Outlook Shortcuts - Time Savers

October 15, 2008 · Filed Under Time Management

Entrepreneurs today seem to always be seeking new devices and the latest softwares to quickly accomplish more. We seek the trendy self-help books that are to lead us out of chaos and show us how to save time, manage effort and get more out of our day.

Start by looking at what you already have in place. An easy way to reduce time wasted is utilizing Outlook shortcuts. While it seems taxing in the beginning, once implemented, shortcuts become a thoughtless habit.

Outlook New Item Creation

New Appointment	CTRL+SHIFT+A
New Contact	CTRL+SHIFT+C
New Distribution List	CTRL+SHIFT+L
New Fax	CTRL+SHIFT+X
New Folder	CTRL+SHIFT+E
New Journal entry	CTRL+SHIFT+J
New Meeting request	CTRL+SHIFT+Q
New E-Mail Message	CTRL+SHIFT+M
New Note	CTRL+SHIFT+N
New Office document.	CTRL+SHIFT+H
Post Note to Folder	CTRL+SHIFT+S
Create a Search Folder	CTRL+SHIFT+P
New Task	CTRL+SHIFT+K
Create a Task request	CTRL+SHIFT+U

Outlook Navagation

Switch to Mail/Outlook Today	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-Navigation Pane	CTRL+6
Switch to Shortcuts	CTRL+7
Select All Items - Current Folder	CTRL+A
Copy Item to Another Folder	CTRL+SHIFT+Y
Move Item to Another Folder	CTRL+SHIFT+V
Forward Item	CTRL+F
Delete	CTRL+D or DELETE
Undo	CTRL+Z or ALT+BACKSPACE

Print, Save, Create

Create New Item in Folder	CTRL+N
Open Item	ENTER or CTRL+O
Save	CTRL+S or SHIFT+F12
Save As	F12
Save and Close (except Notes); or Send a Message	ALT+S
Close Item	ALT+F4
Check Spelling	F7
Print	CTRL+P

Select All Items - Current Folder	CTRL+A
Copy Item to Another Folder	CTRL+SHIFT+Y
Move Item to Another Folder	CTRL+SHIFT+V
Forward Item	CTRL+F
Delete	CTRL+D or DELETE
Undo	CTRL+Z or ALT+BACKSPACE

Seek and Find

Find Items	F3 or CTRL+E
Search for Text	F4
Advanced Find	CTRL+SHIFT+F
Create a New Search Folder	CTRL+SHIFT+P

The Point

It’s time to cut out time wasters and utilize what you already have. Print out the list and tape it on the side of your screen. Pick the feature in Outlook you use the most and then commit to putting that shortcut to work for you. As that shortcut becomes a habit, add a new one. See the results of time saved as the shortcuts become habit. Over time, you won’t have to think about it, you will just do it!