It doesn’t matter what tab you’re on when you hit Alt in Excel – you’ll see the same things light up: a letter for each tab, and a number (or number/letter combination) for each QAT option. In this post I’ll stick with “access keys.” Terminology-wise, the letters and numbers that pop-up are alternately called “badges” or “key tips” or “key tip badges” or “access keys” or “hot keys” or “hotkeys.” The shortcuts that you can string together with them - the keystroke sequences - are called “keyboard accelerators.” Not everyone uses the terminology the same, so it can be confusing when you read about this subjec t. These letters and numbers guide you through keystroke sequences that allow you do do virtually anything with your keyboard - instead of clicking with your mouse - as I’ll explain below. If you hit the Alt key you’ll see the Ribbon and the QAT ( Quick Access Toolbar – just below the Ribbon) light up with letters or numbers.
If you’ve ever seen someone use both hands all day long on the keyboard in Excel, chances are they were using Alt shortcuts or “keyboard accelerators.” So what are they and how do they work?
