Automate common or repetitive tasks in Outlook using Quick Steps

Quick Steps is a new feature in Microsoft Outlook 2010 that applies multiple actions at the same time to email messages. This helps you quickly manage your mailbox. For example, if you frequently move messages to a specific folder, you can use a Quick Step to move the message in one click. Or, if you forward messages to your manager or peers, a one-click Quick Step can simplify the task.
The Quick Steps included with Outlook 2010 can be customized. You can also create your own to make a Quick Steps gallery of mail actions that you take most often.

Default Quick Steps. You can customize any of the default Quick Steps. When you use some Quick Steps for the first time, you are prompted to configure them. For example, if you want a Quick Step to move messages to a certain folder, you must specify the folder before you can use the Quick Step.

To configure or change existing Quick Steps, do the following:

1. In Mail, on the Home tab, in the Quick Steps group, click the More  arrow at the side of the Quick Steps box, and then click Manage Quick Steps.
2. In the Quick Step box, click the Quick Step that you want to change, and then click Modify.
3. Under Actions, change or add the actions that you want this Quick Step to do.
4. If you want, in the Shortcut key box, click a keyboard shortcut that you want to assign to that Quick Step.
5. If you want to change the icon for a Quick Step, click an icon next to the Name box, click an icon, and then click OK.
   
   
   To create a Quick Step:
6. In Mail, on the Home tab, in the Quick Steps group, in the Quick Steps gallery, click the Create NewQuick Step.
7. Click an action type from the list or click Custom.
8. In the Name box, type a name for the new Quick Step.
9. Click the icon button next to the Name box, click an icon, and then click OK.
10. Under Actions, choose an action that you want the Quick Step to do. Click Add Action for any additional actions.
11. To create a keyboard shortcut, in the Shortcut key box, click the keyboard shortcut that you want to assign.