Office for Mac Issues

How to Open a Word Drop-Down Form Field with the Keyboard on Mac

Camila Milosovich Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to open a drop-down field in a fillable Word document using keyboard shortcuts on macOS, as the traditional Windows shortcut (Alt+Down) does not work.

How to Open a Word Drop-Down Form Field Using a Keyboard on Mac

Product: Microsoft Word for Mac
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Filling out a Word document form with drop-down fields using keyboard navigation on a Mac.
Observed behavior: The Windows Alt+Down keyboard shortcut fails to open the drop-down list. Functionality is heavily restricted depending on whether the form uses legacy fields, content controls, or ActiveX controls.

Before you start

Determine whether the fillable Word document uses legacy form fields, content controls, or ActiveX controls, as this dictates how they behave on a Mac.

Solution 1Recommended

Navigate and Select Options in Drop-Down Content Controls

While the traditional Windows shortcut does not apply, you can use Mac-specific keyboard navigation if the document uses supported content controls.

Word for Mac has limited support for Windows-based form controls. Legacy form field combo boxes and ActiveX controls (which are unsupported on macOS) will not respond to keyboard shortcuts like Alt+Down.

If the form is built using modern Content Controls, you can often navigate using the Tab key, though drop-down expansion still largely relies on mouse interaction on Mac.

Enable Keyboard Navigation

Go to Apple Menu > System Settings > Keyboard, and ensure 'Keyboard navigation' is turned on to allow pressing Tab to move between controls.

Navigate the Form

Press the Tab key to move through the fillable fields in your Word document.

Interact with the Drop-Down

For modern drop-down content controls, try using the Spacebar or Up/Down arrow keys to cycle through options. A mouse click may still be required depending on your specific version of Word for Mac.

Navigate and Select Options in Drop-Down Content Controls

ActiveX Controls Limitation: If the form contains ActiveX controls, they will not function at all on macOS. The document author will need to recreate the form using standard Mac-compatible Content Controls.

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1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the macOS version.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the Alt+Down shortcut not work in Word for Mac?

The Alt+Down shortcut is a Windows-specific command for expanding drop-down menus. Word for Mac relies on macOS native keyboard navigation, and legacy form fields do not support this specific shortcut.

Are ActiveX controls supported in Word for Mac?

No, ActiveX controls are entirely unsupported on macOS. Any drop-down menus or forms built using ActiveX will not function correctly on a Mac.

How can I tell what type of drop-down control is used in my Word document?

If a drop-down works seamlessly on Windows but fails or displays an error on Mac, it might be an ActiveX control or a legacy field. Enabling the Developer tab and inspecting the document properties can help identify the specific control type.

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