How to create a custom keyboard shortcut in Word

You can create, modify, or remove existing keyboard shortcuts in Microsoft Word, and here's how in Office from Microsoft 365 or Office 2019.

Microsoft Word custom keyboard shortcut

Microsoft Word allows you to create custom keyboard shortcuts to quickly use a combination of keys to execute a command or macro, apply a style, and insert a symbol without the need of extra steps utilizing a mouse.

In addition to creating new shortcuts, whether you use the version of Office from Microsoft 365 or Office 2019 , Microsoft Word also lets you modify existing shortcuts or remove those you do not want.

In this Windows 10 guide, we will walk you through the steps of creating a custom keyboard shortcut for your most frequent Word commands. In addition, we will also outline the steps of removing a specific shortcut and resetting all custom settings to their defaults.

How to create custom keyboard shortcut in Word

How to remove custom keyboard shortcut in word.

  • How to reset custom keyboard shortcut settings in Word  

To assign a custom keyboard shortcut to a command or item in Word, use these steps:

  • Open Microsoft Word .
  • Click on Options from the bottom-left corner. Quick note: If you have a blank document open, click the File menu to access the Options button. Alternatively, you can also right-click anywhere in the Ribbon and select the Customize the Ribbon option to access the settings.
  • Click on Customize Ribbon .
  • Under the "Customize the Ribbon and keyboard shortcuts" section, click the Customize button for "Keyboard shortcuts."
  • In the Categories section, select the category that contains the command, macro, or style you want to customize.
  • In the Command section, select the item to which you want to add a custom keyboard shortcut. Quick note: If the command has a shortcut already assigned, it will be listed under the "Current keys" section. You can always add more shortcuts for the same command or remove shortcuts as needed (see steps below).
  • In the Press new shortcut key box, confirm the keyboard shortcut you want to use. Quick tip: You can use a number of key combinations. For example, you can use a function key, such as F3 and F4 , Alt and/or Ctrl + other keys like Alt + Ctrl + F7 . If the shortcut is already in use, you can still use it, but the keyboard shortcut will no longer be available for the other item.
  • In the "Save changes in" option, select the Normal.dotm option to make the keyboard available for all documents.
  • Click the Assign button.
  • Click the Close button.

Once you complete the steps, you can now start using the keyboard shortcut to quickly run command, macro, style, font, or symbol.

While the ability to customize shortcuts is available in older versions, you should consider upgrading to Office from Microsoft 365. The subscription-based service offers a free upgrade and other benefits, such as sharing the apps with up to six family members and friends, and you get access to services like Microsoft Teams, Family Safety, Microsoft Editor, and 1TB of OneDrive storage.

Microsoft 365 gives you full access to all the Office apps and benefits like 1TB OneDrive storage and Skype minutes. You can also install Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other apps on up to five devices, and depending on the subscription, you can share the account with up to six people.

To remove a keyboard shortcut in Word, use these steps:

  • Click on Options from the bottom-left corner.
  • In the Categories section, select the category that contains the command you want to customize.
  • In the Command section, select the item from which you want to remove a custom keyboard shortcut.
  • Under the "Current keys" section, select the shortcut you want to remove.
  • Click the Remove button.

After you complete the steps, the shortcut will no longer be available in Microsoft Word.

How to reset custom keyboard shortcut settings in Word

To reset all the shortcut settings in Word, use these steps:

  • Click the Reset All button.
  • Click the Yes button.

Once you complete the steps, the keyboard settings will reset to their original configuration.

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  • Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know
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Mauro Huculak is technical writer for WindowsCentral.com. His primary focus is to write comprehensive how-tos to help users get the most out of Windows 10 and its many related technologies. He has an IT background with professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA, and he's a recognized member of the Microsoft MVP community.

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how to assign shortcut key in word 2010

How to create shortcuts

To add shortcut keys, do the following:

   1.   On the File tab, click the Options button:

Word 2010 options

   2.   On the Word Options dialog box, choose the Customize Ribbon tab:

Customize Ribbon in Word 2010

   3.   Near label Keyboard shortcuts: click the Customize... button to see the Customize Keyboard dialog box:

Customize Keyboard Word 2010

   4.   In the Customize Keyboard dialog box:

  • In the Categories field and in the Commands field, select the menu and the command you want to use
  • In the Press new shortcut key box, press the key combination you want to add or change
  • Click Assign to apply the change to the document
  • Then click Close to close the dialog box.

