WD: Duplicate Shortcut Keys on Menus Don't Execute Command

• Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, version 6.0
• Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a

SYMPTOMS

When a Word 6.0 menu contains two or more commands that use the same shortcut key, the first command that contains this shortcut assignment is highlighted, but the command is not executed. Pressing the shortcut key again moves you to the next command. If you press RETURN or ENTER when the command is highlighted, the command will be executed.

CAUSE

When multiple menu items are defined using the same shortcut key, Word will not be able to recognize which command you want to execute, so it will highlight the first occurrence.

RESOLUTION

Redefine the menu items so that each menu item has a unique shortcut key assignment. To reassign a shortcut key:

1. From the Tools menu, choose Customize.

2. Select the Menus tab.

3. Under Categories, select the menu you need to modify.

4. From the Commands list, select the menu item.

5. In the Name On Menu box, change the name so that the ampersand precedes a different character.

6. Choose the Rename button. Choose the Close button.

MORE INFORMATION

In Word for the Macintosh, you can select MenuMode by pressing COMMAND+TAB or F10. This modifies the menus temporarily so that an underscore appears beneath a letter. When in this mode, the underlined letter is identified as the shortcut key. Pressing this letter on the keyboard highlights the command when two or more commands are assigned the same shortcut key. If only one command on the menu has the shortcut assignment, the command will be executed when the letter is pressed.