Microsoft Word keyboard shortcuts for Mac
Edit, format and review documents using the Mac bindings and the correct editing context.
Documentation reviewed 2026-11-05 · 6 task guides · Mac bindings and focus notes
What do you want to do?
Add comments and toggle Track Changes in Word for Mac
Command-Option-A inserts a comment in Word for Mac. Command-Shift-E toggles change tracking. A comment explains or asks about a passage; Track Changes records edits while that feature is on.
Steps, keys and context ↗Find and replace text in Word for Mac
Command-F moves focus to Word for Mac’s document search. Control-H opens Find and Replace. These are Microsoft’s documented Mac bindings; do not assume a Windows command changes simply by replacing Control with Command.
Steps, keys and context ↗Apply bold, italic and underline in Word for Mac
In Word for Mac, Command-B applies bold, Command-I italic and Command-U underline. Select the intended text first, or a formatting toggle may affect what you type next rather than existing words.
Steps, keys and context ↗Insert page and line breaks in Word for Mac
Command-Return inserts a page break in Word for Mac. Shift-Return inserts a line break; Command-Shift-Return inserts a column break. The correct choice depends on whether you are changing a paragraph, a page or a multi-column layout.
Steps, keys and context ↗Align and space paragraphs in Word for Mac
Word for Mac uses Command-L, Command-E, Command-R and Command-J for left, center, right and justified paragraph alignment. Command-1 sets single spacing and Command-2 double spacing.
Steps, keys and context ↗Move through Word table cells on Mac
Tab moves to the next Word table cell on Mac, while Shift-Tab returns to the previous cell. Option-Tab inserts a tab character inside a cell. At the end of the final row, Tab adds a new row.
Steps, keys and context ↗
Quick reference
Selected bindings from the linked task guides. Check the context before pressing a key: the focused control, app version and your custom settings can change what it does. This is a documentation reference, not an exhaustive live menu reading.
| Action | Keys | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Insert comment | Command-Option-A | Anchor a review note to the relevant document content. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Find document text | Command-F | Move to the Search in Document box. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Bold | Command-B | Apply or toggle bold for the intended selection. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Page break | Command-Return | Start the following content on a new page. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Align left | Command-L | Apply paragraph alignment, not character positioning. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Next table cell | Tab | Move to the following cell and select its content. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Toggle change tracking | Command-Shift-E | Check the visible review state after using this toggle. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Find and Replace pane | Control-H | Inspect search, replacement and scope before applying a change. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Italic | Command-I | Apply italic emphasis to selected text. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Line break | Shift-Return | Move to another line within the paragraph. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Center paragraph | Command-E | Center the paragraph within its available width. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Previous table cell | Shift-Tab | Return to the previous cell. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Undo last edit | Command-Z | Reverse an unintended document edit when appropriate. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Go To | Command-Option-G | Navigate to a document location through the Go To dialog. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Underline | Command-U | Underline the selected text. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Column break | Command-Shift-Return | Advance within an applicable multi-column layout. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Align right | Command-R | Align the paragraph to its right edge. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Tab inside a cell | Option-Tab | Insert a tab character rather than moving cells. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
When a shortcut behaves differently
- Confirm you are using the Mac binding, and check whether the guide describes a desktop app or its web version.
- Put focus in the control named in the guide. Editing text, selecting an object and navigating a sidebar can use different keys.
- Look up the command in the app's menu or shortcut settings. Customized keys and non-US keyboard layouts can differ from documented defaults.
The cited documentation was checked for these guides; a documentation review is separate from testing your particular running app. How we verify and update guides →
Official sources
- Keyboard shortcuts in Word — Microsoft Support, Mac section — checked 2026-11-05