Panorama 6 had a nice Recent Databases window where you could type a few characters and then use a number to select a particular database. It was a really nice way to navigate files using just the keyboard.
Is there any way to do that in Panorama X? (Of course I know about Open Recent but it doesn’t offer the same window and keyboard-only control.)
Thanks!
I just can’t win. Back in the Panorama 6 days, there were many complaints about the Recent Database window - “why can’t you just have a standard Open Recent submenu like every other Mac app?” “Why does Panorama have to do everything in a non-standard way - it should just work like other Mac apps do.”
So, in creating Panorama X there was a strong emphasis on trying to do things in the “standard” way whenever possible. Personally, I also liked the old “Recent Databases” window - that’s why I created it in the first place. But macOS has a standard way to deal with recent documents, so the non-standard “special Panorama way” had to go.
There is a feature that is kind of similar - the Find & Open dialog. It’s not quite the same - it doesn’t allow you to use a number to select a particular database. But it’s as close as you can get in Panorama X.
Hah!
I’m sorry to have asked yet another “how do I do my favorite non-standard thing” question!
One of the things I love about Panorama is being able to do so many things from the keyboard.
It’s surprising how much effort it takes to redefine muscle memory. I’m sure it’ll be worth it - I’m confident that as I move more fully into Pan X, I’ll keep discovering one thing after another that works better and surprises me with the thought and care that went into the rewrite.
I knew there would be a lot of transition pains for me, because of the muscle memory, which is why I’ve put off the switch for so long. But there’s never been any question in my mind that Panorama X is better in nearly every way.
I’ll keep exploring the Find & Open dialog. At the moment, it’s not populated with all my favorite databases, but I can probably just open them all briefly to get them in there.
In fact, on a 5-second try-out, it seems to be working great for my needs.
There are a lot of places where Pan X does a fantastic job of automatically converting the Old Ways into the New Ways - like auto-updating the command keys for Procedures.
For the features that can’t exist in the new version, I am really grateful for all the great advice and workarounds you provide here.
It must be exhausting to still be getting inquiries about the old ways, and I’m sorry about that. I really appreciate all the tips and workarounds, and I hope I won’t have TOO many more questions about how to do that thing I used to do.
(I do search the forum archives before asking, and I have found lots of answers to questions already, so please know that your previous answers are still getting use.)
Thank you for your quick and helpful reply, and for all the work you’ve put into making Panorama X such a robust and powerful app, and for all the amazing support you provide here.
Best wishes for a happy and prosperous 2025!
The Find & Open dialog should show ALL of the Panorama X databases on your computer, even databases you have never opened. It uses Apple’s Spotlight feature to find all of the databases on the computer. (However, it won’t show Panorama 6 databases.)
Sorry to have been so grouchy about it! You did ask very nicely, which I appreciate.
Be sure also to check out the Favorite Databases feature. For me personally, this is my most common way to open databases. However, it doesn’t work with the keyboard.
No worries at all. Fielding a million requests over years is a lot.
I appreciate your helpful replies and all your amazing work!
Many thanks!
I have an idea. How about Cmd-P for Propagate? 
Long ago, I realized that, as a programmer, I would always be “wrong”. I think it was [insert the deity of your choice] 's way of preparing me to deal with … relationships.
OSX lets you do it yourself with the Keyboard module of System Settings.
You’re right of course, but I’m pretty sure Paul was kidding.
