Assign Categories using shortcuts (Ctrl+FX)

Question

I recently switched to the new Outlook app and I realized that I can no longer assign categories to my e-mails using the Ctrl+F1/F2/F3/... shortcuts. Is this a feature that will no longer be available? Or is it some sort of bug?

Answer 1

Dear Beatriz Ulecia

Good day! Thank you for posting to the Microsoft Community. We are happy to help you!

First of all, we regret for the inconvenience caused to your work. Based on your description, in classic Outlook you have an option to assign keyboard shortcut key for the category under all category option. However, this feature is not yet available in the new Outlook, but as a work around you can create a quick steps to create a keyboard shortcut key to assign category. To do this, Go to settings (the gear icon at the top right corner) -->Mail -->Quick steps --> New quick steps -->give name for your quick steps -->Under choose action, select Categorize message and then select the color category -->Under optional, create shortcut key, select your desire shortcut key save. Then check if there is any difference. You can refer to the screenshot below:

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Actually here are many differences between the new version of the Outlook client and the classic version of the Outlook client. Your suggestion is undoubtedly a good proposition, and I am very confident that the introduction of this feature will greatly increase the ease of our work.We understand your feelings, but unfortunately, our forum does not have permission to help you change, because the default feature changes of the product are decided by the development team and the design team of the product. And about your suggestions, I also believe that this is the voice of many users, everyone is anxiously looking forward to early improvement, in order not to waste more time and better help you, I strongly recommend that you submit your valuable suggestions to new outlook feedback so that relevant technical developers and designers can see your valuable suggestions. Please believe that the relevant departments of Microsoft will strive to improve themselves after seeing your valuable suggestions, and your valuable opinions will also help more users and make the work more efficient. Thank you in advance for your contribution!

And about how to give feedback to outlook please kindly refer to Contact support and provide feedback in new Outlook for Windows - Microsoft Support

In the meantime, you can also use this link to see if the feature you want to implement is already being developed by Microsoft, please also kindly click on it to get the development progress: Microsoft 365 roadmap

Thank you in advance for your understanding! Your patience and cooperation will be greatly appreciated. I hope all the best!

Sincerely

Kerry Chen | Community Moderator