Office for Mac Issues

Fix the Command+Period Bullet Shortcut in OneNote for Mac

John Wilson Sep 25, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to create a bullet point using the default Command+Period keyboard shortcut in OneNote for Mac.

Fix the Command+Period Bullet Shortcut in OneNote for Mac

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Trying to quickly format text into bulleted lists using keyboard shortcuts during note-taking.
Observed behavior: Pressing Command+Period does not create a bullet point, despite the shortcut being listed in the Format menu and the application being fully updated.

Before you start

Verify that your macOS operating system is fully updated, as pending system updates can occasionally cause keyboard shortcut conflicts with third-party applications.

Solution 1Recommended

Test with the macOS Accessibility Keyboard

Using the on-screen keyboard helps determine if the shortcut failure is caused by a physical hardware issue, a macOS system glitch, or an internal OneNote error.

By simulating the keystrokes virtually, you bypass the physical keyboard. If the shortcut works via the Accessibility Keyboard, the issue lies in your system settings or physical hardware rather than the OneNote application itself.

Open macOS System Settings

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions).

Enable the Accessibility Keyboard

Navigate to the Accessibility section in the sidebar. Scroll down to the Motor section, click on Keyboard, and toggle the switch for Accessibility Keyboard to the 'On' position.

Test the Shortcut in OneNote

Open OneNote and place your cursor where you want to insert a bullet. On the virtual Accessibility Keyboard on your screen, click the 'Command' key followed by the 'Period' (.) key.

Test with the macOS Accessibility Keyboard

Interpreting the Results: If the bullet point appears using the virtual keyboard, your OneNote app is functioning properly and you should check for system shortcut conflicts. If it still fails, consider reinstalling OneNote.

Solution 2

Check for macOS System Shortcut Conflicts

Resolve issues where macOS or another background application has hijacked the Command+Period shortcut combination.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Command+Period shortcut suddenly stop working in OneNote?

Keyboard shortcut failures usually occur when a recent macOS system update introduces a conflicting default shortcut, or if accessibility settings have been altered. It rarely means the shortcut was removed from OneNote.

How can I manually add a bullet point in OneNote for Mac?

You can manually insert a bullet by navigating to the Home tab on the ribbon and clicking the Bullet List icon. Alternatively, you can use the top menu bar by clicking Format, selecting List, and then choosing Bulleted List.

Is there an alternative way to quickly create a bullet list without the Command shortcut?

Yes. You can use OneNote's auto-formatting feature by typing an asterisk (*) followed by pressing the Spacebar. This will automatically convert the line into a bulleted list.

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