Keyboard shortcuts for Microsoft Outlook 2013 and 2016

This reference article provides a comprehensive list of all keyboard shortcuts for Microsoft Outlook 2013 and 2016 (desktop version). Shortcuts are grouped by functionality; for example, youll find shortcuts for moving around in Outlook under Navigation. As you might guess, youll find some shortcuts listed more than once.

To find links to keyboard shortcuts for other Microsoft products, go to Office Accessibility Center.

Note: 

         Keys that should be pressed at the same time are joined with a plus sign (+). Keys that you should press in sequence are joined by a comma (,). Thus, the keyboard shortcut Alt+H, M+R means press Alt and H together to open the Home tab on the ribbon, and then press letters M and R together to open a new Meeting Request.

Frequently used shortcuts
The following shortcuts are the most frequently used in Outlook 2013 and 2016.

To do this
 Press
 
Close
 Alt+F, then X
 
Go to Home tab
 Alt+H
 
New mail message
 Ctrl+N
 
Send
 Alt+S
 
Insert file in a message
 Alt+H, then AF
 
Zoom
 Ctrl+Plus(+), Ctrl+Minus(-)
 
Delete selected item
 Ctrl+D
 
Go to Search box
 F3 or Ctrl+E
 
Reply
 Ctrl+R
 
Forward
 Ctrl+F
 
Reply All
 Ctrl+Shift+R
 
Start Send/Receive for folders and groups
 F9
 
Go to Calendar
 Ctrl+2
 
Create appointment
 Alt+H, then N1
 
Move to folder
 Alt+H, then MV. Use Down Arrow to select folder.
 
Attachment Save As
 From the message that contains the attachment, press Alt+JA, then AA.
 

 

Work in Outlook
Move around in Inbox and between Outlook views
To do this 
 Press 
 
Go to the Search box.
 F3 or Ctrl+E
 
In the Reading Pane, go to the previous message.
 Alt+Up Arrow, or

Ctrl+Comma, or

Alt+Page Up
 
In the Reading Pane, page down through text.
 Spacebar
 
In the Reading Pane, page up through text.
 Shift+Spacebar
 
Move between regions in Outlook, such as the Folder Pane, the main Outlook window, the Reading Pane, and the To-Do Bar.
 Ctrl+Shift+Tab, or

Shift+Tab
 
Move between regions in Outlook, such as the Outlook window, the smaller panes in the Folder Pane, the Reading Pane, and the sections in the To-Do Bar.
 Tab
 
Move between regions in Outlook, such as the Outlook window, the smaller panes in the Folder Pane, the Reading Pane, and the sections in the To-Do Bar, and show the access keys in the Outlook ribbon.
 F6
 
Move around message header lines in the Folder Pane or an open message.
 Ctrl+Tab
 
Move around within the Folder Pane.
 Arrow keys
 
Go to a different folder.
 Ctrl+Y
 
Collapse or expand a group in the email message list.
 Left Arrow or Right Arrow, respectively
 

Switch to a different Outlook view (Mail, Calendar, Contacts, and so on)
To do this
 Press
 
Switch to Mail.
 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 in Folder Pane.
 Ctrl+6
 
Switch to Shortcuts.
 Ctrl+7
 
Switch to next message (with message open).
 Ctrl+Period
 
Switch to previous message (with message open).
 Ctrl+Comma
 
Go back to previous view in main Outlook window.
 Alt+B or Alt+Left Arrow
 
Go forward to next view in main Outlook window.
 Alt+Right Arrow
 
Select the InfoBar and, if available, show the menu of commands.
 Ctrl+Shift+W
 

Search in any Outlook view (Mail, Calendar, etc)
To do this 
 Press 
 
Go to Search box.
 F3 or Ctrl+E
 
Clear the search results.
 Esc
 
Expand the search to include All Mail Items, All Calendar Items, or All Contact Items, depending on the module you are in.
 Ctrl+Alt+A
 