Customize Keyboard

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How to Create or Reassign Keyboard Shortcuts in Microsoft Office

Make commonly used tasks easier with custom hotkeys

In This Article

Jump to a Section

How to Customize Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Creating 'Hotkeys'

Additional Tips

If you spend a lot of time in Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 , you can save time by customizing your own keyboard shortcuts. Keyboard shortcuts are just one way to streamline how you work, but they can make a big difference, especially for tasks you use often. 

Shortcut assignments might vary depending on the operating system you're on and the software version you have installed.

Before looking at how to actually change a keyboard shortcut, let's open the appropriate window:

Open a Microsoft program, such as Word.

Navigate to File > Options  to open that program's options window, such as  Word Options  in MS Word.

Open the Customize Ribbon option from the left.

Choose the  Customize...  button on the bottom of that screen, next to Keyboard shortcuts: .

Creating 'Hotkeys'

The Customize Keyboard window is how you can control the hotkeys used in Microsoft Word (or whatever other program you've opened). Choose an option from the Categories: section and then pick an action for the hotkey in the Commands: area.

For example, maybe you want to change the shortcut key used to open a new document in Microsoft Word. Here's how:

Choose  File Tab  from the Categories: section.

Select  FileOpen  from the right pane, in the Commands: section.

One of the default shortcut keys ( Ctrl + F12 ) is shown here in the Current key: box, but next to it, in the Press new shortcut key: text box, is where you can define a new hotkey for this particular command.

Select that text box and then enter the shortcut you want to use. Instead of typing letters like Ctrl , just strike that key on your keyboard. In other words, hit the shortcut keys as if you were actually using them, and the program will auto-detect them and enter the appropriate text.

For example, hit the  Ctrl + Alt + Shift + O  keys if you want to use that new shortcut to open documents in Word.

You'll see a Currently assigned to: sentence show up under the Current keys: area after hitting the keys. If it says [unassigned] , then you're good to move on to the next step.

Otherwise, the shortcut key you entered is already assigned to a different command, which means that if you assign that same hotkey to this new command, the original command will no longer work with this shortcut. 

Choose  Assign  to make the new keyboard shortcut apply to the command you selected.

You can now close any open windows relating to the settings and options.

  • You can remove custom and built-in keyboard shortcuts by returning to Step 4 in the first set of instructions above. In that  Customize Keyboard  window, just select a hotkey from the Current keys: box, and use the  Remove  button to delete it.
  • Setting too many custom keyboard shortcuts can get confusing. Create them sparingly for those functions that do not already have a shortcut assigned to them. Reserve this method of reassigning or creating keyboard shortcuts for tasks that you use often.
  • The quickest way to restore all the original shortcut keys is to return to the Customize Keyboard  screen mentioned above. Use the  Reset All...  button to reset all the hotkeys to their default, original settings.
  • To view the program's default keyboard shortcuts in one simple place, select Help in the upper-right corner, and then select it again if you're using the Ribbon menu. Search for Shortcuts and find the program you're interested in, like Word, to see Microsoft's list of keyboard shortcuts.

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Create or Generate Keyboard Shortcuts for Microsoft Office

Make your tasks so much easier

Author avatar

A mouse is a handy tool, but point-and-click is a waste of time. You knew that, so you went and learned the best keyboard shortcuts for Office and Windows already.

But maybe some repetitive tasks don’t have shortcut keys. Wouldn’t it be great if you could create your own keyboard shortcuts in Microsoft Office? Well, you can.

Create or Generate Keyboard Shortcuts for Microsoft Office image 1

How to Create Keyboard Shortcuts in Microsoft Office

Let’s go through these steps in Word first. The steps are identical in Excel and PowerPoint on the desktop. Scroll down to see how to do this in Outlook.

  • Right-click on any grey space in the ribbon area and select Customize the Ribbon .

Create or Generate Keyboard Shortcuts for Microsoft Office image 2

  • The Word Options window will open. Select Customize next to Keyboard shortcuts near the bottom of the window.

Create or Generate Keyboard Shortcuts for Microsoft Office image 3

  • The Customize Keyboard window will open. Look in the Categories area to narrow down to a tab which has the command you want to create a shortcut for. That tab’s commands will show in the Commands area on the right. Select the command you want. In this example, we’ve selected FileSendPdf , as it would be very helpful to send a Word document as a PDF with a simple keystroke combination. If the command already has a keyboard combo, it will show in the Current keys area.

Create or Generate Keyboard Shortcuts for Microsoft Office image 4

  • To set a new shortcut key combination, place the cursor in the Press new shortcut key field, then press the key combo you want to use on your keyboard. Make a note of what shows under the Current keys area next to Currently assigned to . If anything but [unassigned] shows there, try another key combo.

