Keytip

Updated: 09/12/2023 by Computer Hope

In Microsoft Office programs that use the Ribbon (e.g., Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), a keytip is a visual reminder (shown by pressing Alt) that displays the keys used in keyboard shortcuts. These tips help you navigate the Ribbon using only the keyboard and without having to memorize shortcuts.

Microsoft Word Ribbon - Home tab

The picture above shows the keytips (yellow boxes) activated in the Home tab. After the keytips are displayed, press the respective letter(s) on the keyboard to activate their function. For example, if you press F, it opens File. If you use any of the keytips frequently, remember both keys can be pressed at the same time as a keyboard shortcut. For example, if we want to open File without showing the keytips, we would press Alt+F.

How to do keytips with multiple letters

Most of the Ribbons have keytips with multiple letters. For example, on the Home tab, the Comments keytip is "ZC." To access these keytips, press each letter individually. In other words, press Alt to activate the keytips, then press Z, which shows all keytips starting with "Z," and then press C.

How to do keytips on an Apple Mac

Unfortunately, keytips don't work in Office programs on an Apple Mac computer. However, you can still access the Ribbon features using keyboard shortcuts. For example, pressing Command+F on the Apple keyboard opens File.

Tip

See our Ribbon page for further information and examples on using the Ribbon and its associated keytips.

Alt key, Keyboard shortcut, Software terms