Use Advanced Find.
 Ctrl+Shift+F
 
Create a Search Folder.
 Ctrl+Shift+P
 
Search for text within an open item.
 F4
 
Find and replace text and symbols in the Reading Pane.
 Ctrl+H
 
Expand search to include items from the current folder.
 Ctrl+Alt+K
 
Expand search to include subfolders.
 Ctrl+Alt+Z
 

Format text
To do this 
 Press 
 
Cut.
 Ctrl+X or Shift+Delete
 
Copy.
 Ctrl+C or Ctrl+Insert
 
Paste.
 Ctrl+V or Shift+Insert
 
Undo.
 Ctrl+Z or Alt+Backspace
 
Bold.
 Ctrl+B
 
Italic.
 Ctrl+I
 
Underline
 Ctrl+U
 
Add bullets.
 Ctrl+Shift+L
 
Display the Format menu.
 Alt+O
 
Display the Font dialog box.
 Ctrl+Shift+P
 
Switch case (with text selected).
 Shift+F3
 
Format letters as small capitals.
 Ctrl+Shift+K
 
Increase indent.
 Ctrl+T
 
Decrease indent.
 Ctrl+Shift+T
 
Left align text.
 Ctrl+L
 
Center text.
 Ctrl+E
 
Right align text.
 Ctrl+R
 
Stretch a paragraph to fit between the margins.
 Ctrl+Shift+J 
 
Increase font size.
 Ctrl+] or Ctrl+Shift+>
 
Decrease font size.
 Ctrl+[ or Ctrl+Shift+<
 
Clear formatting.
 Ctrl+Shift+Z or Ctrl+Spacebar
 
Delete the next word.
 Ctrl+Shift+H
 
Apply paragraph or heading styles.
 Ctrl+Shift+S
 
Create a hanging indent.
 Ctrl+T
 
Insert a hyperlink.
 Ctrl+K
 
Reduce a hanging indent.
 Ctrl+Shift+T
 
Remove paragraph formatting.
 Ctrl+Q
 

Print 
To do this 
 Press 
 
Open Print tab in Backstage view.
 Press Alt+F, and then press P
 
To print an item from an open window.
 Alt+F, press P, and then press F and press 1
 
Open Page Setup from Print Preview.
 Alt+S or Alt+U
 
To select a printer from Print Preview.
 Alt+F, press P, and then press I
 
To Define Print Styles.
 Alt+F, press P, and then press L
 
To open Print Options.
 Alt+F, press P, and then press R
 

Add or edit links
To do this 
 Press 
 
Edit a URL in the body of an item.
 Hold down Ctrl and click the mouse button.
 
Insert a hyperlink.
 Ctrl+K
 

Create an item or file
To do this 
 Press 
 
Create an appointment.
 Ctrl+Shift+A
 
Create a contact.
 Ctrl+Shift+C
 
Create a contact group.
 Ctrl+Shift+L
 
Create a fax.
 Ctrl+Shift+X
 
Create a folder.
 Ctrl+Shift+E
 
Create a meeting request.
 Ctrl+Shift+Q
 
Create a message.
 Ctrl+Shift+M
 
Create a note.
 Ctrl+Shift+N
 
Create a Microsoft Office document.
 Ctrl+Shift+H
 
Post to this folder.
 Ctrl+Shift+S
 
Post a reply in this folder.
 Ctrl+T
 
Create a Search Folder.
 Ctrl+Shift+P
 
Create a task.
 Ctrl+Shift+K
 
Create a task request.
 Ctrl+Shift+U
 

Mail
Frequently used mail shortcuts
To do this 
 Press 
 
Switch to Mail.
 Ctrl+1
 
Send.
 Alt+S or Ctrl+Enter
 
Reply to a message.
 Ctrl+R
 
Reply all to a message.
 Ctrl+Shift+R
 
Forward a message.
 Ctrl+F
 
Create a message (when in Mail).
 Ctrl+N
 
Create a message (from any Outlook view).
 Ctrl+Shift+M
 
Open a received message.
 Ctrl+O
 
Mark as read.
 Ctrl+Q
 
Mark as unread.
 Ctrl+U
 
Go to the previous message.
 Up Arrow
 
Go to the next message.
 Down Arrow
 

Other mail shortcuts
To do this
 Press
 
Add a Quick Flag to an unopened message.
 Insert
 
Apply Normal style.
 Ctrl+Shift+N
 
Check for new messages.
 Ctrl+M or F9
 
Check names.
 Ctrl+K
 
Choose the account from which to send a message.
 Ctrl+Tab (with focus on the To box), and then Tab to the Accounts button
 
Clear Mark for Download.
 Ctrl+Alt+U
 
Create a multimedia message
 Ctrl+Shift+U
 
Delete and Ignore a Conversation.
 Ctrl+Shift+D
 
Display blocked external content (in a message).
 Ctrl+Shift+I
 
Display Send/Receive progress.
 Ctrl+B (when a Send/Receive is in progress)
 
