ARCHIVED: In Microsoft Word, how do I assign a shortcut key to a macro?

Microsoft Word has many shortcut keys that allow you to access functions quickly. Some shortcuts are built into the program, but you can also assign shortcuts to macros you create. Once you have created a macro, follow the appropriate steps to assign a shortcut to it:

• Microsoft Word 2007
• Earlier versions of Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word 2007

1. Click the Microsoft Office Button, and then click Word Options.
2. Click Popular. Under "Top options for working with Word", check Show Developer tab in the Ribbon. Click OK.
3. On the Developer tab, click Record Macro.
4. In the Record Macro window, under "Macro name:", type a name for the macro.

   Note: To view a list of built-in macros, on the Developer tab, click Macros. Next to "Macros in:", from the drop-down list, select Word Commands.

5. From the drop-down list under "Store macro in:", select the template or document in which you want to store the macro.
6. Under "Description:", type a description of the macro. Do one of the following:
   1. To begin recording the macro without assigning it to a button on the Quick Access Toolbar or to a shortcut key, click OK.
   2. To assign the macro to the Quick Access Toolbar:
      • Click Button.
      • From the drop-down list under "Customize Quick Access Toolbar:", select the document (or all documents) for which you want to add the macro to the Quick Access Toolbar.
      • From the box on the left, click the macro that you are recording, and then click Add.
      • Click OK to begin recording the macro.
      
      
   3. To assign the macro to a keyboard shortcut:
      • Click Keyboard.
      • Under "Commands:", click the macro that you are recording.
      • Under "Press new shortcut key:", type the key sequence that you want, and then click Assign.
      • Click Close to begin recording the macro.
      
      
7. Perform the actions that you want to include in the macro.
8. To stop recording your actions, in the Developer tab, click Stop Recording.

Earlier versions of Microsoft Word

1. From the Tools menu, select Customize....
2. In the window that opens, click Keyboard....

   Note: In Word 2000, first click the Options tab, and then the Keyboard... button.

3. Under "Categories:", click Macros. This will show a list of existing macros.
4. Click the macro for which you'd like to assign a shortcut.
5. Place your cursor in the "Press new shortcut key:" box, and then assign a key combination for the selected macro by pressing the desired key combination. You must use a combination of Ctrl or Alt (Ctrl or Cmd in Mac OS) and a letter, number, or symbol (e.g., Ctrl-a or Ctrl-u).
6. When you are satisfied with your shortcut, click Assign.

   Note: If another function or macro is assigned to the combination you entered, you will see its name in the list under "Currently Assigned To:". If there is nothing currently assigned to the combination, the message will read "[unassigned]". Be sure to pick a combination that's unassigned, or you could unintentionally remove important combinations from Word.

7. To save the macro to your normal template or to a specific document, under "Save changes in:", select the appropriate option.