OFF2001: Cannot Use the Keyboard to Access Menus (296450)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 2001 for Mac
  • Microsoft PowerPoint 2001 for Macintosh
  • Microsoft Word 2001 for Macintosh
This article was previously published under Q296450

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Office 2001 for Mac, when you use the Excel, PowerPoint, and Word programs, you cannot use the keyboard to activate the menu bar and navigate through the menus.

CAUSE

This behavior results from a change in functionality in Microsoft Office 2001 for Mac, to make Office 2001 more compatible with Mac OS X.

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, you must install a third-party software. To find utilities that provide this functionality, browse to the following Web sites:

http://www.versiontracker.com

http://www.guide.apple.com

http://www.info-mac.com

Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.
The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

MORE INFORMATION

In the Office 98 Macintosh Edition programs, pressing the F10 key activates the menus.

Activate and Use Excel 98 Menus with Keystrokes

In Excel 98, to activate and use menus with keystrokes only, follow these steps:
  1. In Excel 98 Macintosh Edition, select Preferences on the Tools menu.
  2. On the Transition tab, edit the setting for Microsoft Excel menu or help key. By default, this is set to "/" (forward slash) and allows you to use the "/" key to activate and use the menus with keystrokes alone.
These options are not available in Office 2001 programs.

Excel 2001 Help incorrectly suggests that you can activate toolbars with keystrokes by using OPTION+F10. This keystroke combination does nothing.

REFERENCES

In PowerPoint 2001 for Mac:

For more information about inability to choose menu items with keyboard, follow these steps:
  1. On the Help menu, click Contents and Index, click Index, and then click K.
  2. Scroll down until you locate keyboard, and then click the arrow to the left to view a list of topics under the general topic.
  3. Click I pressed F10, but I can't choose menu commands from the keyboard.
If you cannot find the information that you want, ask the Office Assistant.

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/13/2003
Keywords:kbprb KB296450
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.