Many users find that using an external keyboard with keyboard shortcuts for Access desktop databases on Windows helps them work more efficiently. For users with mobility or vision disabilities, keyboard shortcuts can be easier than using the touchscreen, and are an essential alternative to using a mouse.
Notes:
The shortcuts in this topic refer to the US keyboard layout. Keys for other layouts might not correspond exactly to the keys on a US keyboard.
A plus sign [+] in a shortcut means that you need to press multiple keys at the same time.
A comma sign [,] in a shortcut means that you need to press multiple keys in order.
This topic assumes that JAWS users have the Virtual Ribbon Menu feature turned off.
In this topic
Frequently used shortcuts
Navigate the ribbon with only the keyboard
Work with database files
Navigate in the Access workspace
Work with menus, dialog boxes, wizards, and property sheets
Work with text boxes, combo boxes, and list boxes
Work with objects
Common shortcuts for the Design, Layout, and Datasheet views
Work in the Datasheet view
Work in the Design view
Navigate in the Form View
Navigate in the Print Preview and Layout Preview
Work with panes
Select text or data
Edit text or data
Navigate in tables and cells
Get help with Access
Miscellaneous keyboard shortcuts
Frequently used shortcuts
This table itemizes the most frequently used shortcuts in Access desktop databases.
Select the active tab of the ribbon and activate KeyTips. | Alt or F10 |
Go to the Home tab. | Alt+H |
Go to the Tell me box on the ribbon. | Alt+Q, and then enter the search term |
Display the shortcut menu for the selected item. | Shift+F10 or the Windows Menu key |
Move the focus to a different pane of the window. | F6 |
Open an existing database. | Ctrl+O or Ctrl+F12 |
Show or hide the Navigation Pane. | F11 |
Show or hide a property sheet. | F4 |
Switch between Edit mode [with insertion point displayed] and Navigation mode in the Datasheet View or Design View. | F2 |
Switch to the Form View from the form in the Design View. | F5 |
Move to the next or previous field in the Datasheet View. | Tab key or Shift+Tab |
Go to a specific record in the Datasheet View. | Alt+F5, then, in the record number box, type the record number and press Enter |
Open the Print dialog box [for datasheets, forms, and reports]. | Ctrl+P |
Open the Page Setup dialog box [for forms and reports]. | S |
Open the Find tab in the Find and Replace dialog box in the Datasheet View or Form View. | Ctrl+F |
Open the Help window. | F1 |
Exit Access. | Alt+F4 |
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Navigate the ribbon with only the keyboard
The ribbon is the banner at the top of Access, organized into tabs. When selected, each ribbon tab displays a different ribbon, which is made up of groups, and each group includes one or more commands.
You can navigate the ribbon with just the keyboard. KeyTips are special key combinations you can use to quickly get to a command on the ribbon by pressing a few keys, regardless of where you are in Access. Every command in Access can be given by using a KeyTip.
Note: Add-ins and other programs might add new tabs to the ribbon and might provide KeyTips for those tabs.
There are two ways to navigate the tabs in the ribbon:
To get to the ribbon, press Alt, and then, to move between the tabs, use the Right and Left arrow keys.
To go directly to a tab on the ribbon, press one of the following KeyTips:
Go to the File menu. | Alt+F |
Go to the Home tab. | Alt+H |
Go to the Create tab. | Alt+C |
Go to the External Data tab. | Alt+X or Alt+X, 1 |
Go to the Database Tools tab. | Alt+Y, 2 |
Go to the Table tab. | Alt+J, T |
Go to the Add-ins tab, if present. | Alt+X, 2 |
Go to the Tell me box on the ribbon. | Alt+Q |
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Use the keyboard to work with ribbon tabs
To move to the ribbon tabs, press Alt. To go directly to a tab, press its KeyTip.
To move in the group that’s currently selected, press the Down arrow key.
To move between groups on a ribbon, press Ctrl+Right or Left arrow key.
To move between commands within a group, press the Tab key or Shift+Tab.
You activate controls in different ways, depending on the type of the control:
If the selected control is a button, to activate it, press Spacebar or Enter.
If the selected control is a split button [that is, a button that opens a menu of additional options], to activate it, press Alt+Down arrow key. Press the Tab key to browse the options. To select the current option, press Spacebar or Enter.
If the selected control is a list [such as the Font list], to open the list, press the Down arrow key. Then, to move between items, press the Up or Down arrow key.
If the selected control is a gallery, to select the control, press Spacebar or Enter. Then, press the Tab key to browse the items.
Tip: In galleries with more than one row of items, the Tab key moves the focus from the beginning to the end of the current row. When you reach the end of a row, the focus moves to the beginning of the next row. Pressing the Right arrow key at the end of the current row moves the focus back to the beginning of the current row.
For more info on how to use your keyboard and KeyTips with the ribbon, refer to Use the keyboard to work with the ribbon.
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Work with database files
Learn how to use your keyboard to open and save databases and print database information.
Open and save databases
Open a new database. | Ctrl+N |
Open an existing database. | Ctrl+O or Ctrl+F12 |
Open the selected folder or file. | Enter |
Open the folder one level above the selected folder. | Backspace |
Delete the selected folder or file. | Delete |
Display a shortcut menu for a selected item such as a folder or file. | Shift+F10 or the Windows Menu key |
Move forward through options. | Tab key |
Move backward through options. | Shift+Tab |
Open the Look in list. | F4 or Alt+I |
Save a database object. | Ctrl+S or Shift+F12 |
Open the Save As dialog box. | F12 or Alt+F, S |
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Print database information
Print the current or selected object. | Ctrl+P |
From Print Preview, open the Print dialog box. | P or Ctrl+P |
From Print Preview, open the Page Setup dialog box. | S |
Cancel Print Preview or Layout Preview. | C or Esc |
From the File menu, return to your database. | Esc |
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Navigate in the Access workspace
Learn how to use keyboard shortcuts to move in the Access workspace. You'll also learn how to change how databases are shown in Access.
Switch from tabbed documents to windowed documents
By default, Access databases are shown as tabbed documents. If you want to work with documents in overlapping windows instead, you can change the document window options in the app options.
To go to the File menu, select File or press Alt+F.
Select Options. The Access Options dialog box opens.
Select Current Database.
Under Document Window Options, select Overlapping Windows, and then select OK.
Close and reopen the current database for the option to take effect.
Move in the Access workspace
Show or hide the Navigation Pane. | F11 |
Go to the Search box in the Navigation Pane when the focus is already on the Navigation Pane. | Ctrl+F |
Switch to the next or previous pane in the workspace. | F6 or Shift+F6 You might need to press F6 more than once. If pressing F6 doesn't display the task pane you want, press Alt to move the focus to the ribbon, and then press Ctrl+Tab to move to the task pane. |
Switch to the next or previous database window. | Ctrl+F6 or Ctrl+Shift+F6 |
Restore the selected minimized window when all windows are minimized. | Enter |
Close the active database window. | Ctrl+W or Ctrl+F4 |
Switch between the Visual Basic Editor and the previous active window. | Alt+F11 |
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Work with text boxes, combo boxes, and list boxes
Use your keyboard to navigate and edit content in a text box, combo box, or list box.
Edit a text box
An edit box is a blank text box in which you type or paste an entry, such as your username or the path of a folder.
Move to the beginning of the entry. | Home |
Move to the end of the entry. | End |
Move one character to the left or right. | Left or Right arrow key |
Move one word to the left or right. | Ctrl+Left or Right arrow key |
Select from the insertion point to the beginning of the text entry. | Shift+Home |
Select from the insertion point to the end of the text entry. | Shift+End |
Change the selection by one character to the left. | Shift+Left arrow key |
Change the selection by one character to the right. | Shift+Right arrow key |
Change the selection by one word to the left. | Ctrl+Shift+Left arrow key |
Change the selection by one word to the right. | Ctrl+Shift+Right arrow key |
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Use a combo or list box
A list box displays a range of unchangeable values or choices, which are automatically listed. A combo box also displays values or choices, but it does not display them until you select a dropdown arrow. With a combo box, you can sometimes enter a value that’s not on the list, as you can with a text box.
Open a combo box. | F4 or Alt+Down arrow key |
Refresh the contents of the Lookup field list box or a combo box. | F9 |
Move down one line. | Down arrow key |
Move down one page. | Page down |
Move up one line. | Up arrow key |
Move up one page. | Page up |
Exit the combo box or list box. | Tab key |
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Work with objects
Use keyboard shortcuts to edit and move within the Objects list and to navigate and open objects.
Edit and navigate the Object list
Rename a selected object. Note: You can only rename an object when it is closed. | F2 |
Move down one line. | Down arrow key |
Move down one window. | Page down |
Move to the last object. | End |
Move up one line. | Up arrow key |
Move up one window. | Page up |
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Navigate and open objects
Open the selected table or query in the Datasheet View. | Enter |
Open the selected form or report. | Enter |
Run the selected macro. | Enter |
Open the selected table, query, form, report, macro, or module in the Design View. | Ctrl+Enter |
Display the Immediate window in the Visual Basic Editor. | Ctrl+G |
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Common shortcuts for the Design, Layout, and Datasheet views
Switch between Edit mode [with insertion point displayed] and Navigation mode in a datasheet. | F2 |
Exit Navigation mode and return to Edit mode in a form or report. | Esc |
Switch to the property sheet [in the Design View and Layout View for forms and reports]. | F4 or Alt+Enter |
Switch to the Form View from the form in the Design view. | F5 |
Switch between the upper and lower portions of a window [in the Design View of queries, macros, and the Advanced Filter/Sort window]. | F6 |
Cycle between the field grid, property sheet, field properties, the Navigation Pane, Quick Access Toolbar, and KeyTips on the ribbon [in the Design View for tables]. | F6 |
Switch from the Visual Basic Editor back to the form or report in the Design View. | Alt+F11 |
Toggle forward between views when in a table, query, form, or report. Note: If additional views are available, successive keystrokes move the focus to the next available view. | Ctrl+Right arrow or Ctrl+Comma [,] |
Toggle backward between views when in a table, query, form, or report. Note: If additional views are available, successive keystrokes move the focus to the previous view. | Ctrl+Left arrow or Ctrl+Period [.] Note: This shortcut does not work under all conditions with all objects. |
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Work in the Datasheet View
Use the Datasheet View when you work with tables and queries.
Navigate between fields and records
These keyboard shortcuts work in Navigation mode in the Datasheet View.
Move to the next field. | Tab key or Right arrow key |
Move to the last field in the current record. | End |
Move to the previous field. | Shift+Tab or Left arrow key |
Move to the first field in the current record. | Home |
Move to the current field in the next record. | Down arrow key |
Move to the current field in the last record. | Ctrl+Down arrow key |
Move to the last field in the last record. | Ctrl+End |
Move to the current field in the previous record. | Up arrow key |
Move to the current field in the first record. | Ctrl+Up arrow key |
Move to the first field in the first record. | Ctrl+Home |
Go to a specific record. | Alt+F5, then, in the record number box, type the record number and press Enter |
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Navigate to another screen of data
Move up one screen. | Page up |
Move down one screen. | Page down |
Move right one screen. | Ctrl+Page down |
Move left one screen. | Ctrl+Page up |
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Select and move a column
Select the current column or cancel the column selection, in Navigation mode only. | Ctrl+Spacebar |
Extend the selection one column to the right, if the current column is selected. | Shift+Right arrow key |
Extend the selection one column to the left, if the current column is selected. | Shift+Left arrow key |
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Work with subdatasheets
Enter the subdatasheet from the last field of the previous record in the datasheet. | Tab key |
Enter the subdatasheet from the first field of the following record in the datasheet. | Shift+Tab |
Exit the subdatasheet and move to the first field of the next record in the datasheet. | Ctrl+Tab |
Exit the subdatasheet and move to the last field of the previous record in the datasheet. | Ctrl+Shift+Tab |
From the last field in the subdatasheet, enter the next field in the datasheet. | Tab key |
From the datasheet, bypass the subdatasheet and move to the next record in the datasheet. | Down arrow key |
From the datasheet, bypass the subdatasheet and move to the previous record in the datasheet. | Up arrow key |
Go to a specific record in a subdatasheet. Note: This moves the focus from the subdatasheet to the record number box. | Alt+F5, then, in the record number box, type the record number and press Enter |
Move from the datasheet to the record's subdatasheet. | Ctrl+Shift+Down arrow key |
Collapse the subdatasheet. | Ctrl+Shift+Up arrow key |
Note: To navigate between fields and records in a subdatasheet, use the same keyboard shortcuts you use in the Datasheet View.
