Outlook Shortcuts

Outlook keyboard shortcuts.

Move through Outlook faster — compose, reply, flag, and jump between mail and calendar by keyboard.

Mail essentials
New email+NCtrl+NCtrl+N
Send+ReturnCtrl+EnterCtrl+Enter
Reply+RCtrl+RCtrl+R
Reply all++RCtrl++RCtrl++R
Forward+JCtrl+FCtrl+F
DeleteDelDel
Archive++ABackspaceBackspace
Mark read / unread+TCtrl+Q / UCtrl+Q / U
Navigation
Go to Mail+1Ctrl+1Ctrl+1
Go to Calendar+2Ctrl+2Ctrl+2
Go to People+3Ctrl+3Ctrl+3
Search++FCtrl+ECtrl+E
Next / previous message+[ / ]Ctrl+, / .Ctrl+, / .
Organize
Flag for follow-up++TInsertInsert
Move to folder++MCtrl++VCtrl++V
Categorize++CCtrl++CCtrl++C
Create rule++RCtrl++RCtrl++R
New meeting++NCtrl++QCtrl++Q
A few Outlook shortcuts differ between the Windows desktop app, Outlook for Mac, and Outlook on the web, and by version.

Compose, send, and move

The Outlook habits that save the most time are the simplest: ⌘/Ctrl + N starts a new email, ⌘ + Return / Ctrl + Enter sends it, and ⌘/Ctrl + R replies. Because email is something you do dozens of times a day, getting compose and send into muscle memory removes a surprising amount of friction over a week — no more reaching for the mouse to start or finish a message.

Move between Mail, Calendar and more

Outlook is really several apps in one window, and the numbered shortcuts switch between them instantly: ⌘/Ctrl + 1 for Mail, 2 for Calendar, 3 for People. Learning those three numbers alone removes most of the clicking around the navigation bar. Within mail, flagging for follow-up and moving messages to folders are the actions that keep an inbox under control as it fills.

Triage like a pro

For clearing a backlog, the rhythm is to move through messages and deal with each once: read, then reply, file, or flag. Marking as read/unread and the move-to-folder shortcut let you process a full inbox without dragging anything. Note that Outlook's exact keys differ a little between the classic Windows desktop app, the Mac app, and the web version, so check the ones that matter to you. Pair these with the Microsoft Teams shortcuts for the rest of Microsoft 365.

FAQ

What's the shortcut to send an email in Outlook?
Press ⌘ + Return on Mac or Ctrl + Enter on Windows to send the message you're composing.
How do I switch to the calendar in Outlook?
Press ⌘ + 2 on Mac or Ctrl + 2 on Windows to jump to Calendar; ⌘/Ctrl + 1 returns you to Mail.

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