Office for Mac Issues

How to Move Messages with Keyboard Shortcuts in Outlook for Mac

Huda Qurayshi Oct 15, 2026 871 views

Question details

Users want to know if there is a way to set up or use keyboard shortcuts to quickly move emails to specific folders in Outlook for Mac.

How to Move Messages Using a Keyboard Shortcut in Outlook for Mac

Product: Outlook for Mac
Device & OS: Mac
Scenario: Organizing inbox emails into specific folders efficiently.
Observed behavior: Users cannot find a way to assign a custom keyboard shortcut to move emails to a specific folder, as this feature is currently unsupported natively.

Before you start

Ensure your Outlook app is up to date and your email accounts are fully synced before reorganizing your inbox folders.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Default Move to Folder Shortcut

While you cannot assign a unique shortcut to a specific folder, you can use the default Move command to quickly search and select your target folder.

Outlook for Mac natively provides a global 'Move' shortcut. It opens a dialog box where you can quickly type the name of the folder you want to move the selected message to, making inbox organization much faster than dragging and dropping.

Select the target message

Click on the email message you wish to move within your inbox.

Activate the Move command

Press the key combination Shift+Command+M on your Mac keyboard.

Choose the destination folder

Type the name of the destination folder in the search bar, select it from the dropdown list, and click Move (or press Return).

Feature Limitation: Currently, creating custom keyboard shortcuts for specific folders is unsupported in Outlook for Mac. You can vote for this feature request on the Microsoft Feedback Portal.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create a custom keyboard shortcut to move an email to a specific folder in Outlook for Mac?

No, Outlook for Mac currently does not support assigning custom shortcuts to specific destination folders. You must use the default Shift+Command+M shortcut to open the Move menu and then select your specific folder.

Where can I find more keyboard shortcuts for Outlook for Mac?

You can find a comprehensive list of default keyboard shortcuts by visiting the official Microsoft Support page for Outlook for Mac keyboard shortcuts, which covers shortcuts for formatting, navigating, and organizing.

Will Microsoft add custom folder shortcuts in the future?

Many users have requested this feature. You can add your voice by voting for or commenting on the active feature request in the Microsoft Feedback Portal. Microsoft often prioritizes updates based on user feedback.

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