Short answer
You can use New Outlook keyboard shortcuts, and Microsoft documents shortcut lists for New Outlook, Outlook Web, and Outlook.com in its keyboard shortcuts guide. Outlook Web also lets users choose a shortcut scheme in Accessibility settings.
That is not the same as custom keyboard shortcuts. If you want Ctrl+Shift+T to insert a support reply, Alt+A to archive and mark read, or Ctrl+Shift+P to save as PDF, use an extension such as Outlook Power Tools.
Shortcut design rule: bind keys to actions you repeat daily, not actions you merely dislike. A shortcut you use twice a month is just another thing to remember.
What Microsoft supports
Microsoft's official guidance covers built-in shortcuts and shortcut schemes. In Outlook Web and Outlook.com, users can choose which shortcut style to use - Outlook, Yahoo Mail, Gmail, or off - from Settings, General, Accessibility, Keyboard shortcuts.
| Need | Built-in New Outlook support | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Use fixed shortcuts for reply, forward, archive, search | Yes | Works if keyboard shortcuts are enabled. |
| Choose Gmail-style or Outlook-style shortcuts | Yes | Available in Outlook Web shortcut settings. |
| Create a custom shortcut for one command | No full editor | Use an extension or OS-level automation. |
| Bind a shortcut to an email template | Not native | Best handled by a template extension. |
| Bind a shortcut to a Quick Step | Limited or unavailable | New Outlook does not match Classic Outlook's old Quick Step shortcut flow. |
Good custom shortcut targets
Outlook Power Tools keyboard shortcuts can trigger templates, Quick Steps, and common mail actions. The best targets are actions that save both thinking and clicking.
- Insert template: support intake, follow-up, scheduling, out-of-office, refund note.
- Run Quick Step: mark as read plus move to Archive, flag plus forward, reply with template.
- Run mail action: reply, archive, move to folder, mark as read, flag, compose new mail.
- Export record: save the open email as PDF when you need a repeatable archive flow.
A shortcut map that does not collide with Outlook
| Shortcut | Suggested action | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrl+Shift+T | Insert template | T for template is easy to remember. |
| Ctrl+Shift+M | Move to folder Quick Step | M maps to move and avoids single-key conflicts. |
| Ctrl+Shift+F | Flag workflow | Use only if it does not conflict with your forward shortcut. |
| Alt+Shift+A | Archive plus mark read | Good for triage after reading a message. |
| Ctrl+Alt+P | PDF export | P maps to PDF or print without using the browser print command. |
Before saving a shortcut, test it in compose, message list, and reading pane. Outlook, the browser, and the operating system can all claim key combinations.
How to keep shortcuts usable
- Start with two shortcuts, not ten.
- Prefer Ctrl+Shift or Alt+Shift combinations over single-letter keys.
- Write the action name like a command: "Archive client receipt", "Insert refund reply".
- Do not override browser shortcuts such as Ctrl+L, Ctrl+T, Ctrl+W, or Ctrl+R.
- Review shortcuts after two weeks and delete the ones you did not use.
The goal is not a keyboard-only inbox. The goal is to remove the few repetitive clicks that happen all day.
FAQ
Can I create custom keyboard shortcuts in New Outlook?
New Outlook does not provide a full per-command hotkey editor. Outlook Power Tools adds custom shortcut binding for templates, Quick Steps, and mail actions.
Where are keyboard shortcut settings in Outlook Web?
Go to Settings, General, Accessibility, then Keyboard shortcuts. You can choose the shortcut scheme or turn shortcuts off.
Why are Outlook keyboard shortcuts not working?
They may be disabled, the wrong shortcut scheme may be selected, focus may be inside a compose field, or another app/browser shortcut may be intercepting the key combination.