Microsoft Word Macro Shortcut prefix key issues

Question

Microsoft Word Macro Shortcut prefix key issues

Jim C 20

Hi!

I'm trying to assign a bunch of keyboard shortcuts for some macros I've got in MS Word and am running into issues and was hoping someone here may be able to assist.

I want to assign a specific macro with the shortcut Alt+L, but when I do this, it comes up with a message of "Currently assigned to: [prefix key]" and then wipes out a bunch of pre-existing shortcuts such as Alt+L,1 and Alt+L,2 and Alt+L,O amongst others.

So then when I assign Alt+L as I want it, and then subsequently go back to try to add Alt+L,1 and Alt+L,2 etc, it will not let me do this, saying that Alt+L is already currently assigned, even after I enter the second key (1, 2, etc)

Can you not have Alt+single letters assigned when that specific letter is already a prefix for other shortcuts/if you want to keep the prefix shortcuts with that specific letter? Or is it user error and I'm doing something wrong here?

I am running Word for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2605, Build 16.0.20026.20166) 64-bit.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read/assist!

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Answer accepted by question author

Chris Duong 10,705 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi Jim C,

Good day. Thank you very much for sharing the details of the issue you are experiencing with assigning keyboard shortcuts to your macros in Word.

Based on what you described, this appears to be expected behavior rather than user error.

In Word, Alt+L is currently being used as a prefix key. This means it is not acting as a standalone shortcut, but rather as the first part of a multi-step keyboard shortcut sequence, such as:

Alt+L, 1

Alt+L, 2

Alt+L, O

When you assign Alt+L directly to a macro, Word treats Alt+L as a complete shortcut. As a result, it can no longer function as the prefix for the existing shortcuts that begin with Alt+L. This is why those pre-existing shortcut sequences are removed or no longer work after assigning Alt+L to the macro.

Because of this, if you want to keep the existing Alt+L,1, Alt+L,2, Alt+L,O, and similar shortcuts, I recommend not assigning Alt+L by itself to a macro.

As a workaround, you may want to assign the macro to a different shortcut combination, such as:

Ctrl+Alt+L

Ctrl+Shift+L

Alt+Shift+L

Ctrl+Alt+Shift+L

Alternatively, you can add the macro to the Quick Access Toolbar, which allows Word to assign shortcuts such as Alt+1, Alt+2, etc., depending on the item’s position on the toolbar.

For your reference, you may also find the following Microsoft Support articles helpful:

I hope this helps clarify why the shortcuts are behaving this way. Should you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please feel free to share them in the comment below. I'm very happy to help.

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Here is my article on assigning Keyboard Shortcuts. https://addbalance.com/articles/Assigning%20Keyboard%20Shortcuts%20in%20Microsoft%20Word%202007-2024%20(365).htm

Look at the discussion of prefixes, which are incredibly useful. They greatly expand the number of shortcuts you can have.

Assigning a prefix uses that key combination. There is no way you could simply use Alt+L for your macro but still have it work as a prefix. It would simply run your macro before you ever get to the next key.

You could add another shortcut for your macro to those already using the prefix so that instead of simply Alt+L, you could use Alt+L, M for your macro.

Because the Alt+ key combinations trigger Ribbon key tip shortcut, I try to avoid them unless used in combination with the Shift or Ctrl key.