The biggest change in ActiveWords 5 is the expanded ActionPad. Open it with a keystroke (Ctrl+Space by default), start typing, and act from one place. In earlier versions, the ActionPad was at its best when you knew the exact Word you wanted. In Version 5, it becomes a flexible command space for searching, discovering, calculating, and acting.

One field, many jobs

From the ActionPad you can:

• Trigger your Words and Actions
• Find applications, folders, and Start Menu items
• Work with Selected Text actions
• Run date calculations and the advanced calculator

That matters because modern work is rarely linear. Sometimes you know the exact command. Sometimes you only remember part of a file name, need a quick number, or want to act on something you just selected. The ActionPad is built to meet you in that in-between moment.

Simpler to set up

In Version 5, the ActionPad hotkey is configured in one place: Options → ActionPad. The same tab is where you turn on date calculations, the advanced calculator, and the other search sources, so everything the ActionPad can do lives in a single, predictable spot.

For the full overview and configuration steps, see the ActionPad FAQ. New to ActiveWords 5? Read the Version 5 announcement or download the free trial.