Keyboard shortcuts for Outlook

Many users find that using an external keyboard with keyboard shortcuts for Outlook helps them work more efficiently. For users with mobility or vision disabilities,
keyboard shortcuts can be easier than using the touchscreen, and are an essential alternative to using a mouse.

In this topic
 Frequently used shortcuts
 Shortcuts for basic navigation
 Create an item or file
 Format text
 Use search
 Print items
 Use flags
 Use color categories
 Mail keyboard shortcuts
 Calendar keyboard shortcuts
 People keyboard shortcuts
 Tasks keyboard shortcuts
 Open the Visual Basic Editor
 Play macros
 Work with item groups
 Create or close an InfoPath email form in Outlook 2007, 2010, or 2013

Frequently used shortcuts

This table lists the most frequently used shortcuts in Outlook.

To do this Press
Close a window or a menu. Esc
Go to the Home tab. Alt+H
Create a new message. Ctrl+Shift+M
Send a message. Alt+S
Insert a file. Alt+N, A, F
New task Ctrl+Shift+K
Delete an item (when a message, task, or meeting is selected). Delete
Search for an item. Ctrl+E or F3
Reply to a message. Alt+H, R, P
Forward a message. Alt+H, F, W
Select the Reply All option. Alt+H, R, A
Ctrl+C or Ctrl+Insert
Copy an item.
Note: Ctrl+Insert is not available in the Reading pane.
Go to the Send/Receive tab. Alt+J, S
Go to Calendar. Ctrl+2
Create an appointment. Ctrl+Shift+A
Move an item to a folder. Alt+H, M, V, and select a folder from the list
Open the Save As dialog on the Attachment tab. Alt+J, A, A, V
Check for new messages. Ctrl+M or F9
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Shortcuts for basic navigation

To do this Press
Switch to the Mail view. Ctrl+1
Switch to the Calendar view. Ctrl+2
Switch to the Contacts view. Ctrl+3
Switch to the Tasks view. Ctrl+4
Switch to the Notes. Ctrl+5
Switch to the Folder list in the Folder pane. Ctrl+6
Switch to Shortcuts. Ctrl+7
Open Journal. Ctrl+8
Open the Address Book. Ctrl+Shift+B
Go back to previous view. Alt+B or Alt+Left arrow key
Go forward to next view. Alt+Right arrow key
Switch to next open message. Ctrl+Period (.)
Switch to previous open message. Ctrl+Comma (,)
Move between the Folder pane, the main Outlook window, the Reading pane, and the To-Do bar. Ctrl+Shift+Tab key or Shift+Tab key
 To do this Press
Move between the Outlook window, the smaller panes in the Folder pane, the Reading pane, and the
Tab key or F6
sections in the To-Do bar.
Move between the ribbon and the calendar. F6
Show the access keys in the ribbon. Alt or F6
Move around message header lines in the Folder pane or an open message. Ctrl+Tab
Move between the Navigation pane and the calendar. Ctrl+Tab
Move around within the Folder pane. Arrow keys
Go to a different folder. Ctrl+Y
Go to the Search box. F3 or Ctrl+E
In the Reading pane, go to the previous message. Alt+Up arrow key or Ctrl+Comma, or Alt+Page Up
In the Reading pane, page down through the text. Spacebar
In the Reading pane, page up through the text. Shift+Spacebar
Collapse or expand a group in the email message list. Left or Right arrow key, respectively
Go back to previous view in the main Outlook window. Alt+B or Alt+Left arrow key
Go forward to next view in the main Outlook window. Alt+Right arrow key
Select the InfoBar and, if available, show the menu of commands. Ctrl+Shift+W
Alt+V, B, and then C for Calendar, P for People, T for Tasks,
Show the To-Do bar (peek).
or O for Off
Navigate to the ribbon
To do this Press
Open the Home tab. Alt+H
Open the File menu. Alt+F
Open the Send/Receive tab. Alt+S
Open the Folder tab. Alt+O
Open the View tab. Alt+V
Open the Search tab. Ctrl+E
Go to the Tell Me search field. Alt+Q
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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 an Microsoft Office document. Ctrl+Shift+H
Post to the selected folder. Ctrl+Shift+S
Post a reply in the selected folder. Ctrl+T
Create a Search folder. Ctrl+Shift+P
Create a task. Ctrl+Shift+K
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Format text
This table lists the keyboard shortcuts for formatting text in email messages, appointments, or meeting invitations in Outlook.

