Windows Excel shortcuts on a Mac: the options compared
Updated by Leonard Peez
Short answer: there are three ways to keep your Windows Alt shortcuts (AltHOI, AltHVV …) on a Mac. RibbonBridge is a one-time purchase, Accelerator Keys is a yearly subscription, and Parallels runs all of Windows on your Mac. Here is how they compare.
Side by side
| RibbonBridge | Accelerator Keys Essential | Accelerator Keys Pro | Parallels Desktop + Windows | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Mac app that adds the Windows letters to Excel for Mac's own KeyTips | Mac app with Windows-style Alt shortcuts | Same, plus PowerPoint | Runs full Windows and Windows Office inside your Mac |
| Price | €15 one-time | $39.96 per year | $60 per year | About $100 per year, plus a Windows licence |
| Cost over 3 years | €15 | About $120 | About $180 | About $300, plus Windows |
| Subscription | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | 7 days | 14 days | 14 days | 14 days |
| Excel | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (Windows version) |
| PowerPoint | Coming November 2026 | No | Yes | Yes (Windows version) |
| Word | Coming November 2026 | No | Announced for Q3 2026 | Yes (Windows version) |
| Windows shortcut languages | English (Alt H) and German (Alt R) | English only | English only | All, as on Windows |
| Macs per licence | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Runs natively on the Mac | Yes | Yes | Yes | No, a virtual machine (more memory and battery) |
Prices and features as published by each vendor on 26 October 2026. Parallels price is approximate and depends on the edition; a Windows licence is sold separately. Check the vendors' websites for current details. Accelerator Keys and Parallels are trademarks of their owners; RibbonBridge is not affiliated with them.
Which one fits you?
RibbonBridge
For people who mainly live in Excel and want the Windows Alt sequences without a subscription. It works through Excel's own menus, so ⌘Z undoes everything as usual, and it supports both the English and the German Windows shortcuts. It also works in PowerPoint and Word for Mac, included in the same licence.
Accelerator Keys
An established option with a longer free trial and PowerPoint support today in its Pro plan. It is a yearly subscription and supports the English Windows shortcuts only.
Parallels Desktop with Windows
The full Windows experience: every shortcut, every add-in, every Office app, exactly as at work. The trade-off is cost, a separate Windows licence, and running a second operating system on your Mac.
Try RibbonBridge free for 7 days. Just your email, no payment details. Then €15 once, no subscription.
Start 7-day free trial All Alt shortcuts on Mac