MS Access Keyboard Shortcuts are very useful in increasing your productivity. These shortcuts will work on windows, Linux, and even Mac, and surely save time while improving your workflow. Below, you will find tables listing every shortcut, broken down by category.
Table of Contents MS Access Shortcut Keys
Basic MS Access Keyboard Shortcuts
These are the basic and major MS Access Shortcut keys for your work.
Action | Windows | Linux | Mac |
Save | Ctrl + S | Ctrl + S | Command + S |
Undo | Ctrl + Z | Ctrl + Z | Command + Z |
Redo | Ctrl + Y | Ctrl + Y | Command + Shift + Z |
Copy | Ctrl + C | Ctrl + C | Command + C |
Cut | Ctrl + X | Ctrl + X | Command + X |
Paste | Ctrl + V | Ctrl + V | Command + V |
Select All | Ctrl + A | Ctrl + A | Command + A |
Navigate the Ribbon MS Access Keyboard Shortcuts
Do not use your mouse to find. way around the ribbon.
Action | Windows | Linux | Mac |
Navigate Ribbon | Alt | Alt | Command + Option + R |
Open File Tab | Alt + F | Alt + F | Command + Option + F |
Switch Tabs | Ctrl + Tab | Ctrl + Tab | Command + Option + Tab |
Move to Next Group | Tab | Tab | Tab |
Move to Previous Group | Shift + Tab | Shift + Tab | Shift + Tab |
Activate Selected Command | Enter | Enter | Return |
Close Ribbon | Ctrl + F1 | Ctrl + F1 | Command + F1 |

Ms Access Ribbon Navigation Shortcuts
Database File Operations
The most useful MS Access Keyboard Shortcuts for database file operations.
Action | Windows | Linux | Mac |
Open Database | Ctrl + O | Ctrl + O | Command + O |
Close Database | Ctrl + W | Ctrl + W | Command + W |
New Database | Ctrl + N | Ctrl + N | Command + N |
Ctrl + P | Ctrl + P | Command + P | |
Save As | F12 | F12 | Command + Shift + S |
Import Data | Alt + F + I | Alt + F + I | Command + Option + I |
Export Data | Alt + F + E | Alt + F + E | Command + Option + E |

Ms Access Database File Shortcuts
Navigate in the Access Workspace
Ways to get around the Access workspace.
Action | Windows | Linux | Mac |
Move to Next Field | Tab | Tab | Tab |
Move to Previous Field | Shift + Tab | Shift + Tab | Shift + Tab |
Move to Next Record | Ctrl + Down Arrow | Ctrl + Down Arrow | Command + Down Arrow |
Move to Previous Record | Ctrl + Up Arrow | Ctrl + Up Arrow | Command + Up Arrow |
Find | Ctrl + F | Ctrl + F | Command + F |
Replace | Ctrl + H | Ctrl + H | Command + H |
Go To | F5 | F5 | Command + G |
Menus, Dialog Boxes, Wizards, and Property Sheets
MS Access Keyboard Shortcuts for working with these user interface elements.
Action | Windows | Linux | Mac |
Open Menu | Alt | Alt | Command + Option + M |
Navigate Menu Items | Arrow Keys | Arrow Keys | Arrow Keys |
Select Menu Item | Enter | Enter | Return |
Open Dialog Box | Ctrl + D | Ctrl + D | Command + D |
Close Dialog Box | Esc | Esc | Esc |
Open Property Sheet | F4 | F4 | Command + Option + P |
Navigate Property Fields | Tab | Tab | Tab |

Ms Access Menu and Dialog Shortcuts
Keyboard Shortcuts for Text Box, Combination Box, and List Box
These MS Access Keyboard Shortcuts make it easy for one to manage form controls.
Action | Windows | Linux | Mac |
Open Combo Box | F4 | F4 | Command + Option + C |
Move to Next Control | Tab | Tab | Tab |
Move to Previous Control | Shift + Tab | Shift + Tab | Shift + Tab |
Select All Text | Ctrl + A | Ctrl + A | Command + A |
Move to Next List Item | Down Arrow | Down Arrow | Down Arrow |
Move to Previous List Item | Up Arrow | Up Arrow | Up Arrow |
Open List Box | Alt + Down Arrow | Alt + Down Arrow | Command + Option + L |
Work with Objects MS Access Keyboard Shortcuts
Manipulating objects is very crucial in Access. Here are some handy MS Access Keyboard Shortcuts.
