You want to find a command in Word without lifting your hands from the keyboard. The Tell Me search box lets you type what you need and run the command immediately, but many users click it with a mouse. This article explains how to open and operate Tell Me entirely with keyboard shortcuts, select the correct result, and execute commands without touching the mouse. You will learn the exact keystrokes for every step, from opening the box to dismissing it after use.
Key Takeaways: Keyboard-Only Tell Me Navigation
- Alt+Q to open Tell Me: Opens the search box in the ribbon area with focus on the text input field.
- Down Arrow and Enter to select a command: Navigate the dropdown list and execute the highlighted item.
- Escape to close Tell Me: Returns focus to the document without running any command.
What the Tell Me Search Box Does and How It Works
The Tell Me search box is a text field located in the ribbon area near the right side of the Word window. It was introduced in Word 2016 and is available in all current versions of Word for Windows and Mac. The box accepts natural language queries such as “insert table” or “change margins” and returns a list of matching commands, help articles, and smart lookups.
When you type a term, Word filters the dropdown list in real time. The results are grouped by category: commands that can be run immediately, links to help topics, and occasionally options to perform actions like inserting content. You can select any item with the keyboard and press Enter to execute it. No mouse interaction is required at any point.
Tell Me is not a full command line. It does not accept arguments or parameters. For example, typing “font size 12” will show the font size command but will not set the size to 12 automatically. You must still use the dialog or ribbon control to specify the value after the command runs.
Steps to Open, Navigate, and Execute Commands With Tell Me Using Only the Keyboard
- Open the Tell Me search box
Press Alt+Q. The cursor jumps to the search box in the ribbon. A blinking insertion point appears inside the text field. You can start typing immediately. - Type your search query
Type a word or phrase that describes the command you need. For example, type margins to see margin-related commands. The dropdown list updates as you type. - Navigate the dropdown list
Press the Down Arrow key to move to the first result. Continue pressing Down Arrow to scroll through all items. Press Up Arrow to go back. The selected item is highlighted with a light blue background. - Execute the selected command
Press Enter when the desired command is highlighted. Word runs the command immediately. For ribbon commands like “Margins,” Word opens the Margins gallery or dialog. For dialog commands like “Font,” the Font dialog opens with focus on the first option. - Use Smart Lookup results
If you search for a term like “copyright symbol” and the first result is a Smart Lookup link, press Down Arrow to select it and press Enter. Word opens the Smart Lookup pane on the right side of the window. - Dismiss Tell Me without executing
Press Escape. The search box closes and focus returns to the document at the cursor position. No command runs. - Clear the search box and start over
Press Escape to close Tell Me, then press Alt+Q again. The search box opens empty.
Common Mistakes and Limitations When Using Tell Me With the Keyboard
Tell Me Does Not Accept Keyboard Shortcuts as Input
Typing “Ctrl+P” into Tell Me does not run the Print command. Tell Me only matches against command names, not keyboard shortcuts. Type the full command name such as print instead.
The Dropdown List Does Not Show Every Possible Command
Some deeply nested or legacy commands are not indexed by Tell Me. For example, typing “merge cells” may show the command, but typing “table autoformat” may return no results. In those cases, use the ribbon or the Alt key sequence for the specific tab.
Tell Me Results Are Affected by the Current View Mode
If you are in Reading Mode or Outline View, Tell Me may show fewer commands. Switch to Print Layout or Draft view by pressing Alt+W, P or Alt+W, D before using Tell Me for editing commands.
Tell Me Does Not Support Multi-Step Macros
You cannot chain multiple commands in one search. Tell Me runs only the single selected command. For a sequence of actions, record a macro and assign a keyboard shortcut.
Tell Me Keyboard Navigation vs Classic Ribbon Keyboard Shortcuts
| Item | Tell Me (Alt+Q) | Classic Ribbon Shortcuts (Alt then letters) |
|---|---|---|
| Opening method | Single keystroke Alt+Q | Press Alt, then release, then press the letter for the tab |
| Command discovery | Type a natural language phrase | Must know the exact ribbon tab and button name |
| Execution speed for known commands | Slower for commands you know by heart | Faster because you can press a known sequence like Alt+H, F, S for font size |
| Help links included | Yes, Smart Lookup and help articles appear | No, only ribbon commands and dialog launchers |
| Works with add-in commands | Yes, if the add-in registers its commands | Yes, if the add-in places buttons on the ribbon |
You can now open, search, select, and execute any Tell Me command using only the keyboard. For commands you use daily, memorize the classic Alt shortcut sequence because it is faster. For rare or forgotten commands, Tell Me remains the best discovery tool. Press Alt+Q now and try typing watermark to see the dropdown list in action.