Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

Alt+4, Alt+5, Alt+6, Alt+7: Other buttons in the file dialog box

Posted in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint by estephen on August 15th, 2008

By now you may have figured out the pattern: When using Word, Excel or PowerPoint, and at the moment when you have a file dialog box open, you can use the Alt key plus a number to select the buttons along the top right.

We’ve already seen three:

  • Alt+1: Back (a folder)
  • Alt+2: Up one level (of folders)
  • Alt+3: Search the Web

But there are several more:

  • Alt+4: Delete (if you have a file or folder selected)
  • Alt+5: Create New Folder
  • Alt+6: Views
  • Alt+7: Tools (pulls down the Tools menu)

Because the buttons are in the same order, 1 through 7, it actually becomes fairly easy to remember which button to press.

Several of these, such as Alt+5, are actually useful. Whether or not you use these shortcuts depends on how often you use the buttons. Practice!

Remember, the easiest way to see this dialog box is to press F12 when using Word, Excel or PowerPoint to get the Save As dialog box, or to press Ctrl+O for the Open dialog box.

2 Responses to 'Alt+4, Alt+5, Alt+6, Alt+7: Other buttons in the file dialog box'

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  1. Bob said,

    on September 5th, 2008 at 10:20 pm

    These shortcuts above, the “Alt + (Number)” ones for MSWord 2007 don’t work for me! Is it because I am using Vista? I tried using each one on the “Save As” dialog box which pops up when I hit F12. Nothing. Please help?

  2. estephen said,

    on September 6th, 2008 at 9:38 pm

    I am still using Word 2003 on XP — it’s possibly just a version difference, although it’s strange that MS would break compatibility.

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