Action | Windows | Linux | Mac |
Open Object | Ctrl + O | Ctrl + O | Command + O |
Close Object | Ctrl + W | Ctrl + W | Command + W |
Save Object | Ctrl + S | Ctrl + S | Command + S |
Rename Object | F2 | F2 | Command + Option + R |
Delete Object | Delete | Delete | Delete |
Copy Object | Ctrl + C | Ctrl + C | Command + C |
Paste Object | Ctrl + V | Ctrl + V | Command + V |
Common Shortcuts for the Design, Layout, and Datasheet Views
The following MS Access Keyboard Shortcuts are handy when working in the particular view modes.
Action | Windows | Linux | Mac |
Switch to Design View | Ctrl + Enter | Ctrl + Enter | Command + Enter |
Switch to Layout View | Ctrl + L | Ctrl + L | Command + Option + L |
Switch to Datasheet View | Ctrl + D | Ctrl + D | Command + Option + D |
Move to Next Field | Tab | Tab | Tab |
Move to Previous Field | Shift + Tab | Shift + Tab | Shift + Tab |
Save Design Changes | Ctrl + S | Ctrl + S | Command + S |
Exit Design View | Ctrl + F4 | Ctrl + F4 | Command + W |
Work in the Datasheet View MS Access Keyboard Shortcuts
Datasheet view is crucial when carrying out direct manipulation with the data in the table.
Action | Windows | Linux | Mac |
Move to Next Record | Down Arrow | Down Arrow | Down Arrow |
Move to Previous Record | Up Arrow | Up Arrow | Up Arrow |
Move to Next Field | Tab | Tab | Tab |
Move to Previous Field | Shift + Tab | Shift + Tab | Shift + Tab |
Select Entire Record | Shift + Space | Shift + Space | Shift + Space |
Add New Record | Ctrl + + | Ctrl + + | Cmd + + |
Delete Current Record | Ctrl + – | Ctrl + – | Cmd + – |
Work in the Design View MS Access Keyboard Shortcuts
The following MS Access Keyboard Shortcuts are useful when designing forms and reports.
Action | Windows | Linux | Mac |
Add New Field | Ctrl + F6 | Ctrl + F6 | Cmd + Option + F6 |
Open Field Properties | F4 | F4 | Cmd + Option + P |
Move Between Fields | Arrow Keys | Arrow Keys | Arrow Keys |
Save Design | Ctrl + S | Ctrl + S | Cmd + S |
Close Design View | Ctrl + W | Ctrl + W | Cmd + W |
Select Field | F2 | F2 | Cmd + E |
Delete Field | Del | Del | Delete |
Navigate in the Form View MS Access Keyboard Shortcuts
Form view is essential for data entering and relevant record viewing.
Action | Windows | Linux | Mac |
Move to Next Record | Down Arrow | Down Arrow | Down Arrow |
Move to Previous Record | Up Arrow | Up Arrow | Up Arrow |
Move to Next Field | Tab | Tab | Tab |
Move to Previous Field | Shift + Tab | Shift + Tab | Shift + Tab |
Add New Record | Ctrl + + | Ctrl + + | Cmd + + |
Delete Current Record | Ctrl + – | Ctrl + – | Cmd + – |
Print Form | Ctrl + P | Ctrl + P | Cmd + P |
Navigate in the Print Preview and Layout Preview
Print preview will show how the report or Form will look once printed.
Action | Windows | Linux | Mac |
Zoom In | Ctrl + Shift + > | Ctrl + Shift + > | Cmd + Shift + > |
Zoom Out | Ctrl + Shift + < | Ctrl + Shift + < | Cmd + Shift + < |
Move Between Pages | Arrow Keys | Arrow Keys | Arrow Keys |
Close Preview | Esc | Esc | Esc |
Print Document | Ctrl + P | Ctrl + P | Cmd + P |
Show Gridlines | Alt + G | Alt + G | Ctrl + Option + G |
Change Page Layout | Alt + P | Alt + P | Ctrl + Option + P |
Work with Panes MS Access Keyboard Shortcuts
Panes can be used to keep different parts of your database.
