Help Needed: Applying Keyboard Shortcut (Alt+Z) to Insert Metadata in DITA Topics
Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2026 8:04 am
Hello Oxygen Team,
I am trying to configure a keyboard shortcut in oXygen XML Author to automatically insert a metadata block into our DITA task and concept topics. My goal is to press Alt+Z and have a predefined metadata XML fragment inserted inside the <prolog>.
However, I am running into difficulties while creating the custom Author action.
What I Tried
I duplicated the built‑in DITA framework (so that it is editable).
I opened:
Preferences → Document Type Association → DITA (Copy) → Edit
I went to:
Author → Actions → New
The Problem
When I click New, instead of getting the “Insert Fragment” option mentioned in Oxygen documentation, I only get the “Action” dialog that contains:
ID
Name
Menu access key
Shortcut key
Activation XPath
Operation (with "Choose…")
Arguments
I do not see the “Insert XML Fragment” action type in the initial “New” dropdown.
Request for Guidance
Could you please help me understand:
How to correctly add an Insert XML Fragment action within a DITA framework?
Why the Insert Fragment / Insert XML Fragment action type is not appearing in the “New Action” dialog?
Whether DITA-specific frameworks use a different method for adding XML fragments (e.g., via custom operations, Author mode APIs, or framework extensions)?
What is the correct way to bind a keyboard shortcut (Alt+Z) to insert metadata, given the above limitations?
Any detailed steps, screenshots, or guidelines would be really appreciated, as I have followed the available instructions but still cannot access the expected Insert Fragment option.
Thank you in advance for your help!
Kind regards,
Shivani
I am trying to configure a keyboard shortcut in oXygen XML Author to automatically insert a metadata block into our DITA task and concept topics. My goal is to press Alt+Z and have a predefined metadata XML fragment inserted inside the <prolog>.
However, I am running into difficulties while creating the custom Author action.
What I Tried
I duplicated the built‑in DITA framework (so that it is editable).
I opened:
Preferences → Document Type Association → DITA (Copy) → Edit
I went to:
Author → Actions → New
The Problem
When I click New, instead of getting the “Insert Fragment” option mentioned in Oxygen documentation, I only get the “Action” dialog that contains:
ID
Name
Menu access key
Shortcut key
Activation XPath
Operation (with "Choose…")
Arguments
I do not see the “Insert XML Fragment” action type in the initial “New” dropdown.
Request for Guidance
Could you please help me understand:
How to correctly add an Insert XML Fragment action within a DITA framework?
Why the Insert Fragment / Insert XML Fragment action type is not appearing in the “New Action” dialog?
Whether DITA-specific frameworks use a different method for adding XML fragments (e.g., via custom operations, Author mode APIs, or framework extensions)?
What is the correct way to bind a keyboard shortcut (Alt+Z) to insert metadata, given the above limitations?
Any detailed steps, screenshots, or guidelines would be really appreciated, as I have followed the available instructions but still cannot access the expected Insert Fragment option.
Thank you in advance for your help!
Kind regards,
Shivani