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Office for Mac Issues

Fix Command+Shift+S Save As Shortcut Not Working in Office for Mac

Amos GikundaAmos Gikunda Oct 14, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user is unable to use the Command+Shift+S keyboard shortcut to trigger the Save As function in Microsoft Office for Mac.

How to Fix Command+Shift+S Save As Shortcut Not Working in Office for Mac
Product
Microsoft Office for Mac
Device & OS
macOS
Scenario
Attempting to save an existing document as a new file using the standard macOS Save As keyboard shortcut.
Observed behavior
Pressing Command+Shift+S does nothing, failing to open the Save As dialog box despite the software and operating system being fully updated.
Before you start

Verify your exact macOS and Microsoft Office versions, and try performing a simple system restart to clear out temporary system glitches before changing settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify and Reassign the Shortcut in Office Preferences

Check if the keyboard shortcut has been unassigned or overwritten, and map it back to the Save As command.

Sometimes Office updates or accidental keystrokes can remove the default shortcut bindings. Reassigning the shortcut directly in the app preferences ensures the command is properly linked.

1
Open Word Preferences

Launch Microsoft Word (or the affected Office application). Click on 'Word' in the top Apple menu bar, then select 'Preferences'.

2
Access Keyboard Customization

In the Preferences window, click on 'Ribbon and Toolbar', then select the 'Customize Keyboard' button at the bottom.

3
Find the Save As Command

Under 'Categories', select 'File'. Under 'Commands', scroll down and select 'SaveAs'.

4
Reassign Command+Shift+S

Click inside the 'Press new keyboard shortcut' box, press Command+Shift+S on your keyboard, and click 'Assign' to restore the function. Click 'OK' to save your changes.

Verify and Reassign the Shortcut in Office Preferences
Test Across Applications: Once assigned in Word, check if the shortcut works in Excel and PowerPoint. You may need to repeat these steps for each individual application if the global shortcut is broken.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my Command+Shift+S shortcut suddenly stop working on Mac?

This commonly happens when background software updates (such as screen recording tools, snipping tools, or clipboard managers) hijack the shortcut for their own functions, or when an Office update accidentally resets your custom keyboard preferences.

Can I reset all Microsoft Word keyboard shortcuts to default on Mac?

Yes. You can reset all shortcuts by going to Word > Preferences > Ribbon and Toolbar > Customize Keyboard. From there, click the 'Reset All' button to restore the application to its factory default shortcut settings.

How do I find out which Mac app is stealing my keyboard shortcuts?

Boot your Mac into Safe Mode to check if the shortcut works. If it does, a background app is causing the issue. Restart normally and systematically quit apps running in your menu bar (like Alfred, Snagit, or BetterTouchTool) until the Save As shortcut functions again.