How to Create Custom Keyboard Shortcuts in Microsoft Project
Question details
The user wants to know how to create and assign custom keyboard shortcuts in Microsoft Project.
- Product
- Microsoft Project
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to assign specific keyboard shortcuts to frequently used actions to improve workflow efficiency in Microsoft Project.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Project does not provide a built-in interface for assigning custom keyboard shortcuts like Microsoft Word does.
Ensure you have the Developer tab enabled in your Microsoft Project ribbon, as you will need it to record or write VBA macros.
Use a VBA Macro to Assign a Shortcut Key
Since there is no native shortcut customization interface, you can record a macro for your desired action and assign a shortcut key to it.
Microsoft Project (including versions back to 2010) does not feature the 'Customize Keyboard' dialog found in Microsoft Word. To bridge this gap, you can use the built-in Macro recorder to automate a specific action and bind it to a custom key combination.
Click on 'File' > 'Options' > 'Customize Ribbon'. In the right pane, check the box next to 'Developer' and click 'OK'.
Navigate to the newly enabled 'Developer' tab and click on 'Record Macro' in the Code group.
In the Record Macro dialog box, enter a name for your macro. Below the name, locate the 'Shortcut key' field and enter a letter to create a Ctrl + [Letter] shortcut.
Click 'OK' to start recording. Perform the exact clicks and actions in Project that you want the shortcut to trigger.
Go back to the 'Developer' tab and click 'Stop Recording'. Your custom keyboard shortcut is now active and will perform the recorded action whenever pressed.
Use External Automation Tools
If macros are disabled by your organization's security policies, use third-party scripting tools.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't Microsoft Project have a customize keyboard option like Word?
Microsoft Project is built on a different architectural framework than Word or Excel. The development team did not include the 'Customize Keyboard' interface, relying instead on VBA macros for user-defined task automation and shortcut mapping.
How can I view or change the shortcut key for an existing macro in MS Project?
Go to the 'Developer' tab and click on 'Macros'. Select the macro you want to modify from the list, click 'Options', and update the shortcut key in the provided field.
Will my custom macro shortcuts work if I share my Project file?
It depends on where the macro is saved. If you save the macro in the 'Global.mpt' file, it will only work on your computer. If you save it within the specific project file, the shortcuts will work for others provided they enable macros when opening the file.