Create or Generate Keyboard Shortcuts for Microsoft Office image 5

  • To use this key combo for all future documents, leave Normal.dotm selected in the Save changes in box. To apply the key combo to only this document, choose it in the drop-down box. 
  • Select the Assign button to apply the settings, then close the Customize Keyboard window. Press OK to close out the Word Options window. Try your new keyboard shortcut combination. 

Create or Generate Keyboard Shortcuts for Microsoft Office image 6

The FileSendPdf shortcut will automatically convert the document into a PDF, create a new email message in Outlook, attach the PDF, and give the email a Subject. One keystroke instead of a dozen or more point-and-clicks with a mouse is an incredible timesaver.

Create or Generate Keyboard Shortcuts for Microsoft Office image 7

How to Clear Custom Keyboard Shortcuts in Microsoft Office

You may wish to get rid of all the custom keyboard shortcuts you’ve made in an Office app. It’s simple to do.

Create or Generate Keyboard Shortcuts for Microsoft Office image 8

  • The Word Options window will open. Select the Customize button in the bottom-left area of the window. The Customize Keyboard window will open. 

Create or Generate Keyboard Shortcuts for Microsoft Office image 9

  • To remove the key assignments from all future documents, leave Normal.dotm selected in the Save changes in drop-down. To remove them only from this document, choose the document in the dropdown instead. Near the bottom-left, select the Reset All button.

Create or Generate Keyboard Shortcuts for Microsoft Office image 10

  • It will ask, Are you sure you want to reset the key assignments? This action will remove all keys currently assigned to macros and styles in Normal.dotm . Note that at the end of that warning, it will read either Normal.dotm or the document you’ve selected. Select Yes to confirm the reset.

Create or Generate Keyboard Shortcuts for Microsoft Office image 11

How to Create Keyboard Shortcuts in Microsoft Outlook

Of all the Microsoft Office apps, Outlook is probably the one in which you spend the most time. It makes sense to create some custom keyboard shortcuts to get things done faster. 

Unfortunately, since Outlook 2016, it doesn’t allow you to make keyboard shortcuts as we can in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. So what are your options?

It’s a workaround, but you can create Quick Steps and assign key combinations to them. This won’t give you the ability to create a shortcut key combo for everything in Outlook, but it can meet most of your needs. There is a limit of nine key combos that you can assign to custom Quick Steps.

  • Select Create New in the Quick Steps section of the Home tab in Outlook. 

Create or Generate Keyboard Shortcuts for Microsoft Office image 12

  • The Edit Quick Step window will open. Enter a descriptive name in the Name field.
  • Choose from one of the predefined actions in the Choose an Action drop-down menu. In this example, let’s go with Mark as read .

Create or Generate Keyboard Shortcuts for Microsoft Office image 13

  • String actions together by selecting the Add Action button under the previous action.

Create or Generate Keyboard Shortcuts for Microsoft Office image 14

  • Select Move to folder .

Create or Generate Keyboard Shortcuts for Microsoft Office image 15

  • The Select Folder window will open. Find and select the folder to which you want this Quick Action to move the email. We select the folder Bills for this example. Select OK to close the window.

Create or Generate Keyboard Shortcuts for Microsoft Office image 16

  • Select a key combo in the Shortcut key drop-down. Note that it’s limited to nine selections.

Create or Generate Keyboard Shortcuts for Microsoft Office image 17

  • Add a description of what the Quick Step does in the Tooltip text box. When you hover over the Quick Step later, this will appear to remind you of what it does.
  • Select Finish to complete creating the Quick Step. You’ll now see the Mark Read Move to Bills Quick Step in the Outlook ribbon. Test it using the shortcut key combo you chose in step 7.

Create or Generate Keyboard Shortcuts for Microsoft Office image 18

If you want to go a step further, you can create Outlook Desktop shortcuts using command line switches to make common tasks easier to do.

Practice Your Keyboard Shortcuts

Now you can create your own Microsoft Office shortcut keys. Print out a list of your most-used shortcuts and keep them beside your monitor. After a few days, you won’t need the cheat sheet anymore. Add in the command line switch shortcuts and it will boost your Microsoft Office productivity in no time. 

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Set Up Custom Shortcut Keys in MS Word & Make a Cheat Sheet

Evolution gave us two hands, but hopefully it will continue on and give us a few more. Just two hands are hardly fitting for the digital age.

If we could total up the seconds lost in flitting between the keyboard and the mouse, I am sure it will add up to a nice round figure. That's why keyboard shortcuts are important to learn and master. It's not a difficult skill, we have to just key in patience and practice.