To do this Press
Display the Format Text tab on the ribbon. Alt+O
Display the Font dialog. Ctrl+Shift+P
Switch the case of the first letter in a selected word or line. Shift+F3
Toggle the case of the selected text between small caps and all caps. Ctrl+Shift+K
Apply bold formatting. Ctrl+B
Add a bulleted list. Ctrl+Shift+L
Apply italic formatting. Ctrl+I
Increase indent. Ctrl+T
Decrease indent. Ctrl+Shift+T
Center text. Ctrl+E
Underline text. Ctrl+U
Increase the font size. Ctrl+Right bracket (]) or Ctrl+Shift+Greater-than sign (>)
Decrease the font size. Ctrl+Left bracket ([) or Ctrl+Shift+Less-than sign (<)
Cut a selection. Ctrl+X or Shift+Delete
 To do this Press
Ctrl+C or Ctrl+Insert
Copy a selection.
Note: Ctrl+Insert is not available in the Reading pane.
Paste the copied or cut selection. Ctrl+V or Shift+Insert
Clear the formatting. Ctrl+Shift+Z or Ctrl+Spacebar
Delete the next word. Ctrl+Shift+H
Justify text (Stretch a paragraph to fit between the margins}. Ctrl+Shift+J
Apply styles. Ctrl+Shift+S
Create a hanging indent. Ctrl+T
Insert a hyperlink. Ctrl+K
Left-align a paragraph. Ctrl+L
Right-align a paragraph. Ctrl+R
Reduce a hanging indent. Ctrl+Shift+T
Remove paragraph formatting. Ctrl+Q
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Use search
To do this Press
Go to the Search field to find a message or another item. Ctrl+E or F3
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, symbols, or some formatting commands when in the Reading pane or in an open item. Ctrl+H
Expand search to include items from the current folder. Ctrl+Alt+K
Expand search to include subfolders. Ctrl+Alt+Z
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Print items
To do this Press
Open the Print page in the File menu. Alt+F, P
Print an item from an open window. Alt+F, P, F, 1
Open the Page Setup dialog on Print page. Alt+S or Alt+U
Select a printer on the Print page. Alt+F, P, I
Open the Print Options dialog. Alt+F, P, R

Use flags
To do this Press
Open the Flag for Follow Up dialog to assign a flag. Ctrl+Shift+G

Use color categories

To do this Press
Delete the selected category from the list in the Color categories dialog. Alt+D
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Mail keyboard shortcuts

To do this Press
Switch to Inbox. Ctrl+Shift+I
Switch to Outbox. Ctrl+Shift+O
Check names. Ctrl+K
Send a message. Alt+S
Reply to a message. Ctrl+R
Select the Reply to All option. Ctrl+Shift+R
Reply with a meeting request. Ctrl+Alt+R
Forward a message. Ctrl+F
Mark a message as not junk. Ctrl+Alt+J
Display blocked external content (in a message). Ctrl+Shift+I
Post to a folder. Ctrl+Shift+S
Apply Normal style. Ctrl+Shift+N
Check for new messages. Ctrl+M or F9
Go to the previous message. Up arrow key
Go to the next message. Down arrow key
Create a message (when in Mail view). Ctrl+N
 To do this Press
Create a message (from any Outlook view). Ctrl+Shift+M
Open a received message Ctrl+O
Delete and ignore a conversation. Ctrl+Shift+D
Open the Address Book. Ctrl+Shift+B
Add a Quick flag to an unopened message. Insert
Display the Flag for follow up dialog. Ctrl+Shift+G
Mark a message as read. Ctrl+Q
Mark a message as unread. Ctrl+U
Open the MailTip in the selected message. Ctrl+Shift+W
Find or replace text. F4
Find the next item. Shift+F4
Send a message. Ctrl+Enter
Print an item. Ctrl+P
Forward a message as an attachment. Ctrl+Alt+F
Show the properties for the selected item. Alt+Enter
Mark an item for download. Ctrl+Alt+M
Check the Mark for download status. Ctrl+Alt+U
Display the Send/Receive progress. Ctrl+B (when a Send/Receive is in progress)
Save an item. Ctrl+S
Open the Save as dialog. F12
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Use the Folder pane

