New Outlook Assign Category Keyboard Shortcut behavior changes

Question

New Outlook Assign Category Keyboard Shortcut behavior changes

Daniel A 20

Not sure if a recent update changed web shortcut behaviors again:

Previous behavior: c --> [type category for filter] --> Hit Enter to Assign --> Esc to close menu

Current behavior: c --> [type category for filter] --> Hit Enter --> Shows check mark as assigned --> Esc to close menu but assignment doesn't happen

To make the assignment happen:
- key down into the menu, then Esc
- click out of the menu with the mouse
- pretty much any other action

Essentially, Esc'ing out of the menu does not permit the assignment to stay, it seems to now abort the whole operation. This used to be a very quick operation, but it seems with every change the number of key strokes is increased. This behavior is consistent on the web version and desktop version of new Outlook.

I want to understand if this is a new change to the actual application, or if there is another setting on my computer or within Outlook that can improve the speed for assigning categories.

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

0 additional answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Jayden-P 26,280 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi @Daniel A

First, I'd like to clarify that we're not Microsoft support, this is a user-to-user support forum. Moderators have no backend access and cannot directly intervene in Microsoft products. We provide only technical guidance and best-practice recommendations based on reported issues.

I have tested on my side and see the exact behavior you are seeing. Another user has also raised a similar behavior, you can give this feedback a check: Changes to new Outlook "Category" shortcut and menu · Community

I understand the old flow would be quicker and more efficiency in daily workflow, therefore, please upvote for this feedback. You can also to create new feedback as well so you can describe your scenario clearer. Outlook (new) · Community

Meanwhile, you could also check out the alternative methods:

You can assign direct shortcuts to categories (in case you have a few categories)

Go to Settings › Accounts › Categories and use the Shortcut column to assign Ctrl+F2–Ctrl+F12 to your most‑used categories. Select a message and press the shortcut once per category you want to add; this avoids opening the menu.

User's image

Once again, I am so sorry about the inconvenience. If you create new feedback, please feel free to drop the link here so I and other people can upvote for you as well.

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Daniel A 20 Reputation points

2026-07-09T17:31:43.61+00:00

Thanks - but the changes tend to make things harder rather than easier. Thanks for the reference to the shortcuts, but the function key shortcuts are not easier compared the keyboard.

The previous post is for a different issue that started months ago - my issue essentially started yesterday. It adds an additional step to the one already complained about in the previous post.
Jayden-P 26,280 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-10T07:34:26.7266667+00:00

I understand your point, and I appreciate your feedback. The reason why I refer the feedback above is because you all have the same goal, to be able to customize Category shortcut behavior. In your case, Esc should exit the panel and apply the category.
Daniel A 20 Reputation points

2026-07-10T12:13:40.1966667+00:00

Yes - to get a little more specific, as soon as the category is selected (either through the Enter button or Clicking) the category should be applied. Esc just exits the menu. Back in January, the behavior changed as well as is shown in the post your linked to. I generally like New Outlook, it would be better if MSFT got the functionality up to the classic version of Outlook. Until these types of random changes are addressed, New Outlook will probably continue to earn the bad reputation.
Jayden-P 26,280 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-10T12:29:30.01+00:00

Thanks for your sharing.

You could also raise this issue to your IT admin of your organization; you can ask them to open a support ticket to report this unexpected behavior.

I really appreciate your contribution on this, hope you're having a good day.