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Work in the Design View
You work in the Design View when you design tables, queries, forms, reports, and macros.
Navigate in the Design View
Switch between Edit mode [with insertion point displayed] and Navigation mode. | F2 |
Open or close the property sheet. | F4 or Alt+Enter |
Switch to the Form View from a form in the Design View. | F5 |
Switch between the upper and lower portions of a window [in the Design View of queries, macros, and the Advanced Filter/Sort window]. Note: Use F6 if the Tab key does not take you to the section of the screen you want. | F6 |
Toggle forward between the design pane, properties, Navigation Pane, ribbon, and Zoom controls [in the Design View of tables, forms, and reports]. | F6 |
Show or hide the Field List pane. | Alt+F8 |
When you have a code module open, switch from the Visual Basic Editor to the form or report in the Design View. | Shift+F7 |
Switch from a control's property sheet in a form or report in the Design View to the design surface without changing the control focus. | Shift+F7 |
Copy the selected control to the clipboard. | Ctrl+C |
Cut the selected control and copy it to the clipboard. | Ctrl+X |
Paste the contents of the clipboard in the upper-left corner of the selected section. | Ctrl+V |
Move the selected control to the right by a pixel along the page's grid. | Right arrow key |
Move the selected control to the left by a pixel along the page's grid. | Left arrow key |
Move the selected control up by a pixel along the page's grid. Note: For controls in a stacked layout, this switches the position of the selected control with the control directly above it, unless it is already the uppermost control in the layout. | Up arrow key |
Move the selected control down by a pixel along the page's grid. Note: For controls in a stacked layout, this switches the position of the selected control with the control directly below it, unless it is already the lowermost control in the layout. | Down arrow key |
Move the selected control to the right by a pixel [irrespective of the page's grid]. | Ctrl+Right arrow key |
Move the selected control to the left by a pixel [irrespective of the page's grid]. | Ctrl+Left arrow key |
Move the selected control up by a pixel [irrespective of the page's grid]. Note: For controls in a stacked layout, this switches the position of the selected control with the control directly above it, unless it is already the uppermost control in the layout. | Ctrl+Up arrow key |
Move the selected control down by a pixel [irrespective of the page's grid]. Note: For controls in a stacked layout, this switches the position of the selected control with the control directly below it, unless it is already the lowermost control in the layout. | Ctrl+Down arrow key |
Increase the width of the selected control to the right by a pixel. Note: For controls in a stacked layout, this increases the width of the whole layout. | Shift+Right arrow key |
Decrease the width of the selected control to the left by a pixel. Note: For controls in a stacked layout, this decreases the width of the whole layout. | Shift+Left arrow key |
Decrease the height of the selected control from the bottom by a pixel. | Shift+Up arrow key |
Increase the height of the selected control from the bottom by a pixel. | Shift+Down arrow key |
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Edit using controls in the form and report in the Design View
Copy the selected control to the clipboard. | Ctrl+C |
Cut the selected control and copy it to the clipboard. | Ctrl+X |
Paste the contents of the clipboard in the upper-left corner of the selected section. | Ctrl+V |
Move the selected control to the right [except a control that is part of a layout]. | Right arrow key or Ctrl+Right arrow key to move in smaller increments |
Move the selected control to the left [except a control that is part of a layout]. | Left arrow key or Ctrl+Left arrow key to move in smaller increments |
Move the selected control up [except a control that is part of a layout]. | Up arrow key or Ctrl+Up arrow key to move in smaller increments |
Move the selected control down [except a control that is part of a layout]. | Down arrow key or Ctrl+Down arrow key to move in smaller increments |
Increase the height of the selected control. Note: If used with a control that is in a layout, the entire row of the layout is resized. | Shift+Down arrow key |
Increase the width of the selected control. Note: If used with a control that is in a layout, the entire column of the layout is resized. | Shift+Right arrow key |
Reduce the height of the selected control. Note: If used with a control that is in a layout, the entire row of the layout is resized. | Shift+Up arrow key |
Reduce the width of the selected control. Note: If used with a control that is in a layout, the entire column of the layout is resized. | Shift+Left arrow key |
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Navigate in the Form View
You work in the Form View when entering data in a form.