The Office Ribbon still has its naysayers but I feel that when it comes to keyboard shortcuts, it gives us the easiest way to learn them. Press the Alt key and you have them displayed on the Ribbon. It's just a matter of following the letters. These keyboard shortcuts make Microsoft Office operations smooth, but it's just the first level. There are a few dozen more below the surface.

Keyboard shortcuts are not only about productivity and speed but they also help to minimize occupational ailments like tendonitis from constant computer use. So, if I am succeeding in making you fall in love with the gal called QWERTY, then you should know that you can create your own keyboard shortcuts and change the default ones in MS Word too.

By the way, Microsoft Office Online has a short but great training course on Word shortcut keys.

3 Steps To Configuring Your Own Word Shortcut Keys

The thing about customizing keyboard shortcuts is that there are some key combinations that you instinctively remember. Also there are some commands or combination of commands for which there are no default shortcut keys. For example, you can set up custom shortcut keys for macros, specific fonts, styles, and special symbols that you frequently use.

So here's how we go about bringing them all within the touch of a key.

  • To start, follow this sequence of clicks: Office Button - Word Options - Customize .

how to assign shortcut key in word 2010

  • Close to the bottom, click on the Customize button for Keyboard shortcuts to bring up the Customize Keyboard dialog box.

how to assign shortcut key in word 2010

  • In the Customize Keyboard dialog box, commands are listed for specific categories. Check the Description for what each key does. Each command has its corresponding shortcut listed in the Current Keys field. You can easily assign a different set of keys by pressing CTRL (with or without SHIFT/ALT) and a letter. MS Word lets you know if your shortcut combo is assigned to any other command or not. Choose the template to assign the key to - Normal (for all documents or the presently open document). Click on Assign and your new shortcut key is set.

how to assign shortcut key in word 2010

Setting Up A Brand New Word Shortcut Key

There are also some commands for which no Word shortcut keys are assigned by default. Take this for instance - Sending an open Word document via email.

Let's see how to configure a keyboard shortcut for that "“

In the Customize Keyboard dialog box, check out All Commands listed under Categories. In the listings on the right, scroll down to a command called FileSendMail .

Select that and press the new shortcut keys you want to have for this task in the Press new shortcut key field. Save the changes across all documents (the Normal template) or just the open one. Click on Assign to complete the process.

how to assign shortcut key in word 2010

Custom Word shortcut keys can also be set up for Macros, Styles, Fonts, Autotext , and Common Symbols .

how to assign shortcut key in word 2010

Explore the commands given for them under categories. There are probably some which you use very frequently. For example, a repeated activity like inserting your name or address as an autotext could benefit from a shortcut key.

Remembering Them All

You have just set up a dozen fresh shortcut keys and are on the threshold of boosted productivity. It will take a bit of time before you are silky smooth with them. With a single step, we can print out the list and keep it close. Here's how to have a cheat sheet for our personalized shortcut keys.

Click on CTRL+P for the Print dialog box. You can also go from the menu, but we are talking about shortcuts aren't we?

From the dropdown for Print What , select Key assignments . Click on OK to print out your keyboard shortcuts list.

how to assign shortcut key in word 2010

Note: Only those key assignments that have been reassigned from their defaults will be printed.

For a person who uses MS Word a lot, shortcut use comes from practice or purpose. For both, we have some readymade cheat sheets for download.

If you like all that's workmanlike about Microsoft Word , also check out our How To Create Professional Reports and Documents free guide.

Life isn't meant for shortcuts but Microsoft Office productivity certainly is. Are you up to speed with shortcuts or do your love your mouse more?

Image Credit: Sielarts informàtica

Daves Computer Tips

Insert Text Quickly With A Shortcut Key in Word 2010

Word

  • Create your AutoText entry as you always do.
  • Click on File | Options to display the Word Options dialog box.
  • At the left of the dialog box, click Quick Access Toolbar .
  • Click the Customize button to display the Customize Keyboard dialog.
  • Position your cursor in the Press New Shortcut Key box.
  • Click the shortcut key you would like to use (i.e., Ctrl + H). That key combination is used to open Find and Replace but you can change that, or you can select another key combination.
  • In the Categories list, scroll down and select AutoText . You will see the defined AutoText entries at the right side of the dialog box.
  • In the list of autoText entries, choose the one you defined above.
  • Click on Close to close the Customize Keyboard dialog.
  • Click on Cancel to close the Word Options dialog.

