Office Settings & Configuration

How to Use Underlined Letters in Excel Right-Click Menus

Kushani Nimanthika Oct 7, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user wants to understand how to use the underlined letters shown in Excel's right-click context menus to execute commands via the keyboard.

How to Use Underlined Letters in Excel Right-Click Menus

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Navigating menus and executing commands faster using keyboard shortcuts instead of clicking with a mouse.
Observed behavior: Underlined letters appear under certain commands in the right-click menu, representing keyboard access keys, but users may be unsure how to trigger them properly.

Before you start

Ensure your Windows accessibility settings are configured to show keyboard navigation cues, as some systems hide these underlined letters until a key is pressed.

Solution 1Recommended

Using Context Menu Access Keys

Activate Excel right-click menu commands instantly by pressing their designated underlined letter.

Underlined letters in context menus act as direct access keys. Once the menu is open, you only need to press the corresponding letter to trigger the action without clicking.

Select Target Cells

Highlight the cell or range of cells in your Excel spreadsheet that you want to modify.

Open the Context Menu

Press the Context Menu key on your keyboard (usually located between the right Alt and Ctrl keys) or right-click using your mouse to open the menu.

Press the Access Key

Press the underlined letter on your keyboard for the command you want to execute. For example, press 'C' for Copy or 'P' for Paste.

Windows Settings: If you do not see the underlined letters, go to Windows Settings > Ease of Access (Accessibility) > Keyboard, and enable the option to 'Underline access keys when available'.

Solution 2

Troubleshooting the Alt Key

Understand when to use the Alt key versus when to just press the letter.

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Master Spreadsheet Shortcuts with WPS Office

WPS Spreadsheet provides seamless support for keyboard shortcuts and context menu access keys, just like Microsoft Excel. It is a highly compatible, feature-rich alternative that helps you execute commands rapidly and boost your productivity.

1. Open WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office and open your existing spreadsheet document.
2. Select Your Data: Highlight the cells, rows, or columns you wish to manage.
3. Open the Context Menu: Right-click the selected area or press the Context Menu key on your keyboard.
4. Trigger the Command: Simply press the underlined letter corresponding to your desired action to execute it instantly.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel formats (.xlsx, .xls, .csv).Supports standard context menu access keys and familiar keyboard shortcuts.Lightweight installation with a highly intuitive user interface.Free to use with comprehensive spreadsheet capabilities.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are the underlined letters not showing in my Excel menu?

By default, Windows may hide these keyboard cues. You can enable them by going to your Windows Settings, navigating to Ease of Access (or Accessibility) > Keyboard, and checking the box for 'Underline access keys when available'.

Do I need to hold down Ctrl or Alt to use the underlined letters?

No. Once the right-click context menu is already open, you only need to press the single underlined letter on your keyboard. Modifiers like Ctrl or Alt are not required for context menu access keys.

Are the access key letters the same across all versions of Excel?

Not always. While common commands like 'C' for Copy and 'P' for Paste generally remain the same, certain specific commands or third-party add-ins might use different access keys depending on your Office version.

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