Wait, what? You got QM2018 (not 2017) ??? Where did you purchase. Not supposed to be released yet.
On to your thoughts (all good ideas):
#1:This idea is already posted in the community. Please go to the link below and VOTE for it:
Ability to Set Default Columns, Sort and Sizes to Account Registers
#2: When done entering a transaction, hit Command-N on the keyboard. That will save the current transaction and open a new one for editing. You can change the keyboard shortcut if you like: macOS Custom Keyboard Shortcuts. You can also vote for specifically what you are asking for here:
Option to Stay in Edit Mode or to Hit Return/Enter To Open New Transaction
#3: There is a menu Transactions > Show Splits with keyboard shortcut Command-Option-S that opens the split pane. You can change the keyboard shortcut to your liking as mentioned above. (Personally, I'd prefer not to have the split pane popping open every time I tab by the split icon.)
Finally, you may want to review all the existing IDEA threads on the link below and VOTE for those that interest you. (Thanks to smayer97 for assembling this list.)
EXPANDED List of IDEAS

For example, 'CTRL+A' means hold down the CTRL key and press the letter A. Toshiba e studio 856 driver. Shortcuts do not work. Home›Quicken for Mac›Product Ideas - Quicken for.