step entering rest on first beat

I know there must be an easy way to do this, but I can't find it. I can be quickly entering notes via step method until I get to a bar with a rest on the first beat. I've had to resort to adding an unwanted note (e.g. 5 with the right hand, g with the left to enter a G quarter note) and then hit delete to turn that G into a quarter rest there instead. This is faster than hitting N stop the flow, select the automatic whole rest and then hit 5 to turn the bar into quarter rests and then continue on beat 2 with notes. But either method wastes time. So, what am I missing? Have of course consulted the manual but can't find an easy way to utilize a keyboard shortcut in order to just keep going with a rest starting the first beat in the next bar when writing continuously. Thanks!!