Microsoft 365 · Windows

Outlook keyboard shortcuts

Email is where many working days quietly disappear. These shortcuts for the new Outlook for Windows help you triage your inbox, reply, file and schedule without reaching for the mouse.

50 shortcuts 20 essentials Updated October 2026
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Below are 50 Outlook shortcuts for messages, reading, calendar and contacts, grouped by task.

Ctrl+N

Create a new message or calendar event

Ctrl+Enter

Send an email message

Ctrl+R

Reply to the selected email

Ctrl+F

Forward the selected email

Delete

Delete the selected message or item

Esc

Close a new message or cancel a search

Ctrl+1

Go to Mail

Page Down

Move down one page in the reading pane

Compose

ShortcutWhat it doesLevelLink
Ctrl+NCreate a new message or calendar eventEssential
Ctrl+EnterSend an email messageEssential
Ctrl+SSave the item being composedEssential
Ctrl+Shift+ACreate a new appointment (classic Outlook)Time-saver
Ctrl+Shift+CCreate a new contact (classic Outlook)Time-saver
Ctrl+Shift+KCreate a new task (classic Outlook)Time-saver
Ctrl+Shift+NCreate a new note (classic Outlook)Power user
Alt+SSend the message being composed (classic Outlook)Time-saver

Mail

ShortcutWhat it doesLevelLink
Ctrl+RReply to the selected emailEssential
Ctrl+Shift+RReply all to the selected emailTime-saver
Ctrl+FForward the selected emailEssential
Shift+EnterOpen the selected message in a new windowTime-saver
DeleteDelete the selected message or itemEssential
Shift+DeletePermanently delete the selected message or itemPower user
Ctrl+QMark the selected conversation as readTime-saver
Ctrl+UMark the selected conversation as unreadTime-saver
InsertFlag a message or mark a flagged message completeTime-saver
Ctrl+Alt+JMark the selected message as not junk (classic Outlook)Power user

Basics

ShortcutWhat it doesLevelLink
Ctrl+PPrint the selected itemEssential
?Open the keyboard shortcuts list (new Outlook)Time-saver
Ctrl+Shift+ECreate a new folder (classic Outlook)Power user

Navigate

ShortcutWhat it doesLevelLink
Ctrl+2Go to CalendarTime-saver
Ctrl+1Go to MailEssential
Ctrl+4Go to PeopleTime-saver
Ctrl+YGo to the Folder pane (new Outlook; Go to Folder in classic)Time-saver
Left arrowCollapse the selected folder sectionTime-saver
Right arrowExpand the selected folder sectionTime-saver
Ctrl+>Go to the next message (new Outlook)Time-saver
Ctrl+<Go to the previous message (new Outlook)Time-saver
Alt+Shift+YGo to today in Calendar (new Outlook)Time-saver
Ctrl+Shift+IGo to the Inbox (classic Outlook)Time-saver
Ctrl+Shift+OGo to the Outbox (classic Outlook)Time-saver
TabMove to the next element in the current viewEssential
Ctrl+.Switch to the next open message (classic Outlook)Time-saver
Alt+Left arroworAlt+BReturn to the previous view (classic Outlook)Time-saver

Read

ShortcutWhat it doesLevelLink
Page DownMove down one page in the reading paneEssential
Page UpMove up one page in the reading paneEssential
SpacebarPage down in the reading pane (classic Outlook)Time-saver

Format

ShortcutWhat it doesLevelLink
Ctrl+BApply bold formatting while composingEssential
Ctrl+IApply italic formatting while composingEssential

Edit

ShortcutWhat it doesLevelLink
Ctrl+ZUndo the last actionEssential
Ctrl+CCopy the selected itemEssential
Ctrl+VPaste the copied itemEssential
Ctrl+XCut the selected itemEssential

Select

ShortcutWhat it doesLevelLink
Ctrl+ASelect all items in the current viewEssential

Find

ShortcutWhat it doesLevelLink
Ctrl+ESearch the current mailboxEssential
Ctrl+Shift+FOpen Advanced Find (classic Outlook)Power user
F3Move focus to the search box (classic Outlook)Time-saver

Pro tip: Ctrl+Enter sends the message you're writing. Once it's muscle memory, replying to a quick email becomes a few seconds of work.

Outlook how-to guides

Step-by-step answers to common Outlook questions.

Ctrl+EnterHow to send an email with the keyboard in Outlook Ctrl+Shift+RHow to reply all in Outlook InsertHow to flag an email in Outlook Ctrl+UHow to mark an email as unread in Outlook Ctrl+2How to switch between Mail and Calendar in Outlook

Frequently asked questions

What are the most useful Outlook shortcuts?

Start with these essentials: Ctrl+N (create a new message or calendar event); Ctrl+Enter (send an email message); Ctrl+R (reply to the selected email); Ctrl+F (forward the selected email); Delete (delete the selected message or item).

Do these shortcuts work in classic Outlook?

Most do, but some differ between classic Outlook and the new Outlook for Windows. This list is based on the new Outlook, which is the version Microsoft is rolling out to all Microsoft 365 users.

How do I quickly switch between Mail and Calendar in Outlook?

Use Ctrl+1 for Mail and Ctrl+2 for Calendar. Ctrl+3 opens People (contacts).

Do these Outlook shortcuts work on a Mac?

This list shows Windows shortcuts. On a Mac, Ctrl is usually replaced by Cmd and Alt by Option, though some shortcuts differ. On our homepage you can switch the keyboard layout to Mac to see the Mac versions.

Can I print this Outlook cheat sheet?

Yes. Use the Print cheat sheet button at the top of this page to print a compact version, or save it as a PDF. It's free to share with your team.

Make them stick

Reading a list is a start. Practising is what builds muscle memory. Try the free practice mode, earn XP and track your streak.

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