You could, instead, create a macro for your text and then assign it a keyboard shortcut. It’s all about choices and the choices are all yours!

About The Author

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Carol Bratt

3 thoughts on “insert text quickly with a shortcut key in word 2010”.

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Is there a way to change EXCEL’s FIND? When I click on OPTIONS (after opening FIND) it currently default’s to WITHIN “SHEET” and I would like to permanently change it to WITHIN “WORKBOOK” ? Thanks, Dan

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i am confused

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Your instructions for the above do not work from point 3 as I have no Customise button in the Quick Access Toolbar. There is a customise ribbon which has a Customise button but there is no Auto Text catagory. Has this changed in a later version. I am using Word 2010 in the UK.

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How-To Geek

How to add a keyboard shortcut to a command in word 2013.

Many commands in Word have keyboard shortcuts assigned to them, making it quicker to apply formatting, save the file, and perform other tasks on your documents.

Many commands in Word have keyboard shortcuts assigned to them, making it quicker to apply formatting, save the file, and perform other tasks on your documents. These keyboard shortcuts can be customized, and you can assign shortcuts to commands that do not currently have them.

We will show you how to access the keyboard shortcuts for commands in Word and add new shortcuts or change current ones.

There are a couple of ways to access the options screen for customizing the Ribbon, which is where the dialog box for customizing keyboard shortcuts is located. One method is to click the FILE tab.

01_clicking_file_tab

Click Options on the menu list on the left.

02_selecting_options

On the Word Options dialog box, click Customize Ribbon in the menu list on the left.

03_clicking_customize_ribbon

A quicker way to access the Customize Ribbon screen on the Word Options dialog box is to right-click on one of the section titles on any of the tabs on the Ribbon. Select Customize the Ribbon from the popup menu.

04_selecting_customize_the_ribbon

On the left side of the Customize Ribbon screen is a list of commands. Click the Customize button below this list next to Keyboard shortcuts.

05_clicking_customize

The Customize Keyboard dialog box displays. To list all commands in the Commands list on the right, select All Commands in the Categories list. If you know what category contains the command to which you want to assign a shortcut key, you can select that category to narrow the list of commands on the right.

Select the desired command from the Commands list. If there is no shortcut key listed in the Current keys box, there is currently no shortcut key assigned to the selected command.

To assign a shortcut key to the command, put the cursor in the Press new shortcut key edit box and press the desired shortcut key. If the shortcut key is not in use by any other command in Word, the Currently assigned to field below the Current keys box displays “[unassigned]”. Click Assign to assign the selected shortcut key to the currently selected command.

06_assigning_shortcut_key

NOTE: If you enter a keyboard shortcut that is already assigned to another command, Word informs you that it’s currently assigned and displays the command to which it’s assigned. Simply type in other shortcut keys until you find one that says “[unassigned]” as shown above.

06a_shortcut_key_taken

Once you click Assign, the shortcut key is added to the Current keys list.

NOTE: You can assign more than one shortcut key to one command.

Click Close to close the Customize Keyboard dialog.

07_shortcut_key_assigned

NOTE: To remove a shortcut key from a command, select it in the Current keys list and click Remove.

Click OK on the Word Options dialog box to close it.

08_closing_word_options_dialog

You can also change an existing shortcut key for a command by removing the current key and assigning a new one.

how to assign shortcut key in word 2010

Top Contributors in Word: Stefan Blom  -  Charles Kenyon  -  Suzanne S. Barnhill  -  Doug Robbins - MVP Office Apps & Services (Word)  -  Bob Jones AKA: CyberTaz   ✅

February 13, 2024

Top Contributors in Word:

Stefan Blom  -  Charles Kenyon  -  Suzanne S. Barnhill  -  Doug Robbins - MVP Office Apps & Services (Word)  -  Bob Jones AKA: CyberTaz   ✅

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Microsoft Office 2010 VBA: Assign Keyboard Shortcut to Macro

Howdy. I'm trying to assign a keyboard shortcut such as "Shift+i" to my Microsoft Office 2010 Word Macro. I've done some research though most of what I'm finding points me into Excel macros. I found this below video at the specific point in time in this video I don't have the option to assign a keyboard combination/shortcut to it. This part of the video doesn't work for ms word 2010 for some reason. https://youtu.be/pKR2pzB2bAg?t=400

How do I get a keyboard shortcut assigned to a macro?

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Replies (2) .

macropod

You really wouldn't want to assign "Shift+i" to a keyboard shortcut. If you did so, how would you type 'I'?

