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Nicholas3239985798bb
Participant
October 8, 2026
Question

Indesign opening menus when typing

  • October 8, 2026
  • 3 replies
  • 28 views

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
    October 8, 2026

    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.

     

      Dave Creamer of IDEAS
      Community Expert
      Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      October 8, 2026

      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.

      David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
      Dave Creamer of IDEAS
      Community Expert
      Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      October 8, 2026

      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. 

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