Create Custom Ctrl-Key Command in Word 2003?

Any old-timers here?

My laptop is dying so I've had to revert to using my old PC which has Word 2003 installed on it.

I'm an old guy who still relies on some ancient WordStar keyboard commands, one of which is Ctrl+N which produces <Home><Enter>+<Up Arrow>. The effect of which is to enter a new line at the cursor position. Ages ago I had somehow managed to add that keyboard shortcut to Word, but now I can't recall how I did it (I'm nearly 80 and fear that I'm starting to show troubling signs of the onset of dementia).

Do I have to first create a macro, and then in a separate operation, assign that macro to the Ctrl+N keyboard shortcut? (I've never gotten into the habit of using Ctrl+N to open a new file, so I'll not miss having that standard Word keyboard shortcut).

Windows 10 22H2

Not sure about 2003 - and whether it will do what you want, but check out Tools > customise, and there should be a keyboard option

No, Word has no equivalent to that WordStar command [not even in Tools, Customise].

You can record then use a macro to do what you want.
I've got my Ctrl-N redirected to change style [Word 2007] and it is reliable so you should not have any problem assigning Ctrl-N to your macro.

I don't understand why you want to insert a new line then move your cursor to it so much that you need this refinement but it's up to you.


Denis

Hi Denis! Good to see you again!

Thanks for confirming my guess that I need to first create a macro and then assign it to Ctrl-N.

I'll give that a try and report back here on the result.

UPDATE: I just went to Tools>Macro>Record New Macro>Assign Macro to Keyboard and BINGO! I've now got my old friend Ctrl-N back in the game.

As for why I want to insert a new line and then move the cursor up to it: I guess it's just that old habits die hard. I started using WordStar in the mid 80s and ever since then, no matter which word processor or text editor I tried out, I would always try to get as many of the WordStar keyboard commands working in the new program as was possible. Years ago I even cajoled the programmer of an MS-DOS text editor, I think it was called TSE, into writing into the program an option for using the WordStar commands. So Ctrl-N is just wired into my subconscious, almost as if it's imprinted into my DNA. I type it automatically without even thinking about it.

I'm glad you have resolved the problem.

I also used WordStar in the mid-80s. And DataStar. And DataFlex / DataPlex / ???
Now I use Office 2007 and I hope I never have to change.


All the best,
Denis