Add Keyboard Shortcuts to DNA Matches

The top of an AncestryDNA match page with a letter badge on each of the Connect to tree, Message, Edit Relationship and Shared cM Tool buttons, outlined in red, and badges on Add/edit group, the note and the Trees, Origins and Shared Matches tabs.

What problem does Add Keyboard Shortcuts to DNA Matches solve?

Add Keyboard Shortcuts to DNA Matches lets you work through an AncestryDNA match’s page from the keyboard. One key opens a tab, adds a group or a note, or sorts the shared matches. Without it, each of these is a mouse click, repeated for every match you review.

How does Add Keyboard Shortcuts to DNA Matches work?

The shortcuts work on every tab of a DNA match’s page. A small letter appears to the right of each button, link and tab with a shortcut, so you can learn the keys as you go. Your match list has its own set in Add Keyboard Shortcuts to Matches List.

The letter keys do nothing while you are typing in a box, such as a note, so your text is never mistaken for a shortcut. Esc still works while you type, and closes the side panel that is open, such as the note, group or filters panel.

Pressing N opens the note panel with the cursor already in the box, ready to type. A line under the box reminds you that Ctrl + Enter saves the note (Cmd + Enter on a Mac). You can add a note without touching the mouse.

The Add Note panel on an AncestryDNA match page, with a note in the box and the line Press Ctrl/CMD + Enter to save under the Save and Cancel buttons outlined in red.

On the Shared Matches tab, a Sort ▼ link is added to the heading of each of the two cM columns. The first sorts the list by the cM each shared match shares with you, and the second by the cM they share with the match. Clicking one reloads the list in that order, from page 1.

The shared match list on an AncestryDNA match page, with the Sort links over Pat Sample's and Jordan Specimen's columns and their 1 and 2 badges each outlined in red.

The side label of the match, and of each shared match, is also shown in bold and coloured by the side Ancestry has assigned:

Pink for Maternal side.
Blue for Paternal side.
Purple for Both sides.

How do I use Add Keyboard Shortcuts to DNA Matches?

In the Genealogy Assistant pop-up panel, make sure Add Keyboard Shortcuts to DNA Matches is turned on.
Open a DNA match from your match list. A letter appears beside each button, link and tab that has a shortcut.
Press a letter to run its action. Every key is listed under Keyboard Shortcuts.
To sort the shared matches, click the Shared Matches tab, then click Sort ▼ above either cM column. The list reloads in that order.

Keyboard Shortcuts

G opens the group panel to add the match to a group.
N opens the note panel to add or edit a note on the match.
Ctrl + Enter (Cmd + Enter on a Mac) saves the open note.
T opens the Trees tab.
O opens the Origins tab.
M opens the Shared Matches tab.
V opens the match’s tree, from the Trees tab.
A opens the match’s List of all people, from the Trees tab, when Add All People Link to Matches Trees is turned on.
S opens DNA Painter’s Shared cM Tool for the match, when DNA Painter Shared cM Tool Button is turned on.
C connects the match to a person in your tree.
R edits the relationship between you and the match.
L shows the match in your family tree.
X sends a message to the match.
F opens the filters on the Shared Matches tab.
Q opens the search on the Shared Matches tab.
1 sorts the shared matches by the cM they share with you.
2 sorts the shared matches by the cM they share with the match.
Esc closes the open side panel.

Related features

Add Keyboard Shortcuts to Matches List: Hover over any match and press n, r or g to open its note, relationship or groups window.
DNA Painter Shared cM Tool Button: A Shared cM Tool button on every Ancestry DNA match page opens DNA Painter’s Shared cM Tool with the match’s cM already filled in.
Segment Stats on DNA Match Pages: Shows the unweighted cM, segment count, longest segment and average segment size (AScM) under the shared DNA on every match page, without opening the pop-up.