Alt + O Mac Excel Shortcut: Legacy Format Menu (2026 Guide)

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Quick Answer

To do Alt + O on Mac in Excel, install Accelerator Keys, then press Option, then O. It opens the Excel 2003 Format menu. Then press the next letter, such as E for Format Cells.

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

What Does Alt + O Do?

Alt + O is the legacy shortcut for the Format menu. From there you format cells, set row height and column width, hide and unhide rows, columns, and sheets, and add conditional formatting and styles.

How It Works on Mac

Excel for Mac keeps the Format menu in the macOS menu bar. Accelerator Keys opens Format and shows the Windows letter on each item. Then you press the next letter, the same as on Windows. It works on any ribbon tab and at any window width.

Supported Alt + O Sequences

Shortcut Command Modern Equivalent
Alt + O + E Format Cells Alt + H + O + E
Alt + O + R Row Menu —
Alt + O + C Column Menu —
Alt + O + H Sheet Menu —
Alt + O + D Conditional Formatting Alt + H + L
Alt + O + S Cell Style Alt + H + J

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

  1. Install the Fix: Download Accelerator Keys (14-day free trial, no credit card required).
  2. Select the cells: Select the cells, rows, or columns you want to format.
  3. Press Option: Press the Option key. It works like Alt on Windows.
  4. Press the letter: Press O.
  5. Result: The Format menu opens. Each item shows its Windows letter.

Then press the next letter from the table above. Press Esc to close the menu.

Frequently asked questions

Does Alt + O 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 O.

What keys come after Alt + O?

Press E (Format Cells), R (Row Menu), C (Column Menu), H (Sheet Menu), D (Conditional Formatting), S (Cell Style).

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