To do this Press
Move around within the Folder pane. Up and Down arrow keys
Move to the Message list from the Folder pane. Spacebar or Enter
Create a new folder. Shift+F10, N
Expand a selected group or folder with subfolders. Right arrow key
Collapse a selected group or folder with subfolders. Left arrow key
Open a selected item in the Folder pane. Spacebar or Enter
Rename a selected folder in the list of folders. F2
Delete a selected folder in the list. Default folders, such as Inbox, Outbox, Drafts, and Sent) cannot be deleted. Shift+F10, D
Jump to folder by typing first letter of folder name. For example, to go to the Drafts folder, type d. If multiple folders start with same letter, The first letter of a folder
repeat the letter until you reach the folder you want. name
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Use the message list

To do this Press
Move down and up in the message list. Down and Up arrow keys
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 key or Shift+Down arrow key
Go to the next or previous item without extending the selection. Ctrl+Up arrow key or Ctrl+Down arrow key
Select or cancel selection of the active item. Ctrl+Spacebar
Expand groups of messages (for example, Last Week). Right arrow key
Collapse groups of messages (for example, Last Week). Left arrow key
Select multiple adjacent messages. Shift+Down or Up arrow key
Select multiple non-adjacent messages. Ctrl+Up or Down arrow key, and then, to select each message, press Spacebar
Move message to folder. Ctrl+Shift+V
Add Follow Up or Quick Flag to message. Shift+F10, U, T (in Narrator, Insert)
Add Custom Flag to message. Ctrl+Shift+G
Mark message as junk or not junk. Shift+F10, J, then the Up or Down arrow key, and then Enter
Mark a message as read. Ctrl+Q
Mark a message as unread. Ctrl+U
Mark an item to download. Alt+S, M, T
Mark an item to download a copy. Alt+S, M, C
Unmark an item to download. Alt+S, U, U
Unmark an item to download a copy. Alt+S, U, K
Delete a message. Alt+H+D
Ignore a message. Alt+H, X
Reply to a message. Alt+H, R, P
Select the Reply All option. Alt+H, R, A
Forward a message. Alt+H, F, W
Open a message. Enter
Display a blocked content menu. Ctrl+Shift+W
Download blocked pictures or images. Ctrl+Shift+W, P
 To do this Press
Show email properties. Alt+Enter
Post to a folder. Ctrl+Shift+S
Copy item to a folder. Ctrl+Shift+Y
Print a message. Ctrl+P
Set how often Outlook checks for new messages. Ctrl+Alt+S
Set the junk mail options. Alt+H, J, O
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Use the Reading pane

To do this Press
Alt+Up arrow key or Ctrl+Comma
Go to the previous message.
(,),or Alt+Page up
Page down through text. Spacebar
Page up through text. Shift+Spacebar
Move to the next field. Tab key
Move to previous field. Shift+Tab
Move to the next or previous link. Tab key or Shift+Tab
Jump to the Reply button. Alt+R
In an email message, select the InfoBar and, if available, show the options menu.