To assign a keyboard shortcut for a macro: 1. Click on File|Options|Customize Ribbon>Customize. 2. In the Categories list, choose Macros. 3. In the Macros list, click the macro that you want to assign the shortcut to. 4. In the 'Press new shortcut key' box, type the key combination that you want to use. Note that shortcuts will require the use of the Ctrl and/or Alt keys. 5. Check the 'Current keys' box to make sure that you aren't assigning a key combination that already use/need to perform a different task. 6. In the 'Save changes in' list, click the option that matches where you want to run your macro 7. Click Close.

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Jay Freedman

  • Volunteer Moderator

Going a step further, Office won't allow you to assign the combination of only the Shift key and any letter or number key to a shortcut. The only keys that can be combined with just the Shift key are the function keys F1 - F12. That's why the procedure "doesn't work" and the 'Press new shortcut key' box remains empty. 

All shortcuts (other than Shift+Fx) must include the Ctrl key, the Alt key, or both, with or without the Shift key.

4 people found this reply helpful

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how to assign shortcut key in word 2010

Create a form in Word that users can complete or print

In Word, you can create a form that others can fill out and save or print.  To do this, you will start with baseline content in a document, potentially via a form template.  Then you can add content controls for elements such as check boxes, text boxes, date pickers, and drop-down lists. Optionally, these content controls can be linked to database information.  Following are the recommended action steps in sequence.  

Show the Developer tab

In Word, be sure you have the Developer tab displayed in the ribbon.  (See how here:  Show the developer tab .)

Open a template or a blank document on which to base the form

You can start with a template or just start from scratch with a blank document.

Start with a form template

Go to File > New .

In the  Search for online templates  field, type  Forms or the kind of form you want. Then press Enter .

In the displayed results, right-click any item, then select  Create. 

Start with a blank document 

Select Blank document .

Add content to the form

Go to the  Developer  tab Controls section where you can choose controls to add to your document or form. Hover over any icon therein to see what control type it represents. The various control types are described below. You can set properties on a control once it has been inserted.

To delete a content control, right-click it, then select Remove content control  in the pop-up menu. 

Note:  You can print a form that was created via content controls. However, the boxes around the content controls will not print.

Insert a text control

The rich text content control enables users to format text (e.g., bold, italic) and type multiple paragraphs. To limit these capabilities, use the plain text content control . 

Click or tap where you want to insert the control.

Rich text control button

To learn about setting specific properties on these controls, see Set or change properties for content controls .

Insert a picture control

A picture control is most often used for templates, but you can also add a picture control to a form.

Picture control button

Insert a building block control

Use a building block control  when you want users to choose a specific block of text. These are helpful when you need to add different boilerplate text depending on the document's specific purpose. You can create rich text content controls for each version of the boilerplate text, and then use a building block control as the container for the rich text content controls.

building block gallery control

Select Developer and content controls for the building block.

Developer tab showing content controls

Insert a combo box or a drop-down list

In a combo box, users can select from a list of choices that you provide or they can type in their own information. In a drop-down list, users can only select from the list of choices.

combo box button

Select the content control, and then select Properties .

To create a list of choices, select Add under Drop-Down List Properties .

Type a choice in Display Name , such as Yes , No , or Maybe .

Repeat this step until all of the choices are in the drop-down list.

Fill in any other properties that you want.

Note:  If you select the Contents cannot be edited check box, users won’t be able to click a choice.

Insert a date picker

Click or tap where you want to insert the date picker control.

Date picker button

Insert a check box

Click or tap where you want to insert the check box control.

Check box button

Use the legacy form controls

Legacy form controls are for compatibility with older versions of Word and consist of legacy form and Active X controls.

Click or tap where you want to insert a legacy control.

Legacy control button

Select the Legacy Form control or Active X Control that you want to include.

Set or change properties for content controls

Each content control has properties that you can set or change. For example, the Date Picker control offers options for the format you want to use to display the date.

Select the content control that you want to change.

Go to Developer > Properties .

Controls Properties  button

Change the properties that you want.

Add protection to a form

If you want to limit how much others can edit or format a form, use the Restrict Editing command:

Open the form that you want to lock or protect.

Select Developer > Restrict Editing .

Restrict editing button

After selecting restrictions, select Yes, Start Enforcing Protection .

Restrict editing panel

Advanced Tip:

If you want to protect only parts of the document, separate the document into sections and only protect the sections you want.

To do this, choose Select Sections in the Restrict Editing panel. For more info on sections, see Insert a section break .

Sections selector on Resrict sections panel

If the developer tab isn't displayed in the ribbon, see Show the Developer tab .