Navigate between fields and records
These keyboard shortcuts work in Navigation mode in the Form View.
Move to the next field. | Tab key |
Move to the previous field. | Shift+Tab |
Move to the last control on the form and remain in the current record. | End |
Move to the last control on the form and set focus in the last record. | Ctrl+End |
Move to the first control on the form and remain in the current record. | Home |
Move to the first control on the form and set focus in the first record. | Ctrl+Home |
Move to the current field in the next record. | Ctrl+Page down |
Move to the current field in the previous record. | Ctrl+Page up |
Go to a specific record. | Alt+F5, then, in the record number box, type the record number and press Enter |
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Navigate in forms with more than one page
Move down one page, or at the end of the record, move to the equivalent page on the next record. | Page down |
Move up one page, or at the end of the record, move to the equivalent page on the previous record. | Page up |
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Navigate between a main form and a subform
Enter the subform from the preceding field in the main form. | Tab key |
Enter the subform from the following field in the main form. | Shift+Tab |
Exit the subform and move to the next field in the master form or next record. | Ctrl+Tab |
Exit the subform and move to the previous field in the main form or previous record. | Ctrl+Shift+Tab |
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Navigate in the Print Preview and Layout Preview
Open the Print dialog box [for datasheets, forms, and reports]. | Ctrl+P |
Open the Page Setup dialog box [for forms and reports]. | S |
Cancel Print Preview or Layout Preview. | C or Esc |
Scroll down in small increments. | Down arrow key |
Scroll down one full screen. | Page down |
Move to the bottom of the page. | Ctrl+Down arrow key |
Scroll up in small increments. | Up arrow key |
Scroll up one full screen. | Page up |
Move to the top of the page. | Ctrl+Up arrow key |
Scroll to the right in small increments. | Right arrow key |
Move to the right edge of the page. | End |
Move to the lower-right corner of the page. | Ctrl+End |
Scroll to the left in small increments. | Left arrow key |
Move to the left edge of the page. | Home |
Move to the upper-left corner of the page. | Ctrl+Home |
Move to the page number box. | Alt+F5, then, type the page number and press Enter |
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Work with panes
Learn how to use keyboard shortcuts with diagram, grid, SQL, or Field List panes.
Use a diagram pane
Move among tables, views, and functions [and join lines, if available]. | Tab key or Shift+Tab |
Move between columns in a table, view, or function. | Arrow keys |
Choose the selected data column for output. | Spacebar or Plus sign [+] |
Remove the selected data column from the query output. | Spacebar or Minus sign [-] |
Remove the selected table, view, or function, or join line from the query. | Delete |
Note: If multiple items are selected, pressing Spacebar affects all selected items. Select multiple items by holding down Shift while selecting them. Toggle the selected state of a single item by holding down Ctrl while selecting it.
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Use a grid pane
Move among cells. | Arrow keys, Tab key, or Shift+Tab |
Move to the last row in the current column. | Ctrl+Down arrow key |
Move to the first row in the current column. | Ctrl+Up arrow key |
Move to the upper-left cell in the visible portion of grid. | Ctrl+Home |
Move to the lower-right cell. | Ctrl+End |
Move in a dropdown list. | Up or Down arrow key |
Select an entire grid column. | Ctrl+Spacebar |
Toggle between Edit mode and cell selection mode. | F2 |
Copy selected text in cell to the clipboard [in Edit mode]. | Ctrl+C |
Cut selected text in cell and place it on the clipboard [in Edit mode]. | Ctrl+X |
Paste text from the clipboard [in Edit mode]. | Ctrl+V |
Toggle between insert and overtype mode while editing in a cell. | Insert |
Toggle the checkbox in the Output column. Note: If multiple items are selected, pressing this key affects all selected items. | Spacebar |
Clear the selected contents of a cell. | Delete |
Clear all values for a selected grid column. | Delete |
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Use an SQL pane
You can use the standard Windows editing keys when working in the SQL pane. For example, you can use Ctrl+Arrow keys to move between words, and the Cut, Copy, and Paste commands on the Home tab work as they normally do. You can only insert text; there is no overtype mode.
