Fast access to important Outlook features! The ribbon in Outlook isn’t the only way to efficiently things done. Use the keyboard shortcuts that have been available in Outlook (Windows or Mac) for Microsoft 365 or Office 2024 and many earlier versions.
Outlook for Windows
Here are some keyboard shortcuts that are worth using with any version of Outlook for Windows classic or new.
Ctrl + N Creates a new item based on the folder you are in. If you’re at Inbox it will make a new message. In Calendar it’ll make a new appointment.
Ctrl + R Reply to the current message
Ctrl + Shift + R Reply to All for the current message
Ctrl + F Forward the message
Ctrl + Shift + M will start a new message regardless of the folder you are in.
Ctrl + Shift + A will start a new appointment regardless of the folder you are in.
Outlook for Mac
Almost all the above shortcuts work in Outlook for Mac too, instead of Ctrl press Cmd. E.g Cmd + N, Cmd + R etc.
BUT the last two shortcuts (the Ctrl + Shift + M or A) do not work in Mac Outlook.
Jump to Folder
Ctrl + 1 jump to Inbox
Ctrl + 2 jump to Calendar
Ctrl + 3 jump to People / Contacts
Ctrl + 4 jump to To Do / Tasks
Or Cmd + ... on a Mac.
See Quick View shortcuts for Outlook
Press Alt to explore the ribbon aka Keytips
Keytips is Microsoft’s name for the little labels that appear when you press the Alt key. They are reminders of the keyboard shortcuts available for each item on the ribbon. Here are the keytips for the Outlook Home tab (after pressing Alt then H)
Find out more at KeyTips are your way to faster Microsoft Office
