What are the most useful Outlook shortcuts?

Working with mail clients is part of everyday life for many people. When it comes to sending messages quickly and easily, Outlook offers keyboard shortcuts that allow you to work even more efficiently. We introduce you to the most important and helpful Outlook shortcuts.

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The most used Outlook keyboard shortcuts

Like with all other Microsoft Office products, Outlook gives you the option to use shortcut keys to simplify working with the software. The table below highlights some of the most common shortcuts.

Action Outlook shortcut keys
Copy content Ctrl
Cut content Ctrl + X
Paste content Ctrl + V
Print email Ctrl + P
Select all Ctrl + A
Edit marked section Shift + Arrow keys (left or right)
Undo action Ctrl + Z
Repeat action Ctrl + Y
Save email Ctrl + S
Save as F12 function key
Close window Alt + F4
Switch between open windows Alt + Esc
Show properties of marked object Alt + Enter
Show preview Alt + P
Switch between Outlook windows Tab

Outlook hotkeys for better email management

For most users, Outlook hotkeys specifically made to simplify email organization will come in handy.

Action Outlook shortcut keys
Switch to inbox Ctrl + Shift + i
Switch to outbox Ctrl + Shift + O
Create new email Ctrl + N
Send email Ctrl + Enter key
Respond to email Ctrl + R
Respond to all in email Ctrl + Shift + R
Respond with a meeting request Ctrl + Alt + R
Forward email Ctrl + F
Forward email as attachment Ctrl + Alt + F
Mark email as read Ctrl + Q
Mark email as unread Ctrl + U
Open marked email Ctrl + O
Delete and ignore email Ctrl + Shift + D
Open address book Ctrl + Shift + B
Open next unopened email Ctrl + Period
Go back to previously opened email Ctrl + Comma
Switch to next email in list Arrow up
Switch to previous email in list Arrow down
Unmark email as junk Ctrl + Alt + J
Open the flagged emails dialog box Ctrl + Shift + G
Tip

Did you send an email too early by accident? Read our article on how to recall an Outlook email.

The most important Outlook shortcuts for the integrated calendar

In the calendar view, you can organize and view your appointments even faster using the matching Outlook hotkeys.

Action Outlook shortcut keys
Create new calendar entry (only works in calendar view) Ctrl + N
Go to a date Ctrl + G
Jump to next appointment Tab
Jump to previous appointment Tab + Shift
Accept appointment Alt + C
Decline appointment Alt + D
Show day view Alt + H
Show weekly view Alt + W
Show monthly view Alt + M
Switch to first day of current week Alt + Home
Switch to last day of current week Alt + End
Show same day in previous week Alt + Arrow up
Show same day in coming week Alt + Arrow down
Show first day of the month Alt + PgUp
Show last day of the month Alt + PgDn
Show next day Ctrl + Arrow to the right
Show previous day Ctrl + Arrow to the left
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How to add elements and files in Outlook via shortcut keys

The following Outlook shortcuts let you add elements or files like appointments, contacts, or notes, without having to open the corresponding tab or press the corresponding button.

Action Outlook shortcut keys
Create new contact Ctrl + Shift + C
Create new group of contacts Ctrl + Shift + L
Create fax Ctrl + Shift + X
Create new folder Ctrl + Shift + E
Create new email Ctrl + Shift + M
Create new note Ctrl + Shift + N
Create new Office document Ctrl + Shift + H
Create search folder Ctrl + Shift + P
Create new task Ctrl + Shift + K

Outlook shortcuts for organizing your contacts

As with the calendar and emails, there are special Outlook keyboard shortcuts for the contact view, which make it easier for you to manage datasets.

Action Outlook shortcut keys
Create new contact Ctrl + N
New phone call Ctrl + Shift + D
Search for a contact or another element F3 or Ctrl + E
Activate contact search F11
Show first contact in address book Home
Show last contact in address book End
Show first contact starting with a specific letter Shift + letter
Show next contact Arrow down
Show previous contact Arrow up
Send email to a specific contact Ctrl + F
Close contact Esc
Tip

It is possible to set up an out-of-office message in Outlook to make working with Outlook easier.

Additional useful Outlook shortcuts

Whether for the calendar, contacts, notes, or emails – the following Outlook hotkeys let you seamlessly switch between the various sections of the email client.

Action Outlook shortcut keys
Switch to email view Ctrl + 1
Switch to calendar Ctrl + 2
Switch to contacts Ctrl + 3
Switch to tasks Ctrl + 4
Switch to notes Ctrl + 5
Switch to folder list Ctrl + 6
Switch to attachments Ctrl + 7
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