Display the Flag for Follow Up dialog box.
 Ctrl+Shift+G
 
Find next.
 Shift+F4
 
Find or replace.
 F4
 
Forward as attachment.
 Ctrl+Alt+F
 
Mark a message as not junk.
 Ctrl+ Alt+J
 
Mark for Download.
 Ctrl+Alt+M
 
Open the Address Book.
 Ctrl+Shift+B
 
Open the Mail Tip in the selected message.
 Ctrl+Shift+W
 
Post to a folder.
 Ctrl+ Shift+S
 
Print.
 Ctrl+P
 
Reply with meeting request.
 Ctrl+Alt+R
 
Show the properties for the selected item.
 Alt+Enter
 

Calendar
Frequently used calendar shortcuts
To do this 
 Press 
 
Switch to Calendar
 Ctrl+2
 
Create an appointment (when in Calendar).
 Ctrl+N
 
Create an appointment (in any Outlook view).
 Ctrl+Shift+A
 
Create a meeting request.
 Ctrl+Shift+Q
 
Forward an appointment or meeting.
 Ctrl+F
 
Reply to a meeting request with a message.
 Ctrl+R
 
Reply All to a meeting request with a message.
 Ctrl+Shift+R
 
Go to a date.
 Ctrl+G
 

Other calendar shortcuts
To do this
 Press
 
Show 1 day in the calendar.
 Alt+1
 
Show 2 days in the calendar.
 Alt+2
 
Show 3 days in the calendar.
 Alt+3
 
Show 4 days in the calendar.
 Alt+4
 
Show 5 days in the calendar.
 Alt+5
 
Show 6 days in the calendar.
 Alt+6
 
Show 7 days in the calendar.
 Alt+7
 
Show 8 days in the calendar.
 Alt+8
 
Show 9 days in the calendar.
 Alt+9
 
Show 10 days in the calendar.
 Alt+0
 
Switch to Month view.
 Alt+= or Ctrl+Alt+4
 
Switch to Full Week view.
 Alt+Minus Sign or Ctrl+Alt+3
 
Switch to Work Week view.
 Ctrl+Alt+2
 
Go to the next day.
 Ctrl+Right Arrow
 
Go to the next week.
 Alt+Down Arrow 
 
Go to the next month.
 Alt+Page Down 
 
Go to the previous day.
 Ctrl+Left Arrow
 
Go to the previous week.
 Alt+Up Arrow 
 
Go to the previous month.
 Alt+Page Up
 
Go to the start of the week.
 Alt+Home
 
Go to the end of the week.
 Alt+End
 
Go to previous appointment.
 Ctrl+Comma or Ctrl+Shift+Comma
 
Go to next appointment.
 Ctrl+Period or Ctrl+Shift+Period
 
Set up recurrence for an open appointment or meeting.
 Ctrl+G
 

See also under Views: Calendar Day/Week/Month view, and Date Navigator.

Contacts
To do this 
 Press 
 
Find a contact.
 F11
 
Dial a new call.
 Ctrl+Shift+D
 
Find a contact or other item (Search).
 F3 or Ctrl+E
 
Enter a name in the Search Address Books box.
 F11
 
In Table or List view of contacts, go to first contact that starts with a specific letter.
 Shift+letter
 
Select all contacts.
 Ctrl+A
 
Create a message with selected contact as subject.
 Ctrl+F
 
Create a contact (when in Contacts).
 Ctrl+N
 
Create a contact (from any Outlook view).
 Ctrl+Shift+C
 
Open a contact form for the selected contact.
 Ctrl+O
 
Create a contact group.
 Ctrl+Shift+L
 
Print.
 Ctrl+P
 
Update a list of contact group members.
 F5
 
Go to a different folder.
 Ctrl+Y
 
Open the Address Book.
 Ctrl+Shift+B
 
Use Advanced Find.
 Ctrl+Shift+F
 
In an open contact, open the next contact listed.
 Ctrl+Shift+Period
 
Close a contact.
 ESC
 
Send a fax to the selected contact.
 Ctrl+Shift+X
 
Open the Check Address dialog box.
 Alt+D
 
In a contact form, under Internet, display the Email 1 information.
 Alt+Shift+1
 
In a contact form, under Internet, display the Email 2 information.
 Alt+Shift+2
 
In a contact form, under Internet, display the Email 3 information.
 Alt+Shift+3
 

Electronic Business Cards 
Frequently used shortcuts for Electronic Business Cards
To do this 
 Press 
 
Open the Add list.
 Alt+A
 
Select text in Label box when the field with a label assigned is selected.
 Alt+B
 
