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Office Settings & Configuration

Fix OneNote for Mac Font Size Keyboard Shortcuts Not Working

Maira MehtabMaira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to use standard or custom keyboard shortcuts to increase or decrease font size in OneNote for Mac, and their access to the Microsoft Feedback Community to report the issue is blocked.

Product
OneNote for Mac
Device & OS
macOS
Scenario
Attempting to quickly adjust the font size of selected text using keyboard shortcuts while taking notes.
Observed behavior
Default shortcuts (like Command+Shift+>) and system-level custom shortcuts do not change the font size, and the user cannot access the OneNote Community to seek help or report the bug.
Before you start

Ensure your macOS and Microsoft OneNote application are updated to their latest versions, as outdated software can occasionally cause input recognition conflicts.

Solution 1Recommended

Test Default and Custom Keyboard Shortcuts

Verify if the default shortcuts are correctly recognized by the system or attempt to remap them through macOS System Settings.

While the standard shortcut might be failing due to a specific OneNote bug on your device, it is important to test the default keybinds and ensure no other applications are overriding them.

1
Test default shortcuts

Highlight the text in OneNote and press Command + Shift + > to see if the font size increases.

2
Verify custom shortcuts

Navigate to the Apple Menu > System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > App Shortcuts. Check if you have added a specific shortcut for OneNote.

3
Check exact menu phrasing

If using a custom App Shortcut, ensure the menu title typed in the settings matches the exact phrasing used in the OneNote menu bar.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the default shortcut to increase font size on Mac?

In most standard macOS text editing applications, including many Office apps, pressing Command + Shift + > will increase the selected text's font size, while Command + Shift + < will decrease it.

Why are custom Mac keyboard shortcuts failing in OneNote?

Custom macOS shortcuts can fail if they conflict with an existing built-in shortcut, if the exact menu title was mistyped in System Settings, or due to a specific bug within the OneNote application ignoring system-level overrides.

How can I change the font size in OneNote without shortcuts?

You can manually adjust the font size by highlighting your text, navigating to the Home tab on the top ribbon, and selecting a new size from the numeric dropdown menu.