Step-by-Step Setup Walkthrough

Upgraded and permissions stopped working? If Accelerator Keys was working before but stopped after an update, jump to the troubleshooting steps below.

1. Download Accelerator Keys.
2. Once downloaded, double-click on the .dmg file to install. The filename should look something like AcceleratorKeys_v2.x.x.dmg.
3. In the window that appears, drag the AcceleratorKeys icon into the Applications folder to enable auto-updates.
   
4. Go to your Applications folder and open Accelerator Keys.
5. Enter your email address to receive your verification code, and then enter your verification code on the next screen to activate your trial.
6. On the next screen, click on Grant Access and then toggle on AcceleratorKeys to enable necessary permissions to run ribbon shortcuts.
   
7. Once granted, click on the Quit & Re-Open button to apply the permission changes.
   
8. Take advantage of the limited-time discount offer (available for the first 24 hours) by clicking “Purchase Now” to purchase and activate your license.
9. Open up Excel or PowerPoint, hit the Option (⌥) key and then start typing your Accelerator Keys! Remember:
   • Accelerator Keys needs to see the buttons to press them, so make sure your window is as wide as possible to see them.
   • Excel must be in English.
10. If you’d like to make Mac Excel even more like Windows:
    • Change the top row of keys on your Mac to work as standard function keys without holding the Fn key. This enables you to hit F2 in Mac Excel and edit a cell more conveniently, or F9 to refresh the workbook.
    • Use the Cmd Key instead of the Ctrl Key for shortcuts that used the Ctrl key in Windows (e.g. Ctrl-D, Ctrl-R to drag formulas).
11. If Accelerator Keys still isn’t working, send me an email at [email protected]. To speed things up, please include a screenshot of Excel or PowerPoint after you’ve pressed the Alt/Option key.

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Popular Shortcuts to Try First

Once you’re set up, try these commonly used shortcuts:

• Paste Values (Alt+H+V+V) - Paste without formatting
• Paste Special (Alt+H+V+S) - Open the Paste Special dialog
• Merge & Center (Alt+H+M+C) - Combine and center cells
• Auto-fit Column Width (Alt+H+O+I) - Resize columns to fit content
• Freeze Panes (Alt+W+F+F) - Keep rows/columns visible while scrolling
• Insert PivotTable (Alt+N+V) - Create a new PivotTable
• Filter (Alt+A+T) - Toggle AutoFilter on your data

Browse all 900+ shortcut guides →

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Permission Issues After Upgrading

If Accelerator Keys was working before but stopped after an update, this is typically caused by macOS not recognizing the updated app’s permissions. Follow these steps to fix it:

1. Remove the old permission entry:
   • Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility
   • Find AcceleratorKeys in the list
   • Click on it to select it, then click the minus (−) button to remove it
   • Important: Don’t just toggle it off—you need to completely remove it
2. Re-grant permission:
   • Open Accelerator Keys from your Applications folder
   • Click the Grant Access button in the setup window
   • Toggle AcceleratorKeys on in the Accessibility settings
3. Restart the app:
   • Go to the Accelerator Keys menu bar icon
   • Click Restart Accelerator Keys (or use Quit & Re-Open in the setup window)

After restarting, your shortcuts should work again. If you’re still having trouble, email [email protected] with a screenshot of your Accessibility settings.