char []sepc = new char[]{'+'}; string str = "Alt+A"; string[] shortCutKeys = str.Split(sepc); Keys keys = Keys.None, key = Keys.None; foreach (string shortCutKey in shortCutKeys) { key = (Keys)Enum.Parse(typeof(Keys), shortCutKey); if (keys != Keys.None) keys = keys | key; else keys = key; } menuItem.ShortcutKeys = keys;