Disable Spotlight keyboard shortcut for selected applications

Question

Spotlight search is activated by Ctrl+Space.

Unfortunately, this collides with code completion in Eclipse.

I could change the shortcut for either function, but I'd like to stick with the defaults.

Is there a way to disable the Spotlight shortcut when a given application is active (in this case Eclipse)?

Solution 1

I don't think it is possible to disable the Spotlight shortcut just when a specific application is in focus. The closest thing for you to do would be to re-map the shortcut (either Spotlight's or Eclipse's).

To change the keyboard shortcut systemwide for Spotlight:

• In System Preferences, go to Keyboard, then Keyboard Shortcuts.
• In the column on the left, select Spotlight.
• Double click the shortcut (in this case ⌘ Space) and hold down the new shortcut. I suggest something similar, such as option + Space.

Solution 2

Follow these steps:

1. System Preferences
2. Spotlight
3. Untick Spotlight menu keyboard shortcut

Comments

[Admin]

It's actually cmd+space and, granted, I know there is a solution for this answer, but I couldn't find it right now.

[Josh Hunt]

Umm… Spotlight is for OS X. Autohotkey is for Windows...

[outsideblasts]

Whoops. Should have read closer sorry.

[outsideblasts]

Think I read Spotlight as Silverlight.

[cregox]

There is an autohotkey for mac tho: Iron AHK code.google.com/p/ironahk and there's also an automator alternative that you can drag n' drop commands that resembles AHK, but I can't remember its name.