Using shortcuts in the keyword manager in Photos

Question

Level 2

269 points

Using shortcuts in the keyword manager in Photos

Am I right that some letters are system-reserved and can't be used as shortcuts in the Keyword Manager, even when Photos assigns them? For instance, I created a keyword and dragged it to the Quick Group area in the Keywords dialog. Photos then automatically assigned it a shortcut which is 'a'. But with the Keywords dialog open or not, if I press 'a', that simply opens up the editing screen, as if it's some kind of app-wide keyboard shortcut for 'Edit' for the Photos app. My keyword doesn't get assigned. Any thoughts?

iMac 24″, macOS 15.6

Posted on Oct 16, 2025 6:28 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

léonie

Level 10

200,501 points

Oct 16, 2025 10:02 PM in response to rick7

when you want to assign a keyword using the shortcut, you have to select the thumbnail, then enter your shortcut key. do it while selecting some photos in an album or another collection in thumbnail view.

You must not be viewing a single photo enlarged, or the editor might be opened instead. This is a strange new behavior I noticed first on macOS Tahoe.

Reply

Answer 2

rick7 Author

Level 2

269 points

Oct 16, 2025 7:04 PM in response to rick7

Seems to be the same way for 'c'--the app will assign it as a shortcut for a keyword, but when you press it it just seems to be an equivalent to clicking the Edit button.

Reply

Answer 3

rick7 Author

Level 2

269 points

Oct 16, 2025 11:15 PM in response to léonie

Thanks. It only seems to be a problem when I've made 'a' or 'c' the shortcut. Even if the photo is enlarged, I seem to be able to assign a keyword using any other shortcut.

Reply