Making Outlook More Efficient

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After trying several different email and calendar programs, including Google’s, I’ve yet to find one that I consider as functional as Outlook. The only problem is that cycling through umpteen running applications just so I can add an appointment to my calendar or a task to my To Do list is a real pain in the neck. So more often than not I promise myself that I’ll remember to add it later… and then, of course, I forget about it.

Today, though, I ran across Microsoft’s list of command-line switches for Outlook and realized I could easily create shortcuts in my Quick Launch bar to accomplish those things with just one click. If you’re using Outlook, too, you’ll find this a surprisingly easy yet helpful little trick.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Right-click in your Quick Launch and select “Open Folder”.

2. Right-click again in the Quick Launch folder and select New -> Shortcut.

3. When prompted for the item location, paste the desired shortcut location.

• To create a new task, copy and paste (without line breaks):
  "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\OUTLOOK.EXE" /c ipm.task /a
• To create a new appointment, copy and paste (without line breaks):
  "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\OUTLOOK.EXE" /c ipm.appointment /a
• To start a new email, copy and paste (without line breaks):
  "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\OUTLOOK.EXE" /c ipm.note /a

4. Name your shortcut and press “Finish”.

5. To change the icon for the a shortcut, right-click on it and select Properties > Change Icon and choose the appropriate one from the list that appears. Then click “Apply”.

That’s all it takes to end the hassle of Alt-Tabbing through programs next time you want to remind yourself to do something or dash off an email asking your spouse to pick up dinner on the way home.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, May 15th, 2008 at 5:54 pm and is filed under Blogger Toolbox. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

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Tagged in: command line switches | outlook exe | quick launch bar | shortcuts

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