Outlook: Essential Shortcut Keys You Need to Know

Outlook Essential Shortcut Keys

Microsoft Outlook, whether the new or old version, is packed with keyboard shortcuts that can boost your efficiency. This guide covers the most useful, rare, and advanced shortcuts for both New Outlook and Classic Outlook users, helping you navigate like a pro!

πŸ”₯ Most Useful Outlook Shortcut Keys (Everyday Time-Savers)

These shortcuts will save you clicks and make email handling effortless:

Action New Outlook (Windows) Classic Outlook (Windows) Mac Shortcut
Create a new email Ctrl + N Ctrl + Shift + M Command + N
Send an email Ctrl + Enter Alt + S Command + Return
Reply to an email Ctrl + R Ctrl + R Command + R
Reply to all Ctrl + Shift + R Ctrl + Shift + R Command + Shift + R
Forward an email Ctrl + F Ctrl + F Command + F
Search emails Ctrl + E or F3 Ctrl + E or F3 Command + Option + F
Mark email as read Ctrl + Q Ctrl + Q Command + T
Mark email as unread Ctrl + U Ctrl + U Command + Shift + T
Open Calendar Ctrl + Shift + 2 Ctrl + 2 Command + 2
Open Contacts Ctrl + Shift + 3 Ctrl + 3 Command + 3
Open Tasks Ctrl + Shift + 4 Ctrl + 4 Command + 4

πŸ’Ž Rarely Used but Handy Outlook Shortcuts

These shortcuts aren’t widely known but can speed up specific tasks:

Action New Outlook Classic Outlook Mac Shortcut
Switch between mail, calendar, contacts, and tasks Ctrl + 1/2/3/4 Ctrl + 1/2/3/4 Command + 1/2/3/4
Open Address Book Ctrl + Shift + B Ctrl + Shift + B Command + Shift + B
Go to the next email Ctrl + . Ctrl + . Command + .
Go to the previous email Ctrl + , Ctrl + , Command + ,
Delete a conversation Ctrl + Shift + D Ctrl + Shift + D Command + Shift + D
Expand/collapse email groups Alt + Shift + K Alt + Shift + K Option + Shift + K

🎯 Advanced and Complex Outlook Shortcuts (For Power Users)

For those who want total control over Outlook, these shortcuts will take your efficiency to the next level:

Action New Outlook Classic Outlook Mac Shortcut
Create a new folder Ctrl + Shift + E Ctrl + Shift + E Command + Shift + N
Open a new search folder Ctrl + Shift + P Ctrl + Shift + P Command + Shift + P
Flag an email for follow-up Ctrl + Shift + G Ctrl + Shift + G Command + Shift + G
Recall a sent email (if available) Ctrl + Shift + H Ctrl + Shift + H N/A
Open Rules & Alerts Ctrl + Shift + L Ctrl + Shift + L Command + Shift + L
Open Advanced Find Ctrl + Shift + F Ctrl + Shift + F Command + Shift + F

πŸš€ Bonus: Productivity-Boosting Outlook Shortcuts

Want to fly through your inbox? Try these quick tricks:

  • Quickly navigate between Outlook sections: Ctrl + Tab (Windows) / Command + Tab (Mac)
  • Check spelling before sending an email: F7
  • Undo an action: Ctrl + Z (Windows) / Command + Z (Mac)
  • Print an email: Ctrl + P (Windows) / Command + P (Mac)

🎯 Final Thoughts

Mastering these Outlook shortcuts can drastically improve your workflow, reduce clicks, and make managing emails a breeze. Start with the most useful ones, then gradually integrate the rare and advanced shortcuts into your routine.

πŸ“Œ Pro Tip: Save this guide for future reference and share it with your colleagues to boost their productivity too! πŸš€