Open the Add Card Picture dialog box.
 Alt+C
 
Place cursor at beginning of Edit box.
 Alt+E
 
Select the Fields box.
 Alt+F
 
Select the Image Align drop-down list.
 Alt+G
 
Select color palette for background.
 Alt+K, then Enter
 
Select Layout drop-down list.
 Alt+L
 
Remove a selected field from the Fields box.
 Alt+R
 

Select items in Business Cards view
To do this 
 Press 
 
Select a specific card in the list.
 One or more letters of the name that the card is filed under or the name of the field that you are sorting by
 
Select the previous card.
 Up Arrow
 
Select the next card.
 Down Arrow
 
Select the first card in the list.
 Home
 
Select the last card in the list.
 End
 
Select the first card on the current page.
 Page Up
 
Select the first card on the next page.
 Page Down
 
Select the closest card in the next column.
 Right Arrow
 
Select the closest card in the previous column.
 Left Arrow
 
Select or cancel selection of the active card.
 Ctrl+Spacebar
 
Extend the selection to the previous card and cancel selection of cards after the starting point.
 Shift+Up Arrow
 
Extend the selection to the next card and cancel selection of cards before the starting point.
 Shift+Down Arrow
 
Extend the selection to the previous card, regardless of the starting point.
 Ctrl+Shift+Up Arrow
 
Extend the selection to the next card, regardless of the starting point.
 Ctrl+Shift+Down Arrow
 
Extend the selection to the first card in the list.
 Shift+Home
 
Extend the selection to the last card in the list.
 Shift+End
 
Extend the selection to the first card on the previous page.
 Shift+Page Up
 
Extend the selection to the last card on the last page.
 Shift+Page Down
 

Move between fields in an open card
To use the following keys, make sure a field in a card is selected. To select a field when a card is selected, click the field.

To do this 
 Press 
 
Move to the next field and control.
 Tab
 
Move to the previous field and control.
 Shift+Tab
 
Close the active card.
 Enter
 

Move between characters in a field
To use the following keys, make sure a field in a card is selected. To select a field when a card is selected, click the field.

To do this 
 Press 
 
Add a line in a multiline field.
 Enter
 
Move to the beginning of a line.
 Home
 
Move to the end of a line.
 End
 
Move to the beginning of a multiline field.
 Page Up
 
Move to the end of a multiline field.
 Page Down
 
Move to the previous line in a multiline field.
 Up Arrow
 
Move to the next line in a multiline field.
 Down Arrow
 
Move to the previous character in a field.
 Left Arrow
 
Move to the next character in a field.
 Right Arrow
 

Tasks
Frequently used shortcuts for Tasks
To do this 
 Press 
 
Accept a task request.
 Alt+C
 
Decline a task request.
 Alt+D
 
Find a task or other item.
 Ctrl+E
 
Open the Go to Folder dialog box.
 Ctrl+Y
 
Create a task (when in Tasks).
 Ctrl+N
 
Create a task (from any Outlook view).
 Ctrl+Shift+K
 
Open selected item.
 Ctrl+O
 
Print selected item.
 Ctrl+P
 
Select all items.
 Ctrl+A
 
Delete selected item.
 Ctrl+D
 
Forward a task as an attachment.
 Ctrl+F
 
Create a task request.
 Ctrl+Shift+Alt+U
 
Switch between the Folder Pane, Tasks list, and To-Do Bar.
 Tab or Shift+Tab
 
Undo last action.
 Ctrl+Z
 
Flag an item or mark complete.
 Insert
 

Work with Task items in Timeline view
When an item is selected
To do this 
 Press 
 
Select the previous item.
 Left Arrow
 
Select the next item.
 Right Arrow
 
Select several adjacent items.
 Shift+Left Arrow or Shift+Right Arrow
 
Select several nonadjacent items.
 Ctrl+Left Arrow+Spacebar or Ctrl+Right Arrow+Spacebar
 
Open the selected items.
 Enter
 
Select the first item on the timeline (if items are not grouped) or the first item in the group.
 Home
 
Select the last item on the timeline (if items are not grouped) or the last item in the group.
 End
 
Display (without selecting) the first item on the timeline (if items are not grouped) or the first item in the group.
 Ctrl+Home
 
Display (without selecting) the last item on the timeline (if items are not grouped) or the last item in the group.
 Ctrl+End
 