Note: In the SQL view, Ctrl+A to select all text is only supported in Microsoft 365, Access 2016 Click-to-Run, and Access 2019. As an alternative, press F2.
Use the Field List pane with a form or report in the Design View or Layout View
Show or hide the Field List pane. | Alt+F8 |
Add the selected field to the form or report detail section. | Enter |
Move up or down the Field List pane. | Up or Down arrow key |
Move between the upper and lower panes of the Field List. | Tab key |
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Select text or data
Learn how to use your keyboard to select a field, record, or text within a field. You can also use keyboard shortcuts to extend your selection or find and replace text or data.
Select a field or record
Note: To cancel a selection, use the opposite arrow key.
Select the next field. | Tab key |
Switch between Edit mode [with insertion point displayed] and Navigation mode in a datasheet. | F2 |
Exit Navigation mode in a form or report. | Esc |
Switch between selecting the current record and the first field of the current record, in Navigation mode. | Shift+Spacebar |
Extend the selection to the previous record, if the current record is selected. | Shift+Up arrow key |
Select all records. | Ctrl+A |
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Select text in a field
Change the size of the selection by one character to the right. | Shift+Right arrow key |
Change the size of the selection by one word to the right. | Ctrl+Shift+Right arrow key |
Change the size of the selection by one character to the left. | Shift+Left arrow key |
Change the size of the selection by one word to the left. | Ctrl+Shift+Left arrow key |
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Extend a selection
Turn on Extend mode. Note: In the Datasheet View, Extended Selection appears in the lower-right corner of the window. | F8, then repeatedly F8 to extend the selection to the word, the field, the record, and all records |
Extend a selection to adjacent fields in the same row in the Datasheet View. | Left or Right arrow key |
Extend a selection to adjacent rows in the Datasheet View. | Up or Down arrow key |
Undo the previous extension. | Shift+F8 |
Cancel Extend mode. | Esc |
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Find and replace text or data
Open the Find tab in the Find and Replace dialog box. | Ctrl+F |
Find the next occurrence of the text specified in the Find and Replace dialog box when the dialog box is closed [in the Datasheet View and Form View only]. | Shift+F4 |
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Edit text or data
Use the keyboard shortcuts in the following sections to navigate to an insertion point within a field, copy, move, or delete text, and undo changes. You can also use your keyboard to enter data in the Datasheet View or Form View and refresh fields.
Move the insertion point in a field
Note: If the insertion point is not visible, press F2 to display it.
Move the insertion point one character to the right. | Right arrow key |
Move the insertion point one word to the right. | Ctrl+Right arrow key |
Move the insertion point one character to the left. | Left arrow key |
Move the insertion point one word to the left. | Ctrl+Left arrow key |
Move the insertion point to the end of the field, in single-line fields or move it to the end of the line in multiline fields. | End |
Move the insertion point to the end of the field, in multiline fields. | Ctrl+End |
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the field, in single-line fields or move it to the beginning of the line in multiline fields. | Home |
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the field, in multiline fields. | Ctrl+Home |
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Copy, move, or delete text
Copy the selection to the clipboard. | Ctrl+C |
Cut the selection and copy it to the clipboard. | Ctrl+X |
Paste the contents of the clipboard at the insertion point. | Ctrl+V |
Delete the selection or the character to the left of the insertion point. | Backspace |
Delete the selection or the character to the right of the insertion point. | Delete |
Delete all characters to the right of the insertion point. | Ctrl+Delete |
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Undo changes
Undo typing. | Ctrl+Z or Alt+Backspace |
Undo changes in the current field or current record. | Esc |
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Enter data in the Datasheet View or Form View
Insert the current date. | Ctrl+Semicolon [;] |
Insert the current time. | Ctrl+Shift+Colon [:] |
Insert the default value for a field. | Ctrl+Alt+Spacebar |
Insert the value from the same field in the previous record. | Ctrl+Apostrophe ['] |
Add a new record. | Ctrl+Plus sign [+] |
In a datasheet, delete the current record. | Ctrl+Minus sign [-] |
Save changes to the current record. | Shift+Enter |
Switch between the values in a checkbox or option button. | Spacebar |
Insert a new line in a Short Text or Long Text field. | Ctrl+Enter |
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Refresh fields with current data
Requery the underlying tables or in a subform, requery the underlying table only for the subform. | Shift+F9 or F5 |
Refresh the contents of a Lookup field list or combo box. | F9 |
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Navigate in tables and cells
Use the keyboard shortcuts in the following sections to navigate and move around in tables and cells.
