Shortcut Keys

If you like using Shortcut Keys instead of the mouse, you need to know that they work a bit differently in Office 2007 compared to previous versions. I recommend using Shortcut Keys as they are often easier to use than the mouse. Shortcut Keys are

combinations of keyboard keystrokes that give you access to most of the functions you would otherwise select using the mouse.

I highly recommend that you practice using Shortcuts for the functions you use most often, especially if you type using the ten-finger system. Firstly, you can work much faster, and secondly, you reduce the risk of getting a "mouse arm" because you can maintain a good working position.

By simply pressing the ALT key on your keyboard some small boxes with numbers or letters will be displayed above the Quick Access Toolbar Office Button and the individual Tabs in the Ribbon. The numbers and letters that appear correspond to the key you should press to select the function. For this you no longer need to press the ALT key simultaneously. For example, if you press "N", the Insert Tab is displayed, and the features in this Tab will be automatically highlighted with shortcuts. All you need to do is press what is in the small boxes without pressing the ALT key. 

Figure 2: Viewing Shortcuts. 

Some Shortcuts contain more characters to be pressed on the keyboard. For example, the function Increase Indent, which uses the Shortcut "AY". Here you just press A and Y in rapid succession. To arrange everything this way makes sense for someone who uses the ten-finger system. Once you have incorporated the new Shortcuts, you can work even more comfortably with the Shortcut Keys, since you do not have to twist your hands to reach the CTRL key or the ALT key in addition to another key.

Thankfully, the old shortcuts appear to be working still, so if you have very stubborn habits concerning functions such as Cut, Copy and Paste, you can still use the shortcuts you have always used. Personally, I have not had any problems yet.