Office Settings & Configuration

How to Assign Keyboard Shortcuts for Browse Object in Word 2003

Amos GikundaAmos Gikunda Oct 23, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to reassign or fix the Ctrl+Alt+Home keyboard shortcut to activate the Browse Object feature.

How to Assign Keyboard Shortcuts for Browse Object in Word 2003
Product
Microsoft Word 2003
Device & OS
Windows 10
Scenario
Navigating document elements using keyboard shortcuts, often in conjunction with screen reader software.
Observed behavior
Pressing Ctrl+Alt+Home fails to activate the Browse Object facility, and the screen reader provides no audible confirmation.
Before you start

Ensure your screen reader software is running and updated, as the Browse Object command itself will not produce an audible announcement without it.

Solution 1Recommended

Manually Reassign the BrowseSel Command Shortcut

Use the Customize toolbars feature in Word 2003 to manually map the Browse Object function to your preferred key combination.

In some instances, keyboard shortcuts in older software versions may become unassigned or overridden by the Windows 10 operating system. Manually reassigning the shortcut ensures the application explicitly recognizes the input.

1
Open the Customize menu

In the top menu bar of Word 2003, navigate to View, hover over Toolbars, and click on Customize.

2
Access Keyboard settings

In the Customize dialog box, click the Keyboard button located at the bottom to open the Customize Keyboard window.

3
Locate the BrowseSel command

Under the Categories list, select All Commands. Then, scroll through the Commands list on the right and select BrowseSel.

4
Assign the shortcut key

Click into the 'Press new shortcut key' text field. Press Ctrl+Alt+Home on your keyboard, then click the Assign button to save the configuration.

Manually Reassign the BrowseSel Command Shortcut
Screen Reader Feedback: The command may not produce an audible announcement on its own. You must rely on your screen-reader software to report the action.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Browse Object control located in Word 2003?

The Browse Object control is represented by a small circle and is located at the very bottom of the vertical scroll bar on the right side of the document window.

Is the Object Browser feature available in newer versions of Word?

The Object Browser was still present in Word 2007 and Word 2010, but it was officially discontinued and removed from the software starting with Word 2013.

Why doesn't my screen reader announce the Browse Object command?

The Browse Object command natively does not generate an audible alert. You must ensure your screen-reader software is properly active and configured to report the focus change when the shortcut is pressed.