- (void) keyDown: (NSEvent *) event { NSString *characters; characters = [event characters]; unichar character; character = [characters characterAtIndex: 0]; if (character == NSRightArrowFunctionKey) { [self moveSelectedBlockBy: 1]; } else if (character == NSLeftArrowFunctionKey) { [self moveSelectedBlockBy: -1]; } ... and look at whatever other keys you want }