When a group is selected
To do this 
 Press 
 
Expand the group.
 Enter or Right Arrow
 
Collapse the group.
 Enter or Left Arrow
 
Select the previous group.
 Up Arrow
 
Select the next group.
 Down Arrow
 
Select the first group on the timeline.
 Home
 
Select the last group on the timeline.
 End
 
Select the first item on screen in an expanded group or the first item off screen to the right.
 Right Arrow
 

When a unit of time on the time scale for days is selected
To do this 
 Press 
 
Move back in increments of time that are the same as those shown on the time scale.
 Left Arrow
 
Move forward in increments of time that are the same as those shown on the time scale.
 Right Arrow
 
Switch between active view, To-Do Bar, Search and back to active view.
 Tab and Shift+Tab
 

Groups
Work with groups
To do this 
 Press 
 
Expand a single selected group.
 Right Arrow
 
Collapse a single selected group.
 Left Arrow
 
Select the previous group.
 Up Arrow
 
Select the next group.
 Down Arrow
 
Select the first group.
 Home
 
Select the last group.
 End
 
Select the first item on screen in an expanded group or the first item off screen to the right.
 Right Arrow
 

Send/Receive folders and groups
To do this 
 Press 
 
Start a send/receive for all defined Send/Receive groups with Include this group in Send/Receive (F9) selected. This can include headers, full items, specified folders, items less than a specific size, or any combination that you define.
 F9
 
Start a send/receive for the current folder, retrieving full items (header, item, and any attachments).
 Shift+F9
 
Start a send/receive.
 Ctrl+M
 
Define Send/Receive groups.
 Ctrl+Alt+S
 

Views in Outlook
Table view
To do this 
 Press 
 
Open an item.
 Enter
 
Select all items.
 Ctrl+A
 
Go to the item at the bottom of the screen.
 Page Down
 
Go to the item at the top of the screen.
 Page Up
 
Extend or reduce the selected items by one item.
 Shift+Up Arrow or Shift+Down Arrow, respectively
 
Go to the next or previous item without extending the selection.
 Ctrl+Up Arrow or Ctrl+Down Arrow, respectively
 
Select or cancel selection of the active item.
 Ctrl+Spacebar
 

Calendar views
To do this 
 Press 
 
View from 1 through 9 days.
 Alt+key for number of days
 
View 10 days.
 Alt+0 (zero)
 
Switch to weeks.
 Alt+Minus Sign
 
Switch to months.
 Alt+=
 
Move between Calendar, TaskPad, and the Folder List.
 Ctrl+Tab or F6
 
Select the previous appointment.
 Shift+Tab
 
Go to the previous day.
 Left Arrow
 
Go to the next day.
 Right Arrow
 
Go to the same day in the next week.
 Alt+Down Arrow
 
Go to the same day in the previous week.
 Alt+Up Arrow
 

Day view
To do this 
 Press 
 
Select the time that begins your work day.
 HOME
 
Select the time that ends your work day.
 END
 
Select the previous block of time.
 Up Arrow
 
Select the next block of time.
 Down Arrow
 
Select the block of time at the top of the screen.
 Page Up
 
Select the block of time at the bottom of the screen.
 Page Down
 
Extend or reduce the selected time.
 Shift+Up Arrow or Shift+Down Arrow, respectively
 
Move an appointment up or down.
 With the cursor in the appointment, Alt+Up Arrow or Alt+Down Arrow, respectively
 
Change an appointment's start or end time.
 With the cursor in the appointment, Alt+Shift+Up Arrow or Alt+Shift+Down Arrow, respectively
 
Move selected item to the same day in the next week.
 Alt+Down Arrow
 
Move selected item to the same day in the previous week.
 Alt+Up Arrow
 

Week view
To do this 
 Press 
 
Go to the start of work hours for the selected day.
 Home
 
Go to the end of work hours for the selected day.
 End
 
Go up one page view in the selected day.
 Page Up
 
Go down one page view in the selected day.
 Page Down
 
Change the duration of the selected block of time.
 Shift+Left Arrow, Shift+Right Arrow, Shift+Up Arrow, or Shift+Down Arrow; or Shift+Home or Shift+End
 

Month view
To do this 
 Press 
 
Go to the first day of the week.
 Home
 
Go to the same day of the week in the previous page.
 Page Up
 
Go to the same day of the week in the next page.
 Page Down
 

Date Navigator
To do this 
 Press 
 
Go to the first day of the current week.
 Alt+Home
 
Go to the last day of the current week.
 Alt+End
 
Go to the same day in the previous week.
 Alt+Up Arrow
 
Go to the same day in the next week.
 Alt+Down Arrow