Bruce,

First of all, not all list boxes are created equal. You have two basic types: (1) standard list boxes which do not allow the user to enter text but simply contain the list of options selectable, and (2) combo boxes which are editable (i.e., the user can make new entries into this type of list box).

As such, there are also variations on these themes. The result is that not all commands work equally. Here are a few examples:

1. The first thing you have to have is focus on the list box itself. Without focus even keystrokes using the down arrow keys won't work.

2. Once you have focused on the list box, voice commands work in various ways. For example, try using the command "Press down arrow." This command mimics the pressing of the down arrow key. However, using "down one" or "move down one" and the various related commands don't work because they do not mimic the down arrow key in precisely the same way that pressing that key does.

3. Some list boxes are MSAA enabled. That is, all of their entries are linked to Microsoft active accessibility. Where this is the case, if you know the entry in the list that you want, all you have to do is use Say-What-You-See and simply say the list box entry you want verbatim. This will go directly to that particular item in the list box.

4. Some list boxes don't work with the arrow keys at all, which is where the "drop list" command is useful and specifically for which it is designed. For example, go to the DNS Options dialog | View tab. Just use the tab key to tab to the option list box for "Auto-hide delay:" And then try to drop the list using the arrow keys on the keyboard, you won't get any response. In this case, only clicking on the down arrow button at the right of the list box or saying "drop list" will get you the list of options because the down arrow button is part of what the "drop list" command does (i.e., it enables/connects to these types of objects).

Regardless of all of this, I don't completely understand why you consider this a problem. That is, once you have set focus on the list box what difference does it make whether you press the down arrow or say "drop list." The number of actions taken is still the same. In fact, once you get the list to drop you should be able to say "[move] down n" and it will take you right down to the number that you specified in the list. In addition, if the list is speech-enabled (MSAA enabled), you should be able to simply say the option name.

Nevertheless, not all commands and/or keyboard keystrokes functioned exactly the same in all list boxes as noted her #4 above. So, your question seems like kind of a non sequitur.

Chuck Runquist
Former Dragon NaturallySpeaking SDK & Senior Technical Solutions PM for DNS

"It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so." -- Mark Twain

Yes it can be done in ViaVoice by making the necessary macros.
Quentin