Formatting Keyboard Shortcuts in Instructions
Formatting Keyboard Shortcuts in Instructions records the relevant Microsoft Style Guide convention while keeping it explicitly house-style scoped rather than presenting it as a universal grammar rule.
Use the documented key names and plus signs for simultaneous keyboard shortcuts, such as Ctrl+Alt+Delete, and use select when describing the action in Microsoft-style instructions.
Key details
Important caveats
Scope Boundary
Document shortcuts when they are useful to the audience, and preserve the actual platform’s key names.
Further guidance
Content
Use the documented key names and plus signs for simultaneous keyboard shortcuts, such as Ctrl+Alt+Delete, and use select when describing the action in Microsoft-style instructions.
Purpose
Microsoft provides explicit conventions for key names, shortcut terminology, combinations, and instruction verbs.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Keys and keyboard shortcuts — Microsoft Style Guide (opens in a new tab)Microsoft · Microsoft Style Guide guidance for naming and presenting keyboard shortcuts and key combinations in technical instructions.
- Formatting text in instructions — Microsoft Style Guide (opens in a new tab)Microsoft · Current Microsoft technical-style conventions for formatting UI references, user input, commands, code-related elements, and other text in instructions.