Tip 992: Using Time Shortcuts in Appointments

The answer to this question is one of my all time favorite Outlook features: date and time shortcuts.

I use Outlook's Calendar for time tracking. Is there a way to automatically insert a start time and end time by clicking on a button? It's very laborious to have to manually enter the start and end time. I'm aware that I could use Journal, but Journal is worthless for other reasons. I don't want to add some cumbersome add-on when all I want to do is auto-fill start (when I start) and end (when I end) with the current time.

Is now simple enough? Type it into the time field and when you tab out, Outlook converts it to the current time. It really doesn't get any easier than that.

When you need a past time, just type the numbers: 205 will convert to 2:05 PM when you tab out. You'll need to use an a or p to if you work really early in the morning or late into the evening.

Although the date field has the correct date for this scenario, you can use shortcuts there too. Use 4d to count ahead 4 days or 2w to jump ahead 2 weeks.

Published June 4, 2012. Last updated on June 3, 2012.

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