Ctrl+Shift+W
The InfoBar appears in messages that contain additional information, for example, about conflicting meetings and actions are
needed. If available, the InfoBar appears in the message below the subject and sender.
Close the InfoBar menu. Esc
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Check for new emails and send outgoing messages (Send/Receive)

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

To do this Press
Create an appointment (when in the Calendar view). Ctrl+N
Create an appointment (in any Outlook view). Ctrl+Shift+A
Create a meeting request. Ctrl+Shift+Q or Alt+H, M, R
Open the New Items menu to select which item you'd like to create. Alt+H+I
Forward an appointment or meeting. Alt+H, F, W or Ctrl+F
Reply to a meeting request with a message. Ctrl+R
Select the Reply All option. Ctrl+Shift+R
Show one day in the calendar. Alt+1
Show two days in the calendar. Alt+2
Show three days in the calendar. Alt+3
Show four days in the calendar. Alt+4
Show five days in the calendar. Alt+5
Show six days in the calendar. Alt+6
Show seven days in the calendar. Alt+7
Show eight days in the calendar. Alt+8
Show nine days in the calendar. Alt+9
Show ten days in the calendar. Alt+0
Show today in the calendar. Alt+H, O, D
Show the daily view. Alt+H+R or Ctrl+Alt+1
Show the next seven days. Alt+H, X
Go to a date. Ctrl+G or Alt+H+L
Switch to Month view. Alt+Equal or Ctrl+Alt+4
Go to the next day. Ctrl+Right arrow key
Go to the next week. Alt+Down arrow key
Go to the next month. Alt+Page down
Go to the previous day. Ctrl+Left arrow key
Go to the previous week. Alt+Up arrow key
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
 To do this Press
Switch to the Full Week view. Alt+Minus sign (-) or Ctrl+Alt+3
Switch to the Work Week view. Ctrl+Alt+2
Go to the previous appointment. Ctrl+Comma (,) or Ctrl+Shift+Comma (,)
Go to the next appointment. Ctrl+Period (.) or Ctrl+Shift+Period (.)
Set up recurrence for an open appointment or meeting. Ctrl+G
Open an appointment when the reminder appears. Alt+O
Open the reminder window. Alt+V, M
Snooze the reminder. Alt+S 
Dismiss the reminder. Alt+D
Alt+F, T, A, then Alt+P. Press the Tab key until you reach the Browse
Assign a sound to a reminder. button, and press Enter. In the Reminder Sound File dialog, type or select
the name of the sound file you want.
Jump to Search. Ctrl+E
Show the selected schedule in a horizontal layout if you want to compare calendars to
Alt+H, S, V or Ctrl+Alt+5
schedule meetings.
Add shared calendars from your contacts, or create a new calendar. Alt+H, O, C
Create a new calendar group or add a department calendar. Alt+H, C, G
Email a selected calendar to a contact. Alt+H, E
Share a calendar with others. Alt+H, S, C
Publish a calendar online. Alt+H, P, O
View and edit the sharing permissions for a folder. Alt+H, F, P
Search for contacts. Alt+H, F, C
Open the address book. Alt+H, A, B
Open the Outlook Options dialog for calendars. Alt+H, C, O
If information for the currently selected item is abbreviated or not read in full, activate
the Microsoft Active Accessibility (MSAA) information. MSAA provides more details Alt+Ctrl+Shift+M
to JAWS so that the information can be read in full.
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Use the day/week/month view

To do this Press
View from one through nine days. Alt+key for number of days
View 10 days. Alt+0 (zero)
Switch to the Week view. Alt+Minus sign (-)
Switch to the Month view. Alt+Equal sign (=)
Move between the Calendar view, TaskPad, and Folder list. Ctrl+Tab or F6
Select the previous appointment. Shift+Tab
Go to the previous day. Left arrow key
Go to the next day. Right arrow key
Go to the same day in the next week. Alt+Down arrow key
Go to the same day in the previous week. Alt+Up arrow key
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Use the single 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 key
Select the next block of time. Down arrow key
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 key or Shift+Down arrow key
Move an appointment up or down. With the cursor in the appointment, Alt+Up arrow key or Alt+Down arrow key
Change an appointment's start or end time. With the cursor in the appointment, Alt+Shift+Up arrow key or Alt+Shift+Down arrow key
Move selected item to the same day in the next week. Alt+Down arrow key
Move selected item to the same day in the previous week. Alt+Up arrow key
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Use the 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
Shift+Left arrow key, Shift+Right arrow key, Shift+Up arrow key, Shift+Down arrow key, Shift+Home, or
Change the duration of the selected block of time.
Shift+End
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Use the 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
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Use the Date Navigator view

