You may have customized keyboard shortcuts in Word and now want to return them to their original settings. Custom shortcuts can conflict with built-in commands or cause confusion when switching between computers. This article explains how to reset all keyboard shortcuts to their default configuration using the Customize Keyboard dialog. You will also learn how to reset shortcuts for a single document template and what happens to your customizations after a reset.
Key Takeaways: Resetting Word Keyboard Shortcuts to Default
- File > Options > Customize Ribbon > Customize (keyboard shortcuts): Opens the Customize Keyboard dialog where you reset all shortcuts.
- Reset All button in Customize Keyboard dialog: Removes all custom shortcut assignments and restores Word’s original key combinations.
- Organizer for template-specific shortcuts: Resets shortcuts saved only in Normal.dotm or a specific document template.
Understanding Keyboard Shortcut Storage in Word
Word stores custom keyboard shortcuts in the Normal.dotm global template by default. When you assign a shortcut to a command, Word saves the change in Normal.dotm so the shortcut works in all documents based on that template. You can also save shortcuts to the current document template, which limits the shortcut to that template only.
The Customize Keyboard dialog shows all current shortcut assignments. Commands can have multiple shortcuts, and Word lists them in the Current keys box. The Reset All button in this dialog removes all custom assignments and restores the original Word default shortcuts. This action does not affect shortcuts stored in other templates unless you choose to reset those separately.
What the Reset All Button Actually Does
When you click Reset All, Word deletes every custom shortcut assignment from Normal.dotm and restores the factory default key combinations. Word does not ask for confirmation before resetting, so you lose all custom shortcuts immediately. Shortcuts you added for third-party add-ins or custom macros are also removed. The reset applies only to the current template context you selected in the Save changes in dropdown.
Steps to Reset All Keyboard Shortcuts to Default
Follow these steps to restore all keyboard shortcuts in Word to their original settings. The process takes less than one minute.
- Open the Customize Keyboard Dialog
Click File > Options > Customize Ribbon. At the bottom of the dialog, click the Customize button next to Keyboard shortcuts. The Customize Keyboard dialog opens. - Select the Template Context
In the Save changes in dropdown, choose Normal.dotm to reset shortcuts for all documents. If you want to reset shortcuts only for the current open document template, select its name instead. - Click Reset All
Locate the Reset All button near the bottom of the dialog. Click it. Word immediately removes all custom shortcut assignments and restores defaults. No confirmation dialog appears. - Close the Dialog
Click Close to exit the Customize Keyboard dialog. Then click OK to close the Word Options dialog. Your keyboard shortcuts are now back to the original Word defaults.
Resetting Shortcuts for a Single Document Template
If you only want to reset shortcuts stored in a specific document template without affecting Normal.dotm, use the Organizer feature. This approach is useful when you work with a shared template that has conflicting shortcuts.
- Open the Organizer
Click File > Options > Add-ins. At the bottom of the dialog, next to Manage, select Templates and click Go. In the Templates and Add-ins dialog, click the Organizer button. - Switch to the Macro Project Items Tab
In the Organizer, click the Macro Project Items tab. This tab shows the templates currently loaded. - Delete Custom Shortcut Assignments
Select the template that contains the shortcuts you want to reset. Click the Delete button to remove the template’s custom shortcut storage. Word prompts for confirmation. Click Yes. The shortcuts for that template revert to the defaults from Normal.dotm. - Close the Organizer
Click Close to exit the Organizer. Then click OK in the Templates and Add-ins dialog. The shortcuts for the selected template are now reset.
What to Do If the Reset Does Not Work
Custom Shortcuts Return After Restarting Word
If your custom shortcuts reappear after you restart Word, the shortcuts are likely stored in a template that loads on startup. Check for add-in templates in the Word Startup folder. Go to File > Options > Add-ins. Under Manage, select Templates and click Go. Review the list of loaded templates. Remove any third-party templates that may be reapplying custom shortcuts.
Some Default Shortcuts Are Missing After Reset
A missing default shortcut usually means another add-in or macro has reassigned it. Open the Customize Keyboard dialog again. In the Categories list, select All Commands. In the Commands list, find the command that is missing its shortcut. Look in the Current keys box. If no shortcut appears, the add-in may have removed it. Disable add-ins one by one in File > Options > Add-ins > Manage COM Add-ins > Go to identify the culprit.
Reset All Button Is Grayed Out
The Reset All button becomes unavailable when you have not made any custom shortcut assignments. If the button is grayed, your shortcuts are already at default. You can still manually restore a single shortcut by selecting the command and clicking Remove in the Current keys box.
Resetting Default Shortcuts vs Resetting Word Settings
| Item | Reset All (Customize Keyboard) | Full Word Reset (Registry or AppData) |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Keyboard shortcuts only | All Word settings, options, and preferences |
| Effect on Normal.dotm | Removes custom shortcuts only | Deletes Normal.dotm entirely |
| Effect on document templates | Resets shortcuts for selected template | Resets all template settings |
| Recovery of custom shortcuts | Not possible after clicking Reset All | Not possible without backup |
| Recommended use | Quick shortcut reset without losing other customizations | Complete troubleshooting of Word behavior |
The Reset All button in the Customize Keyboard dialog is the safest and fastest way to restore default shortcuts. A full Word reset deletes all customizations, including macros, Quick Access Toolbar changes, and AutoCorrect entries. Use the full reset only when other troubleshooting steps fail.
You can now reset all keyboard shortcuts in Word to their factory defaults using the Customize Keyboard dialog. For template-specific resets, use the Organizer to delete custom shortcut storage from individual templates. To avoid losing shortcuts again, export your custom keyboard assignments using the Save in dropdown and store them as a .dotm backup file before making changes.