The user universe is divided into mousers and keyboarders, with the latter group stoutly insisting that it’s faster to keep your fingers on the keyboard than to stop and pick up the mouse to execute a command. If some of your users are in the keyboard camp, these basic shortcuts will be right up their alley.

Note: A comprehensive list of more than 80 Outlook shortcuts is available as a PDF download.

The shortcuts

Action Shortcut
Create an appointment Ctrl+Shift+A
Create a contact Ctrl+Shift+C
Create a folder Ctrl+Shift+E
Create a journal entry Ctrl+Shift+J
Create a distribution list Ctrl+Shift+L
Create a message Ctrl+Shift+M
Create a meeting request Ctrl+Shift+Q
Create a note Ctrl+Shift+N
Create a task Ctrl+Shift+K
Create a task request Ctrl+Shift+U
Create a fax Ctrl+Shift+X
Send a message Alt+S
Reply to a message Ctrl+R
Reply All to a message Ctrl+Shift+R
Forward a message Ctrl+F
Mark a message as read Ctrl+Q
Delete an item Ctrl+D

Finally: 10 Things… the newsletter!

Get the key facts on a wide range of technologies, techniques, strategies, and skills with the help of the concise need-to-know lists featured in TechRepublic’s 10 Things newsletter, delivered every Friday. Automatically sign up today.