Action | Windows | Linux | Mac |
Open Navigation Pane | F11 | F11 | Cmd + Option + 1 |
Close Navigation Pane | Shift + F11 | Shift + F11 | Cmd + Option + 2 |
Open Properties Pane | F4 | F4 | Cmd + Option + P |
Open Field List Pane | Alt + F8 | Alt + F8 | Ctrl + Option + F8 |
Move Between Panes | F6 | F6 | Cmd + F6 |
Move to Next Pane | Tab | Tab | Tab |
Move to Previous Pane | Shift + Tab | Shift + Tab | Shift + Tab |

Ms Access Pane Navigation Shortcuts Table
Select Text or Data MS Access Keyboard Shortcuts
Text selection is highlighted quickly so that it can be edited in some way or formatted.
Action | Windows | Linux | Mac |
Select All | Ctrl + A | Ctrl + A | Cmd + A |
Select Text | Shift + Arrow Keys | Shift + Arrow Keys | Shift + Arrow Keys |
Deselect | Esc | Esc | Esc |
Extend Selection | Ctrl + Shift + Arrow | Ctrl + Shift + Arrow | Cmd + Shift + Arrow |
Select Line | Shift + End | Shift + End | Shift + Cmd + Right |
Select to Beginning of Line | Shift + Home | Shift + Home | Shift + Cmd + Left |
Select Entire Field | Ctrl + Shift + Space | Ctrl + Shift + Space | Cmd + Shift + Space |
Edit Text or Data MS Access Keyboard Shortcuts
Editing data efficiently can save lots of time.
Action | Windows | Linux | Mac |
Cut | Ctrl + X | Ctrl + X | Cmd + X |
Copy | Ctrl + C | Ctrl + C | Cmd + C |
Paste | Ctrl + V | Ctrl + V | Cmd + V |
Undo | Ctrl + Z | Ctrl + Z | Cmd + Z |
Redo | Ctrl + Y | Ctrl + Y | Cmd + Shift + Z |
Find | Ctrl + F | Ctrl + F | Cmd + F |
Replace | Ctrl + H | Ctrl + H | Cmd + H |
Navigate in Tables and Cells MS Access Keyboard Shortcuts
Tables are the skeleton of any database, and moving around them seamlessly is essential.
Action | Windows | Linux | Mac |
Move to Next Cell | Tab | Tab | Tab |
Move to Previous Cell | Shift + Tab | Shift + Tab | Shift + Tab |
Move to Next Row | Down Arrow | Down Arrow | Down Arrow |
Move to Previous Row | Up Arrow | Up Arrow | Up Arrow |
Select Entire Row | Shift + Space | Shift + Space | Shift + Space |
Select Entire Column | Ctrl + Space | Ctrl + Space | Cmd + Space |
Move to First Cell | Ctrl + Home | Ctrl + Home | Cmd + Home |

Ms Access Table Navigation Shortcuts Table
Get Help with Access MS Access Keyboard Shortcuts
Knowing how to get help quickly while stranded can save your life.
Action | Windows | Linux | Mac |
Open Help | F1 | F1 | Cmd + ? |
Open Search | Ctrl + F | Ctrl + F | Cmd + F |
Get Online Help | F3 | F3 | Cmd + Shift + ? |
Open Help Pane | F2 | F2 | Cmd + Option + ? |
Navigate Help Topics | Arrow Keys | Arrow Keys | Arrow Keys |
Close Help | Esc | Esc | Esc |
Print Help | Ctrl + P | Ctrl + P | Cmd + P |
Miscellaneous MS Access Keyboard Shortcuts
Following are a few more MS Access Keyboard Shortcuts that don’t fit neatly into the above categories but are still pretty useful
Action | Windows | Linux | Mac |
Open Settings | Alt + F | Alt + F | Cmd + , |
Refresh | F5 | F5 | Cmd + R |
Open Task Manager | Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Cmd + Option + Esc |
Toggle Full Screen | F11 | F11 | Cmd + Control + F |
Open Run Dialog | Windows + R | Alt + F2 | Cmd + Space |
Minimize All Windows | Windows + D | Ctrl + Alt + D | Cmd + Option + M |
Lock Screen | Windows + L | Ctrl + Alt + L | Cmd + Control + Q |

Conclusion:
After learning all these Ms Access shortcut keys, you can get the ultimate boost in productivity and efficiency that you ever wanted to work on because be it databases, be it windows, Linux, or even a Mac—easy navigation, editing, and data management become some of the features these shortcut keys will offer to you.
