How to get back my command-space Word shortcut?
March 1, 2017 9:22 PM
On my Macbook, a shortcut I use all the time (command-space bar, then typing "word" to open Microsoft Word) has stopped working. The command-space bar shortcut works; it's the "word" part that isn't working. Instead, it opens Internet accounts from system preferences. All other common programs that I type there (outlook, Excel, keynote, notes, Firefox, chrome) still work. Just "word" has inexplicably failed. HELP!
I've googled but only get information about restoring command-space bar functionality, which is not the problem. I have reset all shortcuts just in case which didn't help. I am running OS X Yosemite 10.10.5 and I don't remember a trigger (update or system crash) that caused this to happen.
I've googled but only get information about restoring command-space bar functionality, which is not the problem. I have reset all shortcuts just in case which didn't help. I am running OS X Yosemite 10.10.5 and I don't remember a trigger (update or system crash) that caused this to happen.
Well, the tool you are using is called (used to be called?) Spotlight. It's just a guess on my part, but it sounds to me like your Spotlight index is messed up. You can try rebuilding it. It will probably take a while.
If I'm wrong: well, knowing it is called Spotlight should probably help you search for an answer. \
posted by BrunoLatourFanclub at 9:28 PM on March 1, 2017
If I'm wrong: well, knowing it is called Spotlight should probably help you search for an answer. \
posted by BrunoLatourFanclub at 9:28 PM on March 1, 2017
Sometimes SpotLight thinks that the first result for "onenote" should open the App Store app and take me to Microsoft OneNote's app page on there instead of launching the app. OTOH if I type "one note.app", the filename of the application I want to launch, it reliably does what I want.
So Cmd+Space then "word.app" should get yo what you need if Spotlight is just being weird and something bigger isn't broken.
All that said, consider getting something like Alfred to be a more reliable assistant than Spotlight.
posted by Space Coyote at 6:11 AM on March 2, 2017
So Cmd+Space then "word.app" should get yo what you need if Spotlight is just being weird and something bigger isn't broken.
All that said, consider getting something like Alfred to be a more reliable assistant than Spotlight.
posted by Space Coyote at 6:11 AM on March 2, 2017
Rebuilding spotlight was my suggestion too.
Another tip: typing in the name of a recent word doc will open it in word, also often the first few words of that doc will work.
posted by SaltySalticid at 6:25 AM on March 2, 2017
Another tip: typing in the name of a recent word doc will open it in word, also often the first few words of that doc will work.
posted by SaltySalticid at 6:25 AM on March 2, 2017
I had totally forgotten that this is the hotkey for Sportlight. I have been using QuickSilver as a launcher - basically the same as Alfred but it's for contrarians. But yes, it sounds like you need to rebuild the index.
posted by bluejayway at 7:10 AM on March 2, 2017
posted by bluejayway at 7:10 AM on March 2, 2017
Or you could just click on Word in the dock. It's much easier than doing a Spotlight search each time.
posted by w0mbat at 8:08 AM on March 2, 2017
posted by w0mbat at 8:08 AM on March 2, 2017
Yup, probably the Spotlight index.
Or you could just click on Word in the dock. It's much easier than doing a Spotlight search each time.
Maybe if you don't touch type?
⌘-Space, W, Return
vs.
Switch to mouse, move cursor to bottom of screen, point at Word icon, click.
posted by zamboni at 8:16 AM on March 2, 2017
Or you could just click on Word in the dock. It's much easier than doing a Spotlight search each time.
Maybe if you don't touch type?
⌘-Space, W, Return
vs.
Switch to mouse, move cursor to bottom of screen, point at Word icon, click.
posted by zamboni at 8:16 AM on March 2, 2017
Spotlight Index was it! And I was able to add Word by itself so it took almost no time at app. Thanks for giving me the correct terminology to google to get this fixed.
posted by peanut_mcgillicuty at 8:33 PM on March 2, 2017
posted by peanut_mcgillicuty at 8:33 PM on March 2, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by dttocs at 9:28 PM on March 1, 2017