Alt + I B Mac Excel Shortcut: Legacy Page Break (2026 Guide)

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Quick Answer

To do Alt + I B on Mac in Excel, install Accelerator Keys, then press Option, then I, then B. It runs the Excel 2003 command Insert > Page Break. The modern ribbon shortcut is Alt + P + B + I.

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If you are looking for the Alt + I B shortcut on Mac Excel, you may know it from Excel 2003, where Alt + I opened the Insert menu. Windows Excel still accepts these menu keys. With Accelerator Keys, they work on your Mac too.

What Does Alt + I B Do?

Alt + I + B is the legacy shortcut for Insert > Page Break. It adds a manual page break. If you select a row, the break goes above that row. If you select a column, the break goes to the left of that column. If you select one cell, Excel adds breaks above it and to its left.

Legacy vs. Modern Shortcut Comparison

Shortcut Era Menu Path
Alt + I + B Legacy (Excel 2003) Insert > Page Break
Alt + P + B + I Modern (Ribbon) Page Layout > Breaks > Insert Page Break

Both shortcuts work with Accelerator Keys.

How It Works on Mac

On your Mac, Accelerator Keys runs Insert > Page Break in the Excel menu bar. It works on any ribbon tab and at any window width.

Step-by-Step: How to do Alt + I B on Mac Excel

  1. Install the Fix: Download Accelerator Keys (14-day free trial, no credit card required).
  2. Select the row or column: Select the row or column where the new page starts.
  3. Press Option: Press the Option key. It works like Alt on Windows.
  4. Press the letters one at a time: Press I, then B.
  5. Result: Excel adds the page break. You see it as a line on the sheet and in Page Break Preview.

Frequently asked questions

Does Alt + I B work natively on Mac Excel?

No. Excel for Mac’s own KeyTips do not support the legacy Alt + E, Alt + I, Alt + O, and Alt + D menu keys. Accelerator Keys adds them. Press Option, then I, then B.

What is the modern equivalent of Alt + I B?

The modern ribbon shortcut is Alt + P + B + I (Page Layout > Breaks > Insert Page Break). Both work on Mac with Accelerator Keys.

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