Using an '&' in a string in python

Question

What is the purpose of the '&' in the string in this line?

exitAction = QtGui.QAction(QtGui.QIcon('exit.png'), '&Exit', self)

Likewise here:

fileMenu = menubar.addMenu('&File')

That's how you signal which character should be the keyboard shortcut for the action. e.g. alt-F S in most apps triggers the filemenu, and goes to the "S" option, which is generally "save", so you'd have .addMenu('&File') &F -> "alt-F" — Marc B
– Marc B, Commented Aug 29, 2016 at 15:14

pschill · Accepted Answer · 2016-08-29 15:21:27Z

2

The & character has a special purpose if you use it in the text of a QAction object: If the QAction object is used in a tool button, the character directly after the & symbol can be used as a keyboard shortcut for that button (in combination with the alt-key).

See http://doc.qt.io/qt-5/qaction.html (resp. http://doc.qt.io/qt-5/qaction.html#QAction-2).

answered Aug 29, 2016 at 15:21

pschill

5,6592 gold badges24 silver badges48 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Using an '&' in a string in python

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related