Microsoft appears to be mulling a dedicated Office key for keyboards

What you need to know

• Microsoft may be mulling adding support for a dedicated Office key on keyboards.
• The key would operate much like the Windows key does today, offering shortcuts and key combinations for Office apps.
• The concept was spotted in a survey form asking users for feedback related to the Office key.

Keyboards have had a dedicated Windows key for decades, and now it looks like Microsoft is at least considering adding one for Office. In a feedback form spotted by prolific Microsoft leaker WalkingCat, Microsoft is soliciting responses from users who have experimented with keyboards that have an Office key. The form even includes a concept image of what the key may look like if it ever sees the light of day outside of Microsoft.

It's likely this is part of an internal test at Microsoft, and the form gives us only a little bit of insight into the key's functions. The first question asks if users have tried a keyboard with an Office key with the Windows 10 May 2019 Update before moving on to ask if they have tried each shortcut available (Office key + O, T, W, X, P, D, N, Y, and L). We have no clue as to what each shortcut does, but the form asks for input on what additional shortcuts should be considered, such as an "Office key + S" shortcut that would share a document.

Finally, the form finishes things off by asking whether users would like to see a dedicated Office key make its way to laptops as well.

That's not much to go off of at the moment, but it's an interesting idea. Office is one of the most widely used software suites out there, so it wouldn't be a complete surprise to see it get its own key and shortcuts. However, it would require keyboards and laptop makers to dedicate more space to yet another key.

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