Open a template or use a blank document

To create a form in Word that others can fill out, start with a template or document and add content controls. Content controls include things like check boxes, text boxes, and drop-down lists. If you’re familiar with databases, these content controls can even be linked to data.

Go to File > New from Template .

New from template option

In Search, type form .

Double-click the template you want to use.

Select File > Save As , and pick a location to save the form.

In Save As , type a file name and then select Save .

Start with a blank document

Go to File > New Document .

New document option

Go to File > Save As .

Go to Developer , and then choose the controls that you want to add to the document or form. To remove a content control, select the control and press Delete. You can set Options on controls once inserted. From Options, you can add entry and exit macros to run when users interact with the controls, as well as list items for combo boxes, .

Adding content controls to your form

In the document, click or tap where you want to add a content control.

On Developer , select Text Box , Check Box , or Combo Box .

Developer tab with content controls

To set specific properties for the control, select Options , and set .

Repeat steps 1 through 3 for each control that you want to add.

Set options

Options let you set common settings, as well as control specific settings. Select a control and then select Options to set up or make changes.

Set common properties.

Select Macro to Run on lets you choose a recorded or custom macro to run on Entry or Exit from the field.

Bookmark Set a unique name or bookmark for each control.

Calculate on exit This forces Word to run or refresh any calculations, such as total price when the user exits the field.

Add Help Text Give hints or instructions for each field.

OK Saves settings and exits the panel.

Cancel Forgets changes and exits the panel.

Set specific properties for a Text box

Type Select form Regular text, Number, Date, Current Date, Current Time, or Calculation.

Default text sets optional instructional text that's displayed in the text box before the user types in the field. Set Text box enabled to allow the user to enter text into the field.

Maximum length sets the length of text that a user can enter. The default is Unlimited .

Text format can set whether text automatically formats to Uppercase , Lowercase , First capital, or Title case .

Text box enabled Lets the user enter text into a field. If there is default text, user text replaces it.

Set specific properties for a Check box .

Default Value Choose between Not checked or checked as default.

Checkbox size Set a size Exactly or Auto to change size as needed.

Check box enabled Lets the user check or clear the text box.

Set specific properties for a Combo box

Drop-down item Type in strings for the list box items. Press + or Enter to add an item to the list.

Items in drop-down list Shows your current list. Select an item and use the up or down arrows to change the order, Press - to remove a selected item.

Drop-down enabled Lets the user open the combo box and make selections.

Protect the form

Go to Developer > Protect Form .

Protect form button on the Developer tab

Note:  To unprotect the form and continue editing, select Protect Form again.

Save and close the form.

Test the form (optional)

If you want, you can test the form before you distribute it.

Protect the form.

Reopen the form, fill it out as the user would, and then save a copy.

Creating fillable forms isn’t available in Word for the web.

You can create the form with the desktop version of Word with the instructions in Create a fillable form .

When you save the document and reopen it in Word for the web, you’ll see the changes you made.

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COMMENTS

  1. Customize keyboard shortcuts

    Select Remove. Use just the keyboard to assign or remove a keyboard shortcut Press ALT+F, T to open the Word Options dialog box. Press DOWN ARROW to select Customize Ribbon. Press the TAB key repeatedly until Customize is selected at the bottom of the dialog box, and then press ENTER.

  2. How to create a custom keyboard shortcut in Word

    By Mauro Huculak published 28 May 2021 You can create, modify, or remove existing keyboard shortcuts in Microsoft Word, and here's how in Office from Microsoft 365 or Office 2019. Microsoft...

  3. How to change Word 2010 Shortcut Keys

    This tutorial covers how to change the shortcut keys in MS WordIn this tutorial you are going to learn how to change word shortcut keys which can make using ...

  4. How to create shortcuts

    1. On the File tab, click the Options button: 2. On the Word Options dialog box, choose the Customize Ribbon tab: 3. Near label Keyboard shortcuts: click the Customize... button to see the Customize Keyboard dialog box: 4. In the Customize Keyboard dialog box:

  5. How to Create or Reassign Keyboard Shortcuts in Microsoft Office

    One of the default shortcut keys ( Ctrl + F12) is shown here in the Current key: box, but next to it, in the Press new shortcut key: text box, is where you can define a new hotkey for this particular command. Select that text box and then enter the shortcut you want to use. Instead of typing letters like Ctrl, just strike that key on your keyboard.

  6. Create or Generate Keyboard Shortcuts for Microsoft Office

    Right-click on any grey space in the ribbon area and select Customize the Ribbon. The Word Options window will open. Select Customize next to Keyboard shortcuts near the bottom of the window. The Customize Keyboard window will open. Look in the Categories area to narrow down to a tab which has the command you want to create a shortcut for.