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 key
Go to the same day in the next week. Alt+Down arrow key
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People keyboard shortcuts

To do this Press
Dial a new call to a contact. Ctrl+Shift+D
Find a contact. F3 or Ctrl+E
Enter a name in the Search Address Books. F11
In Table or List view of contacts, go to the first contact that starts with a specific letter. Shift, followed by a letter
Select all contacts. Ctrl+A
Create a message with the 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
Open the Print dialog. 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 (.)
Find a contact in Favorites. F11
Close a contact. ESC
Send a fax to the selected contact. Ctrl+Shift+X
Open the Check Address dialog. 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
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Use the Business Cards or Address view

To do this Press
Type one or more letters of the name that the card is filed under, or type the name of the
Select a specific card in the list.
field you are sorting by
Select the previous card. Up arrow key
Select the next card. Down arrow key
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 key
Select the closest card in the previous column. Left arrow key
Select or cancel the selection of the active card. Ctrl+Spacebar
Extend the selection to the previous card and cancel the selection of cards
Shift+Up arrow key
after the starting point.
Extend the selection to the next card and cancel the selection of cards before
Shift+Down arrow key
the starting point.
Extend the selection to the previous card, regardless of the starting point. Ctrl+Shift+Up arrow key
Extend the selection to the next card, regardless of the starting point. Ctrl+Shift+Down arrow key
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
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Shortcuts in the Edit Business Cards dialog
To do this Press
Open the Add menu list. Alt+A
Select text in the Label box when the field with a label assigned is selected. Alt+B
Open the Add Card Picture dialog. Alt+C
Place cursor at beginning of the Edit text field. Alt+E
Go to and select the Fields box. Alt+F
Select the Image Align menu. Alt+G
Select the color palette for the background. Alt+K, Enter
Select the Layout menu. Alt+L
Remove a selected field from the Fields box. Alt+R
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Move between fields in an open Business Card

To use the following keys, make sure that a field in a card is selected.

To do this Press
Move to the next field and control. Tab key
Move to the previous field and control. Shift+Tab
Close the active card. Enter or Escape
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Move between characters in a Business Card field

To use the following keys, make sure that a field in a card is selected or that the focus is located in 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 key
Move to the next line in a multiline field. Down arrow key
Move to the previous character in a field. Left arrow key
Move to the next character in a field. Right arrow key
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Tasks keyboard shortcuts

To do this Press
Accept a task request. Ctrl+C
Decline a task request. Ctrl+D
Find a task or other item. Ctrl+E
Open the Go to Folder dialog. Ctrl+Y
Create a task when in Tasks view. Ctrl+N
Create a task from any Outlook view. Ctrl+Shift+K
Open the selected item. Ctrl+O
Print the 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 key or Shift+Tab
Undo the last action. Ctrl+Z
Flag an item or mark complete. Insert
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Use the Timeline view when an item is selected

To do this Press
Select the previous item. Left arrow key
Select the next item. Right arrow key
Select multiple adjacent items. Shift+Left or Right arrow key
Ctrl+Left arrow key+Spacebar or Ctrl+Right arrow
Select multiple non-adjacent items.
key+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 Ctrl+Home
 To do this Press
group.
Display (without selecting) the last item on the timeline (if items are not grouped) or the last item in the
Ctrl+End
group.
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Use the Timeline view when a group is selected

To do this Press
Expand the group. Enter or Right arrow key
Collapse the group. Enter or Left arrow key
Select the previous group. Up arrow key
Select the next group. Down arrow key
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 key
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Use the Timeline view when a time unit 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 key
Move forward in increments of time that are the same as those shown on the time scale. Right arrow key
Switch between active view, the To-Do bar, Search, and back to active view. Tab key and Shift+Tab
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Open the Visual Basic Editor

To do this Press
Open the Visual Basic Editor. Alt+F11
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Play macros
To do this Press
Play a macro. Alt+F8
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Work with item groups

To do this Press
Expand a single selected group. Right arrow key
Collapse a single selected group. Left arrow key
Select the previous group. Up arrow key
Select the next group. Down arrow key
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 key
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