Use the tab key for Mac OS X Spotlight?

Question

As the title goes, how can I use the tab key to cycle through Spotlight suggestions, instead of arrow keys?

Answer 1

Use Karabiner.

Steps:

1. edit and save the private.xml file, you can find the file in Misc & Uninstall panel of Krabiner:

   <?xml version="1.0"?>
   <root>
       <appdef>
           <appname>SPOTLIGHT</appname>
           <equal>com.apple.Spotlight</equal>
       </appdef>
   
       <item>
           <name>Use Tab instead Up in Spotlight</name>
           <identifier>private.spotlight.tab</identifier>
           <only>SPOTLIGHT</only>
           <autogen>__KeyToKey__ KeyCode::TAB, ModifierFlag::SHIFT_L, KeyCode::CURSOR_UP</autogen>
           <autogen>__KeyToKey__ KeyCode::TAB, KeyCode::CURSOR_DOWN</autogen>
       </item>
   </root>
   

2. Then make sure you check the Use Tab instead Up in Spotlight item after you Reload XML in Change Key panel.

It should works now.