Pressing the escape key has different outcomes in different parts of the app’s experience, even when the components involved are similar
Version Information
Application Version: GNOME Clocks 45.0
Language: English Language
GNOME Version: 45.4
Distro: Fedora
Version: Fedora 39 (Workstation Edition)
Issue Description
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In the view labeled (A), pressing the Esc button on the keyboard navigates the user back to the “clocks” list in World Clocks. This is unexpected because this is an outcome similar to closing a modal view, and this view is not a modal view.
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In the view labeled (B), pressing the Escape key when the “Add a New World Clock” modal is open, does not dismiss the modal.
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In the view labeled (C), pressing the escape key dismisses the modal.
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In the view labeled (D.1), pressing the escape key pauses the timer. This is unexpected as this function is commonly reserved for the “Enter” and “Backspace” keys and the affected component is also not a dialog.
Plus, the application shortcut for this feature as seen in the view labeled (D.2) states that the "Esc" button resets the timer, but instead, it currently pauses the timer.
Steps to reproduce these issues
For the View Labeled (A):
- Select "World" from the tab navigation.
- Add a Clock you wish to monitor to your main view.
- Once added, click on the clock you’ve added to open the view labeled (A).
- Then press the “Esc” key on your keyboard
For the View Labeled (B):
- Select "World" from the tab navigation.
- Click on the “+” button at the top left corner of the window to open the “Add a New World Clocks” modal.
- Press the “Esc” key on your keyboard.
For the View Labeled (C):
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Select "Alarm" from the tab navigation.
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Set an alarm
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Click on the alarm you set to open the “Edit Alarm” modal.
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Press the “Esc” key on your keyboard.
NB: The "Edit Alarm" view shares the same behavior with the "New Alarm modal". So an alternative route would be to just click on the "+" button at the top-left corner of the Alarm view, and press the "Esc" key.
For the View Labeled (D):
- Select "Timer" on the tab navigation.
- Set and start a timer.
- Press the “Esc” key on your keyboard.
Recommendation
I suggest standardizing the outcomes of pressing the "Esc" key across the application for consistency with the defined behaviors, which will improve the keyboard access experience and prevent unintended slips for users.