'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Fix Command Plus or Minus Zoom Shortcuts in Word for Mac
Question details
The user is unable to use the Command plus (+) or Command minus (-) keyboard shortcuts to zoom in and out of documents.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Attempting to adjust the document zoom level using standard Mac keyboard shortcuts.
- Observed behavior
- Pressing Command-plus or Command-minus activates text formatting features like superscript or subscript instead of zooming, or the shortcuts fail to trigger any response.
Before modifying your shortcut settings, you can temporarily use a workaround: hold down the Command or Control key while scrolling with your mouse wheel or trackpad to zoom in and out.
Restore Default Zoom Shortcut Assignments in Word
Reassign the Command plus and minus keys to the zoom function within Word's customized keyboard settings to overwrite conflicting formatting shortcuts.
In some versions of Word for Mac, the Command-plus shortcut is mapped to 'Superscript' by default. You can manually remap these shortcuts to control the document zoom level instead.
Open Microsoft Word, click on 'Tools' in the top Apple menu bar, and select 'Customize Keyboard'.
In the Categories list, select 'View'. In the Commands list on the right, scroll down and select 'ViewZoomIn'.
Click into the 'Press new keyboard shortcut' box and press Command and the Plus (+) sign on your keyboard. Click 'Assign'.
Select 'ViewZoomOut' from the Commands list, click the shortcut box, press Command and the Minus (-) sign, and click 'Assign'. Click 'OK' to save your changes.
Install the Latest Word and macOS Updates
Software bugs introduced in specific versions (like Word 16.86) or recent macOS updates can break keyboard shortcuts. Keeping both updated can resolve these glitches.
Disable Conflicting Applications and Utilities
Third-party keyboard utilities, window managers, or macOS accessibility settings might override Word's native shortcuts.
Experience Seamless Zooming and Editing with WPS Office for Mac
If Microsoft Word for Mac continues to suffer from shortcut conflicts and bugs following macOS updates, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative with intuitive, customizable keyboard shortcuts that work flawlessly on macOS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Command-plus trigger superscript instead of zoom in Word for Mac?
By default, Microsoft Word for Mac often assigns the Command-plus shortcut to the 'Superscript' formatting tool. To use it for zooming instead, you must manually reassign the shortcut via the Tools > Customize Keyboard menu.
How can I zoom in Word for Mac without using the keyboard?
You can use the zoom slider located at the bottom right corner of the Word application window, navigate to the 'View' tab on the ribbon and click 'Zoom', or hold down the Command or Control key while scrolling your mouse wheel or trackpad.
Will reinstalling Word fix the zoom shortcut issue?
Reinstalling might help if the application files are corrupted, but shortcut issues are often tied to user preference files or specific software version bugs. Updating the application or resetting keyboard customizations is usually a faster and more effective solution.
