How can I map additional shortcuts to an action, without losing the existing shortcuts for that action?

I have some computers running GNOME version 3 with multiple keyboards (e.g. a notebook computer which is sometimes used with an external keyboard).

These keyboards provide different keys (e.g. some notebook computers don't have the separate cursor movement keys, instead providing only a number pad with these functions) and the keys available for shortcuts are therefore different on the same computer.

So for some commands (e.g. Switch to Previous Tab) I need to configure an additional keyboard shortcut (e.g. Ctrl + Number pad Page Up) without replacing the existing shortcut for that function.

I need a way to add a shortcut without replacing existing ones. How can I do that?

  • Please state which version of Gnome you are using. – Dan D. Apr 25 '12 at 4:17
  • Dan: Already did, please see the question text. – bignose May 8 '12 at 7:22
  • You could add a custom shortcut for the extra key combos, which just simulates the key presses for the main shortcut. – Nattgew Apr 22 '14 at 21:43
  • This probably belongs on Unix.SE. – palswim Feb 12 '19 at 21:19
  • I'm thinking that such may require movomg the functionality to an external program or set of programs. Example: for browsers, this can be done via Gleebox, Surfingkeys, Vimperator, or similar. – joat Feb 12 '19 at 22:33

I don't think you can accomplish this in the Keyboard settings GUI, but you can use a dconf editor.

gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings switch-to-workspace-down "['<Super>Page_Down','<Control><Alt>Down']"

Don't forget the wrapping double-quotes as my system was giving me an unknown keyword error without them.

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