Using Alt to Switch Language Keyboards

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated October 22, 2024)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021


1

Shosh is using Word on a Windows 10 system. He has two languages installed, with one keyboard for each. He configured the language bar settings so that he could toggle between keyboards by using Left Shift+Alt. This works great everywhere except in Word where, instead of switching keyboards, Shosh sees the shortcut keys on the ribbon. He wonders how he can make keyboard switching work the way he expects it to work in Word.

The ribbon shortcut keys are hard-wired into Word to respond to the pressing of the Alt key. There is no way to change this behavior in Word, and this shortcut key is relied upon by many Word users—particularly those who cannot or prefer not to use the mouse—to access ribbon commands. You should also note that the Alt key is used for this same purpose in other Office applications, as well.

There are two general approaches you can use. First, if you are dead set on using the Left Shift+Alt combination, you should change the order in which you press the keys. In other words, press Alt+Left Shift instead. When you press the Alt key first, just before pressing Left Shift, then it works just fine in Word for keyboard switching. (You'll see the ribbon shortcut keys displayed, but you can still switch keyboards by following up the Alt with the Left Shift.)

The other approach involves rethinking the toggle shortcut you use. Many WordTips subscribers report having great success (and absolutely no conflicts) by configuring the toggle key to be something different, such as Windows+Spacebar or Left Shift+Ctrl. The idea would be to find a comfortable keyboard combination that doesn't involve the use of the Alt key.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (9145) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Running Word Counts

Do you need to keep track of how many words are in your document? Word provides a tool to display a word count on demand, ...

Discover More

Shortcut Key to Delete a Paragraph

There are numerous ways you can delete paragraphs as you are editing your document. This tip looks at a couple of the ...

Discover More

Conditional Calculations in Word

Word allows you to insert simple formulas, using fields, in table cells. You can also create simple conditional ...

Discover More

Discover the Power of Microsoft Office This beginner-friendly guide reveals the expert tips and strategies you need to skyrocket your productivity and use Office 365 like a pro. Mastering software like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is essential to be more efficient and advance your career. Simple lessons guide you through every step, providing the knowledge you need to get started. Check out Microsoft Office 365 For Beginners today!

More WordTips (ribbon)

Making Save As Display the Save As Dialog Box

Sometimes you just want to get to the Save As dialog box as quickly as possible. Word seems to make this increasingly ...

Discover More

Automatically Saving Changes to Defaults

Have you ever started a new document only to find that the settings in Word seem to be different than what you expected? ...

Discover More

New Page Appears at Right of First Page

When you start typing in a new document and you get to the end of the first page, Word could place the next page at the ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 0 + 9?

2021-03-23 05:46:12

Karolina

Thanks a lot!!! It drived me crazy! :)


This Site

Got a version of Word that uses the ribbon interface (Word 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the menu interface.

Videos
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.