Work and move around in tables
Move to the next cell. | Tab key |
Move to the preceding cell. | Shift+Tab |
Move to the next row. | Down arrow key |
Move to the preceding row. | Up arrow key |
Insert a tab in a cell. | Ctrl+Tab |
Start a new paragraph. | Enter |
Add a new row at the bottom of the table. | Tab key at the end of the last row |
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Move around in tables or cells
Move one character to the left. | Left arrow key |
Move one character to the right. | Right arrow key |
Move up one line. | Up arrow key |
Move down one line. | Down arrow key |
Move one word to the left. | Ctrl+Left arrow key |
Move one word to the right. | Ctrl+Right arrow key |
Move to the end of a line. | End |
Move to the beginning of a line. | Home |
Move up one paragraph. | Ctrl+Up arrow key |
Move down one paragraph. | Ctrl+Down arrow key |
Move to the end of a text box. | Ctrl+End |
Move to the beginning of a text box. | Ctrl+Home |
Repeat the last Find action. | Shift+F4 |
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Get help with Access
The Help window provides all Access help content.
Open the Help window. | F1 |
Go back to Access Help Home. | Alt+Home |
Select the next item in the Help window. | Tab key |
Select the previous item in the Help window. | Shift+Tab |
Perform the action for the selected item. | Enter |
In the Access Help topics list, expand or collapse the selected item. | Enter |
Select the next hidden text or hyperlink, including Show All or Hide All at the top of a topic. | Tab key |
Select the previous hidden text or hyperlink. | Shift+Tab |
Perform the action for the selected Show All, Hide All, hidden text, or hyperlink. | Enter |
Move back to the previous Help topic [Back button]. | Alt+Left arrow key or Backspace |
Move forward to the next Help topic [Forward button]. | Alt+Right arrow key |
Scroll small amounts up or down within the currently displayed Help topic. | Up or Down arrow key |
Scroll larger amounts up or down, respectively, within the currently displayed Help topic. | Page up or Page down |
Stop the last action [Stop button]. | Esc |
Refresh the window [Refresh button]. | F5 |
Print the current Help topic. | Ctrl+P |
Change the connection state. | F6, and then Enter to open the list of choices |
Switch among areas in the Help window, such as the toolbar and the Search list. | F6 |
In a Table of Contents in tree view, select the next or previous item, respectively. | Up or Down arrow key |
In a Table of Contents in tree view, expand or collapse the selected item. | Enter |
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Miscellaneous keyboard shortcuts
Display the complete hyperlink address [URL] for a selected hyperlink. | F2 |
Open the Zoom box to conveniently enter expressions and other text in small input areas. | Shift+F2 |
Copy a screenshot of the entire screen to the clipboard. | Print screen |
Copy a screenshot of the current window to the clipboard. | Alt+Print screen |
Display the full set of commands on the task pane menu. | Ctrl+Down arrow key |
Exit Access. | Alt+F4 |
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See also
Screen reader support for Access
Use a screen reader to explore and navigate Access
Use a screen reader to start Access
Technical support for customers with disabilities
Microsoft wants to provide the best possible experience for all our customers. If you have a disability or questions related to accessibility, please contact the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk for technical assistance. The Disability Answer Desk support team is trained in using many popular assistive technologies and can offer assistance in English, Spanish, French, and American Sign Language. Please go to the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk site to find out the contact details for your region.
If you are a government, commercial, or enterprise user, please contact the enterprise Disability Answer Desk.