Frequently Asked Questions: MS Access Shortcut Keys
• What is MS Access Keyboard Shortcuts?
The Microsoft database Ms Access combines software development tools and a graphical user interface with the Microsoft Jet database.
• Can I customize the MS Access Keyboard Shortcuts?
Yes, but there are few that can be customized compared to most applications
• Is there a quick way in Microsoft Access to establish a new database?
The shortcut key used to create a new database in Ms Access is Ctrl+N for the case of Windows and Linux and Cmd+N in the case of Mac.
• Any differences related to Access shortcuts on Win vs. Mac?
Yeah though most of the sort cut is the same a few should be because of the difference of operating system.
• WHAT THE SHORTCUT KEY TO OPEN MS ACCESS?
There is no specified shortcut key to open MS Access for a shortcut. However, you easily open it using Windows + R and typing in msaccess, then Enter. That will expose what you need, and using the mouse takes more time than quickly starting to work this way rather than going up the Start menu.
• Can I use keyboard shortcuts in MS Word
Yes, MS Access supports keyboard shortcuts. Pressing the Alt key displays underlined letters and numbers in the Ribbon. One actually learns that a key tip will display at some of the later time when hovering over the bottom part, when the corresponding letter is pressed. One can also use some familiar Windows shortcuts, such as Ctrl + C or Ctrl + Z.
• How do I do this, likely applicable to customising MS Access?
This is a very fast and easily performed way to tack on append and add utility to what’s already a pretty-good set of shortcuts, even though MS Access itself does not support making many of its out-of-the-box features custom keyboard shortcuts. Instead, you would write as many VBA scripts or custom macros as necessary to complete a task, then just link those macros to buttons and other controls. that you would add to your forms or reports. In that way, you would have a set of shortcuts custom-designed for you to use in Access.
• Will my Excel-like shortcuts work in MS Access?
Most probable is that most of the Excel shortcuts work in MS Access, especially the editing of text or even navigating in the tables. Some common ones are Ctrl + C or Ctrl + Ins for copy, Ctrl + V or Shift + Ins for paste, and Ctrl + Z for undo. Indeed, all exist in MS Access as well. However the Excel shortcuts that has to do with the spreadsheet may not be entirely relevant here since MS Access was to address databases and not to tinker with the spreadsheets.
• How best can you learn the keyboard shortcuts in MS Access?
The best way to become aware of all available shortcuts in MS Access is by practice. See what you are using quite frequently, say, for instance, Ctrl + S to save or Alt + F4 to close. After identifying, working on MS Access should be open, and try to use it more and more in your work. You can also try some inbuilt help documents of MS Access, or any other online resources, to have a complete list.
• Is there any shortcut character that goes round about the tabs in MS Access?
Yes, you can comfortably transverse from one open tab to the other in MS Access via use of Ctrl+ Tab. It cycles you through all the open objects; hence, you will be able to comfortably work on various items without clicking on each tab.
• How do I close MS Access quickly without using a mouse?
You can even close MS Access without the use of your mouse. Just hit Alt + F4, and the application closes. Supposedly, in case some of the changes are not saved, MS Access will ask before it closes.
• What is the keyboard shortcut to execute a query in MS Access?
You can run a query in MS Access using F5. The current query or macro runs and produces your output without the necessity of using the Ribbon.
• Is there any shortcut in MS Access through which you can undo multiple commands?
Yes, to undo several actions press successively Ctrl + Z. For every click on Ctrl + Z, MS Access will undo what you clicked during your last action. This is very useful, especially in such instances where you wish to undo your way all through after you have made lots of changes
• How do I create a new table using a shortcut key in MS Access?
Creating a new table in Access can now be done with Ctrl + T, and it brings that perception of the Table Design View where you would start right up now, creating definitions of fields and data types for your new table. You are now able to create a new table quickly using Ctrl + T, right where you left off defining fields and data types.
Press Ctrl + (the backquote key). This toggles between these two views, making it easy to edit your table structure and then immediately view your data.