Word: Set up your own keyboard shortcuts

Word already comes with many keyboard shortcuts - you can also set up your own shortcugs. That's how it's done.

Example: Create a Word shortcut for cross-references

For example, if you often need to cross-reference text, there is no keyboard shortcut by default. The responsible function can be integrated into the quick start bar, but a shortcut makes it faster.

1. To set up, open the command »File | Options «and select the category» Customize ribbon «.
2. There, click on "Customize" at the bottom under "Key combinations". Then scroll to the bottom of the »Categories« list box and mark the entry »All commands«. Next to it to the right in the "Commands" list box, look for the desired instruction. For the cross-reference, this command is called "InsertCross-reference".
3. If you cannot find the right instruction, you can also limit the category of the preselection on the left to "References tab" to narrow the selection.
4. The "Current keys" field may show key combinations already assigned to this command. Basically, several options can be assigned to the same command.
5. Click in the "New key combination" field and press the desired variant. Under the field on the left, notice whether a message "Currently assigned to" appears. Then try a different key combination so as not to change the usual functionality in Word.
6. For example, [Alt] + [Q] is still available. You save this combination by default in the general document template »normal.dotm«, so that it later works in all texts.
7. By changing the "Save in" field, you can also limit the assignment to the current document. A click on "Assign" then saves the configuration.