Customize the keyboard so you can pull up different features already available from menus or toolbars:

1.  Press Ctrl + Alt and the plus key on the numeric keypad. Word changes the mouse pointer into a dark cloverleaf.

2.  Click on any tool or menu item. Word opens the Customize Keyboard dialog box containing the information relating to the tool or menu item on which you clicked.

3.  Click in the Press New Shortcut box and press the key combination for your new shortcut.

4.  Before you assign your shortcut, check to see if there is a description of a pre-assigned shortcut below the Shortcut Keys box so you don't wipe out a much needed shortcut.

5.  Check the Save Changes In box to make certain your shortcut is being saved in the required template or document.  Keyboard shortcuts are automatically saved in the normal.dot.

6.  If all okay, click the Assign button and close the dialog box.

Want to reassign a built-in keyboard shortcut from
3 keys to 2 keys -- or change a shortcut you created?

Press Ctrl + Alt and the plus key on the numeric keypad. When the mouse pointer changes into a dark cloverleaf, immediately press your shortcut key combination and the Customize Keyboard dialog box will open to the relative information.  Follow the above instructions for entering your new shortcut. 

If newly assigned shortcuts conflict with older assignments, click on the shortcut in the Current Keys box in the Customize/Keyboard dialog box, then click the Remove button and close the dialog box.