While the mouse and touchpad offer accuracy and ease of use, simple keyboard commands save time. Through the use of keyboard shortcuts such as key tips in MS Word 2007, users can save time by reducing all that pointing and clicking.
What are Key Tips in Microsoft Word 2007?
Key tips is a unique feature for Microsoft Word 2007. Unlike other keyboard shortcuts which must be memorized to use (such as "CTRL + C" to copy and "CTRL + V" to paste), key tips do not require premeditated memorization.
By pressing the "ALT" button, numerous options will be highlighted with various buttons such as "H" for the "Home" tab, and "N" for the "Insert" tab. By pressing only three buttons, users can access just about every command possible in MS Word 2007 without ever taking their hands off the keyboard.
How do I use Key Tips in Microsoft Word 2007?
To access key tips, simply press the "ALT" button. Once pressed, buttons will appear over various menu options, such as "Home," "Insert," "Page Layout," and so forth. Press the appropriate button, and more options will be highlighted. Once again, press the appropriate button for the desired command.
For example: To issue the "Copy" command, after highlighting the text, instead of clicking the "Copy" button with the mouse or touch pad, perform the following keyboard shortcut:
- Press "ALT"
- Press "H" (for the Home tab)
- Press "C"(for the Copy command)
Initially, this process will likely take more time than simply using the mouse or touchpad and clicking on the button in the menu. However, after a little bit of practice, using key tips shortcuts will take less time than using a mouse or touchpad.
More Information on Key Tips and Keyboard Shortcuts
By pressing the "ALT" button, the initial keys displayed only highlight main menu options, such as tabs and the File options. The initial options shown after pressing "ALT" for the first time are as follows: (for a visual, see MS Word 2007 picture 2)
- F - File: Also known in Microsoft Office 2007 as the Office Button, this menu accesses all basic file options such as Save, Open, Print, etc.
- 1 - 9: Accesses Quick Access options. The Quick Access toolbar can be customized, but the initial options are Save, Undo, Redo, Quick Styles for 1, 2, 3, 4 respectively.
- H - Home: The Home tab features all the options for basic text and format editing, ranging from modifying font size to aligning blocks of text.
- N - Insert: The Insert tab features options to insert graphics, charts, shapes, etc.
- P - Page Layout: The Page Layout tab features options to alter the whole page, such as margins.
- S - References: The References tab features options useful for referencing source material, such as footnotes and captions
- M - Mailing: The Mailing tab features options for mailing, such as envelopes and labels.
- R - Review: The Review tab features options for reviewing a document, such as spell check.
- W - View: The View tab features options for viewing a document.
After pressing one of the buttons mentioned above, more options will be listed for the specific tab. For example, after pressing the "H" button for "Home," numerous options appear such as cut (X), copy (C), paste (V), font size (FS), bullets (U), and many more (for a visual aid, see Microsoft Word 2007 picture 3). If the desired command is not listed, pressing the "ESC" button will go back one step, allowing the option to select a different tab.
Arrow Key Navigation in MS Word 2007
In addition to pressing several keys to access an individual command or option, users can press the "ALT" button and then navigate through the menu by pressing the arrow keys. After highlighting the correct tab, press the "ENTER" button, and, after highlighting the desired option, press the "ENTER" button again.
Other Keyboard Shortcuts in MS Word 2007
Aside from key tips accessed via the "ALT" button, keyboard shortcuts through the "CTRL" button can also save time.
Unlike with key tips, "CTRL" keyboard shortcuts must be memorized, as there are no visual indicators of the correct button to press.
To perform a "CTRL"-based keyboard shortcut, press the "CTRL" button, and then press another button while still holding down the "CTRL" button. Some common keyboard shortcuts include the following:
- CTRL + X = Cut command
- CTRL + C = Copy command
- CTRL + V = Paste command
- CTRL + S = Save
- CTRL + P = Print
"CTRL" keyboard shortcuts are still the fastest shortcuts, but only work for common commands. Accessing other options will still require either key tips through the "ALT" button, or with a mouse or touchpad.
Microsoft Word 2007 Keyboard Shortcuts and Key Tips - Conclusion
By learning common "CTRL"-based commands, and by using Key Tips commands for the rest, using the mouse or touchpad will soon feel like a thing of the past. Working on a document or writing an article will feel seamless once a user is comfortable enough with keyboard shortcuts to avoid the cumbersome and time-consuming mouse/touchpad.
Bradley Kairis - Bradley Kairis loves games, comedy, technology, politics, news and journalism. From the endlessly intricate strategies of Magic the ...
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