Share via

Excel's "Accelerator Keys" on Mac

Anonymous
2025-02-12T18:13:16+00:00

I’m just curious why Mac users need to fork over extra cash for a third-party app like acceleratorkeys.com to access Excel’s accelerator keys. Isn’t the Office 365 license enough? I mean, it’s not like we’re asking for the moon here. Is the development team focusing on this feature, or is there a hidden commission deal with that website? Just trying to understand why we’re paying extra for something that should be included.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For business | MacOS

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

5 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 435.9K Reputation points
    2025-02-12T19:02:36+00:00

    What do you mean by accelerator keys?

    Mac Excel always has provided a significant number of keyboard shortcuts as well as the ability to assign custom keyboard shortcuts:

    Image

    If you're referring to KeyTips they have been available for some time in fully updated subscription installations. Press & release the Option key:

    Image

    If pressing Option doesn't produce the KeyTips go to Excel> Preferences - Accessibility to activate them.

    If you're referring to something else please provide a more explict explanation using the terms which are used in the program.

    Note that if you have something other than an individual subscription KeyTips may not be available. New features are not added to the perpetual license product & are at the discretion of the license holder in managed software.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 435.9K Reputation points
    2025-02-20T17:41:51+00:00

    Well, that's why there is more than one horse in a race 🙂.

    I appreciate your preference but IMO KeyTips is an obtrusive eyesore which I shouldn't have to disable every time I launch the program or open a file. The feature is provided as an accessibility preference for those having a need for it. I'd have no problem having an option to make it persistent but I'd strenuously object to having it be active by default.

    Feel free to submit any suggestions or requests by using Help> Feedback in the menu bar.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Jim G 134K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2025-02-20T14:40:40+00:00

    Hi Nitan,

    Press and hold the Option key for a second is built-in and should work for unrestricted subscribers who have current subscription licensed versions installed.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2025-02-15T04:41:21+00:00

    I couldn’t find any information on "Option KeyTips" on the web or in Microsoft Q&A. Most responses suggested using paid tools for accelerator keys, which I plan to purchase in the future. However, I have a small suggestion for the developers: it would be great if KeyTips were set to be active by default. Your insights have been really appreciated and have helped guide my next steps.

    Thanks again for your support!

    Best:

    Nitin S.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Jim G 134K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2025-02-14T15:25:43+00:00

    Hi Nitin,

    If by accelerator key you are referring to the ability to press Return or Enter to activate the highlighted button in a dialog box, these are working fine for me. Is there a particular accelerator key you discovered is not working?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments