Tips for advanced TYPO3 users

Important keyboard shortcuts:

A trick for correcting line spacing

A the moment, we are having trouble with an error that ruins the correct spacing between lines of text. If you notice that paragraphs are not being displayed correctly in the front-end view, please try the following:

  • in Windows: ctrl + a (= select all), then ctrl + x (= cut), and finally ctrl + v (= paste)
  • in Mac: cmd (command key, previously: Apple key) + a (= select all), then cmd + x (= cut), and finally cmd + v (= paste)

En dash

This punctuation is automatically used correctly in most word processing programs, but not in the RTE (rich text editor) of TYPO3. This means, when you type a hyphen/minus symbol, it will also appear as such. This is incorrect. In order to insert the correct punctuation, please enter the following:

  • in Windows: alt + 0150
  • in Mac: alt + -

German quotation marks

The RTE (rich text editor) automatically inserts English quotation marks that look like this: “example”. In order to use German quotation marks, you can use the RTE to insert them as a symbol:

  • For the first quotation mark on the bottom left (looks like a subscript 99: 99) use the symbol “bottom German quotation mark” (shortcut „)
  • For the last quotation mark at the top right (looks like a superscript 66: 66) “double left quotation mark” (shortcut “)

In text fields (e.g. accordion tabs) and headings you will definitely have to use a number code. In order to insert the correct punctuation, please enter the following:

  • in Windows: for the first quotation mark on the bottom left (99) alt + 0132, for the last quotation mark at the top right (66) alt + 0147
  • in Mac: for the first quotation mark on the bottom left (99) alt + shift + W, for the last quotation mark at the top right (66) alt + 2

Avoid odd line breaks in headings, tiles and other plain text fields

There are two options for setting your own line breaks so they look good in headings, information boxes and other plain text fields:

You can define the spots where long words can be split in half if this is necessary for a certain screen width. In this case, use a soft hyphen. Enter the corresponding letter/number code to insert a soft hyphen at the desired location:

  • in Windows: alt + 240 or alt + 0173 or ­ (= soft hyphen)
  • in Mac: cmd (command key, previously: Apple key) + -

You can also define places where line breaks are not allowed: These are places where words are defined as a group of words that cannot be split up, even if the screen width changes. In this case, use a non-breaking space. Instead of typing a space between each word in the desired group of words, please use the keyboard shortcut “ctrl + space”.

Please note: You can only see the line break in the page preview version – not in the back-end view! Please check your work in the mobile view as well.

Use non-breaking  spaces to avoid odd line breaks

In text paragraphs you can easily enter a non-breaking space in the RTE (rich text editor) using the keyboard shortcut “ctrl + space”. (More information about using non-breaking spaces in headings, tiles and other plain text fields).

Here are a few examples of when it would be helpful to use non-breaking spaces in text paragraphs:

  • between the letters of abbreviations: e|t|c.
  • between titles and names: Professor|Dr|Gabriela|Signori
  • between numbers and units of measurement: 32|cm, 14th|century, 30|June
  • between abbreviations and numbers: p.|50, no.|5
  • between abbreviations and words: St|Mark
  • between names and numbers: Web|2.0, Henry|VIII