Shortcuts by role · Outlook, Teams, Word

Microsoft 365 shortcuts for executive assistants

Executive assistants juggle several inboxes, a packed diary and last-minute documents, often all at once. The best EAs make it look effortless because they never waste a click. These shortcuts keep you a step ahead of your executive's day.

15 hand-picked shortcutsUpdated October 2026

The shortcuts that matter most

  1. Ctrl+2

    Go to Calendar Outlook

    Jump into the diary the moment a meeting request lands.

  2. Alt+Shift+Y

    Go to today in Calendar (new Outlook) Outlook

    Snap the calendar back to today (new Outlook).

  3. Ctrl+1

    Go to Mail Outlook

    Return to Mail straight after.

  4. Ctrl+N

    Create a new message or calendar event Outlook

    Create a new event or email from wherever you are.

  5. Ctrl+F

    Forward the selected email Outlook

    Forward a message to the right person in seconds.

  6. Insert

    Flag a message or mark a flagged message complete Outlook

    Flag emails that need your executive's decision.

  7. Ctrl+Q

    Mark the selected conversation as read Outlook

    Mark handled conversations as read to keep the inbox clean.

  8. Ctrl+E

    Search the current mailbox Outlook

    Search the mailbox for an attachment or thread instantly.

  9. Ctrl+Enter

    Send an email message Outlook

    Send the moment a message is ready.

  10. Ctrl+Shift+Y

    Admit people from the lobby notification Teams

    Admit guests from the lobby so meetings start on time.

  11. Ctrl+G

    Go to a specific chat or channel Teams

    Jump straight to a specific chat or channel.

  12. Alt+Shift+V

    Start a video call Teams

    Start a quick video call from a chat.

  13. Ctrl+H

    Find and replace text Word

    Update names and dates across briefing documents in one pass.

  14. Ctrl+Shift+V

    Paste text only Word

    Paste text only, so documents stay on-brand.

  15. Ctrl+K

    Insert a hyperlink Word

    Add tidy, descriptive links to briefings and agendas.

How to learn them: pick three a week, use them every day until they're automatic, then add three more. Practice mode makes it stick faster.

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