Shortcut Keys Do Not Function as Expected on Some Web Pages (296312)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows NT 4.0 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows NT 4.0 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows NT 4.0 SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 for Windows NT 4.0 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 for Windows NT 4.0 SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows Millennium Edition SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 98 Second Edition SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 98 Second Edition SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 98 Second Edition SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 98 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 98 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 98 SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 for Windows 98 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 for Windows 98 SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 95 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 95 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 95 SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.x for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 2000 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 2000 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 2000 SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows 2000
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows Millennium Edition
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows 98
This article was previously published under Q296312

SYMPTOMS

Internet Explorer shortcut keys may not function as expected on all web pages. For example, when you press ALT+E to open the Edit menu in Internet Explorer, the focus may be set on an element on the Web page you are visiting instead of opening the Edit menu.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the author of the Web page you are visiting has used the accessKey property to set the shortcut key for an object on the Web page to the same key used by Internet Explorer. The accessKey property overrides Internet Explorer shortcut keys.

WORKAROUND

To work around this issue, follow these steps:
  1. Press the ALT key on the keyboard once.

    The File menu has the focus.
  2. Use the RIGHT ARROW key to navigate to the menu you want.
  3. Press the DOWN ARROW key to pull down the menu.
  4. Press the DOWN ARROW key to select the menu item you want.
  5. Press ENTER.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

For developer related information on the accessKey property, please see the following Microsoft Web site:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/workshop/Author/dhtml/reference/properties/accessKey.asp
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/4/2003
Keywords:kbenable kbpending kbprb KB296312
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.