Insert Text Quickly in Word with a Shortcut Key

We should all know about AutoText entries by now right? Ever want to have a shortcut key to enter a sentence or phrase in your document? Well AutoText sort of has a built in shortcut key. Once you have created your entry, you can key in the mnemonic for your entry and tap F3. That key allows the mnemonic to expand .

But if you want a special shortcut key for a particular entry, you can do that as well.

Follow the steps below to learn how:

1. Create your AutoText entry as you always do.
2. Click on File | Options to display the Word Options dialog box. In version 2007, click the Office button | Word Options.
3. At the left of the dialog box, click Quick Access Toolbar or Customize in version 2007.
4. Click the Customize button to display the Customize Keyboard dialog.
5. Position your cursor in the Press New Shortcut Key box.
6. Click the shortcut key you would like to use (i.e., Ctrl + H). That key combination is used to open Find and Replace but you can change that, or you can select another key combination.
7. In the Categories list, scroll down and select AutoText. You will see the defined AutoText entries at the right side of the dialog box.
8. In the list of autoText entries, choose the one you defined above.
9. Click on Close to close the Customize Keyboard dialog.
10. Click on Cancel to close the Word Options dialog.

You could, instead, create a macro for your text and then assign it a keyboard shortcut. It’s all about choices and the choices are all yours!

<Version 2007, 2010>