Using Keyboard Shortcuts to Create a Task

Keyboard shortcuts are one of the best ways of getting things done when using Outlook. Keeping your hands on the keyboard and hitting various key combinations is much faster than using the mouse to accomplish the same tasks. Throughout this site and on the pages of my books I've shown you keyboard shortcuts that replace various mouse actions. Here we put it all together in a set of steps for creating tasks in Outlook 2003 and 2007 without touching the mouse.

To create a task using only the keyboard (assuming Outlook is running), follow these steps:

1. Get into Outlook using the ALT+TAB keyboard shortcut if you are not already there.


2. Open a new mail task window. If you are in a Task view, use CTRL+N. If you are in any other view, use CTRL+SHIFT+K.


3. The cursor starts in the Subject field. Fill in this field, then press TAB to move to the next field. In Outlook 2003, the next field is the Due date. In Outlook 2007, then next field is the Start date. Make sure you enter the correct date for the version of Outlook you are using. Press TAB to move to the next field. This will be the Start date for Outlook 2003 and the Due date for Outlook 2007.


4. Fill in this field, then press TAB to move to the Status field (this step is the same for either version of Outlook).


5. Continue filling in fields and pressing TAB to move to the next one until the cursor ends up in the body of the Task, where you can enter details of the Task or any additional information.


6. To check the spelling of this area, press the F7 key. For Outlook 2007, you can also use the ALT, H, S, S keyboard shortcut, but the old-style F7 is a lot faster.


7. If you would like to assign a Category to the Task, you can do so by pressing ALT+G in Outlook 2003, or ALT, H, G in Outlook 2007. Scroll through the Category list using the cursor keys and press SPACE to select or deselect a particular category.


8. Press ALT+S to save the Task and close the Task window.

That's what it takes to create a Task without touching the mouse in Outlook 2003 or 2007. It will take you some practice to learn to consistently use this process, but once you do, you'll be able to create Tasks that much faster and easier.

• The top of this page


• The General Outlook Tips page.


• The Keyboard Shortcuts to Send Mail page.


• The Keyboard Shortcuts to Create an Appointment page.


• The Living With Outlook home page.