  7. Keyboard shortcuts in Word

    Press Ctrl+F, and then type your search words. If an action that you use often does not have a shortcut key, you can record a macro to create one. For instructions, go to Create or run a macro or Use a screen reader to create a macro in Word.

  8. Assign Keyboard Shortcuts

    An online list for Word 2010 and above (but mostly applicable to older versions) can be found here. There are, however, many commands in Word to which keyboard shortcuts have not been assigned. If you use these commands frequently, you may want to assign a shortcut key. You can also assign keyboard shortcuts to styles, font characters, and macros.

  9. Set Up Custom Shortcut Keys in MS Word & Make a Cheat Sheet

    In the Customize Keyboard dialog box, check out All Commands listed under Categories. In the listings on the right, scroll down to a command called FileSendMail. Select that and press the new shortcut keys you want to have for this task in the Press new shortcut key field. Save the changes across all documents (the Normal template) or just the ...

  10. How do I "assign keyboard shortcuts" in Word 10

    In Word 2010 (full) the function to assign keyboard shortcuts is easily reached on the Ribbon modification dialog. A button there brings up the dialog. Volunteering to "pay forward" the help I've received in the Microsoft user community. Charles Kenyon Sun Prairie, Wisconsin wordfaq [at]addbalance [dot]com Legal site: https://addbalance.com

  11. How to Assign Style Keyboard Shortcuts in Word 2010 and Word 2007

    Custom Style Keyboard Shortcuts in Word 2010 If you want to move beyond the default keyboard shortcuts for Normal and H1 through H3, you can set up your own custom style keyboard...

  12. How to customize Keyboard Shortcuts for Word

    To assign a keyboard shortcut, keep pressing the TAB button, on the left of the keyboard till the cursor moves to the Press New Shortcut Key box. Click on the arrangement of keys that you wish to ...

  13. Insert Text Quickly With A Shortcut Key in Word 2010

    Click on File | Options to display the Word Options dialog box. At the left of the dialog box, click Quick Access Toolbar. Click the Customize button to display the Customize Keyboard dialog. Position your cursor in the Press New Shortcut Key box. Click the shortcut key you would like to use (i.e., Ctrl + H).

  14. How to Add a Keyboard Shortcut to a Command in Word 2013

    To assign a shortcut key to the command, put the cursor in the Press new shortcut key edit box and press the desired shortcut key. If the shortcut key is not in use by any other command in Word, the Currently assigned to field below the Current keys box displays " [unassigned]".

  15. PDF Word 2010 Shortcuts

    Arrow Left/Arrow Right Ctrl+Arrow Left/Ctr l+Arrow Right End/Home Arrow Down/Arro. w Up Ctrl+Arrow Down/ Ctrl+Arrow Up Page Down/Page Up Alt+Ctrl+Page Down/ Alt+Ctrl+Page Up Ctrl+End/Ctrl+Hom. e Ctrl+g or f5. Jump one character to the left / to the right. Jump one word to the left / to the right. Jump to the end of a line / beginning of a line ...

  16. How to Change Keyboard Shortcuts in Word 2013

    Launch Word 2013, then click the File Menu. From the Backstage view click the Options button. In Word Options, click the Customize Ribbon button. Then click the Cus t omize button at the bottom ...

  17. Customize keyboard shortcuts

    Go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon. At the bottom of the Customize the Ribbon and keyboard shortcuts pane, select Customize. In the Save changes in box, select the current document name or template that you want to save the keyboard shortcut changes in.

  18. How to assign shortcut key to builtin style in MS Word 2010 using vb

    I have written code for Application level MS Word Addin according to my own requirement for built in headings now i want to assign shortcut key to them. Following is the code. While using word this can be achieved by clicking on a style i.e Heading 1-> modify->shortcut key

  19. Microsoft Office 2010 VBA: Assign Keyboard Shortcut to Macro

    1. Click on File|Options|Customize Ribbon>Customize. 2. In the Categories list, choose Macros. 3. In the Macros list, click the macro that you want to assign the shortcut to. 4. In the 'Press new shortcut key' box, type the key combination that you want to use. Note that shortcuts will require the use of the Ctrl and/or Alt keys. 5.

  20. Create a form in Word that users can complete or print

    In Word, be sure you have the Developer tab displayed in the ribbon. (See how here: Show the developer tab.) Open a template or a blank document on which to base the form. You can start with a template or just start from scratch with a blank document.