How to Fix Option+Delete Shortcut in Outlook and Excel for Mac
Question details
Users need to restore the standard macOS Option+Delete word deletion shortcut in Outlook on the web and Excel for Mac.
- Product
- Outlook on the web, Excel for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Typing and editing text within the Outlook web application or Microsoft Excel on a Mac.
- Observed behavior
- The Option+Delete keyboard shortcut incorrectly performs the Undo action instead of deleting the word to the left of the text cursor.
Before proceeding, check if your macOS is up to date and test whether the Option+Delete shortcut behaves incorrectly across all your web browsers or only when accessing specific Office web apps.
Submit Feedback to Restore the Shortcut in Outlook on the Web
Because Outlook on the web currently lacks a direct user setting to override this specific keyboard shortcut change, submitting feedback to Microsoft is the primary method to push for a restoration of the native Mac behavior.
Recent updates to the web version of Outlook have remapped the standard Mac Option+Delete shortcut to trigger Undo. Since web applications handle keystrokes differently than desktop apps, a local fix is not always possible without an official patch.
Log into your Outlook on the web account and locate the question-mark icon (Help) in the top right corner of the navigation bar.
Click on the question-mark icon, scroll down if necessary, and select 'Feedback' from the dropdown panel.
Choose the option labeled 'I do not like something' to report the broken functionality.
In the text box, explain clearly that 'Option + Delete on Mac now performs Undo instead of deleting the word to the left of the insertion point,' and click submit.
Customize Keyboard Shortcuts in Excel for Mac
Unlike the web version of Outlook, the desktop version of Excel for Mac allows users to manually reassign keyboard shortcuts if they have been altered or misassigned.
Test Alternative Browsers for Outlook Web
Web application shortcuts can sometimes conflict with browser-specific keybindings. Testing a different browser can help determine if the issue is browser-isolated.
Experience Standard Mac Shortcuts with WPS Office
Frustrated by unchangeable shortcut bugs in Microsoft Office web apps? Switch to the WPS Office for Mac desktop application. It offers a fully native desktop experience that respects standard macOS keyboard shortcuts like Option+Delete, ensuring your typing and editing workflow remains uninterrupted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Option+Delete trigger Undo in Outlook on the web?
Recent updates to the Outlook web application have mapped the Option+Delete key combination to the Undo command, overriding the native macOS behavior that normally deletes the preceding word. This is a web app specific change made by Microsoft.
Can I change the Option+Delete shortcut back in Outlook web?
Currently, Outlook on the web does not offer a native settings menu to remap system-wide keyboard shortcuts. Users must submit feedback to Microsoft using the Help icon to request the restoration of this standard Mac shortcut.
Are there alternative shortcuts for deleting a word on Mac?
While Option+Delete is the standard shortcut, some users find success using Control+W or Shift+Option+Left Arrow followed by Delete to remove the word before the cursor, though compatibility can vary depending on the specific web application.
Does this shortcut issue affect the desktop version of Outlook for Mac?
This specific problem is primarily reported by users utilizing Outlook on the web. The native desktop version of Outlook for Mac generally respects standard macOS keyboard shortcuts without redirecting them to Undo.
