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Nicholas3239985798bb
Participant
Oct 8, 2026 2:08 PM UTC
Question

Indesign opening menus when typing

Problem:
A keyboard input (typing, arrow keys, numbers, etc.) randomly opens a keyboard shortcut menu or window for that input.

Example:
Keyboard input - down arrow
Result - File menu opens in ribbon
 

Fix (for Windows):
Pressing the ALT key puts you into a “shortcut mode” in which your first input will always open the menu attached to whatever key is pressed.
Turn off the “shortcut mode” by just pressing alt again. 

    3 replies

    Community Expert
    Eugene TysonCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    Oct 8, 2026 4:36 PM UTC

    Yes it literally is in every app on Windows, not sure about Macs, but it’s been around for donkeys as ​@Dave Creamer of IDEAS said.

     

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      Dave Creamer of IDEAS
      Community Expert
      Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      Oct 8, 2026 5:01 PM UTC

      On a Mac, a similar feature used Control-F2, then use the arrow keys to navigate. 

      If you function keys are used for things like volume control, you will need to add the Fn key.

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      David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
      Dave Creamer of IDEAS
      Community Expert
      Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      Oct 8, 2026 3:11 PM UTC

      The Alt key menu selection has been around since the DOS days (1985). In the beginning, it was because people didn’t want to use that newfangled device called a “mouse”. Later, it became an accessibility feature. 

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      David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
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