AppleWorks 6: How to Use Function Keys With Macros, or "The Function Keys can be set up" Message

Symptom

When you try to assign a function key to a macro in AppleWorks, or when you try to execute that macro with a function key, an alert box with this message appears:

"The Function Keys can be set up to open an application, document, server, or other item, such as an AppleScript. Do you want to open the Keyboard control panel now?"

Solution

Both AppleWorks and the Mac OS 9 Finder allow you to assign items to the same function keys, F1 through F15. This alert may appear when you want an AppleWorks function, but you are actually passing a request to the Finder.

To avoid the alert, distinguish your AppleWorks functions by pressing the Option key in combination with the desired function key. Be sure to press and hold Option before the function key.

Using with iBook and PowerBook computers

If your iBook or PowerBook has a function activation key marked "fn" in the lower left corner of the keyboard, you may use it instead of the Option key.