then copying the resulting object into wherever I want to use it. For example, something like typing \[Theta] which turns into θ... is it possible to create such a custom shorthand notation? (Even better, is it possible that when I start to type in a function which takes such a list as arguments, it pops up this control object for me to type the values in?)

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jtbandes
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1 Answers1

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Assuming you are referring to this control. You can

  • Evaluate in a separate cell each time and copy paste (you don't like this)
  • Write the command and evaluate in place
  • Copy the control once and paste it several times: remember the variables were localized so each will have its own copy and they won't interfere

  • Create a palette

    CreatePalette@PasteButton["Paste control", myControl["a"~CharacterRange~"g"]];

  • Create a toolbar

    AppendTo[CurrentValue[InputNotebook[], DockedCells], 
 Cell@BoxData@
   ToBoxes@PasteButton["Paste control", 
     myControl["a"~CharacterRange~"g"]]]

  • Create an input alias, or an input auto replacement. Example of input alias (the other one is the same)

    AppendTo[CurrentValue[InputNotebook[], InputAliases], 
 "control" -> ToBoxes@myControl["a"~CharacterRange~"g"]]
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Rojo
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  • Thanks, this lead me to find InputAutoReplacements which was what I wanted. Do you have any idea why it selects a random field/object in the box instead of highlighting the first text field when the replacement happens? – jtbandes Nov 24 '12 at 01:05
  • @jtbandes not off the top of my head. Generally \[SelectionPlaceholder]s are used to represent where the selection will go so you could try initializing the control with that character – Rojo Nov 24 '12 at 19:12