Weekly Computer Tip # 219
25 January 2008


Keyboard shortcut for sending a message
(Outlook 2000-2007)

Not sure since when Microsoft introduced this feature (I can only test version 2000, 2003 and 2007) but in all of these versions of Outlook you can use a keyboard shortcut rather than your mouse to send a message. (And I'm sure you all know how much I like keyboard shortcuts!)

Here's how:

  1. Compose your message as normal.
  2. Press CTRL+ENTER.

In Outlook 2007 you will be asked to confirm whether or not you want to use CTRL+ENTER as a keyboard shortcut for sending a message. (I guess, just in case you pressed the two keys by accident.) If you never want to see this warning again, simply tick the "Please do not show me this dialog again" check box before pressing Yes to confirm you really, really meant to send the message.

By the way, this isn't a setting you can easily "unset". Let me put on my anorak for a moment ... it will set a registry key that lets Outlook know that you never want to see that dialog again. If you change your mind, you'll need to edit the registry to enable the dialog, which isn't something I'd recommend a "standard user" to do. So think before you tick!

.