5 quick Microsoft Entourage keyboard shortcuts

Mac users: If you're used to managing your schedule and contacts with Outlook, switching to Microsoft Entourage isn't familiar.

Your mail and calendar software should be quick and simple to use. Here are some quick tips that should save you some time and frustration:

⌘ + [1-6]

If you're a Firefox user, this will be native to you. Command + [number] corresponds to the tabs in the web browser. In Entourage, each app (Email, Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, Notes) is represented by a number. It's the main navigation of the program.

CTRL + [1-5]

I just learned this trick today, and it's actually what prompted me to write this how-to.

When you are in your mail stream, sometimes you have action items that you want to attend to later, but it's not always convenient to right click and say "Mark as Unread". Instead, hit CTRL + 1 when an important message is highlighted.

This actions flags that message as a to-do item. You will be reminded by the end of the day to respond to the message.

CTRL + 2 makes it due tomorrow. CTRL + 3: you'll be reminded to act on the following day.

⌘ + J

Hit Command + J to forward a message. Not to be confused with Command + R (Reply) or Command + Shift + R (Reply to All).

⌘ + 9

Command + 9 shows or hides the My Day widget:

⌘ + SHIFT + J

This one is a little harder to remember, but if you get a lot of junk mail, it's pretty handy. This command adds a message to the Spam folder.

Luckily, the next version of Microsoft Office for Mac will include Outlook instead of Entourage.

Bonus: