How to Create an Outlook Quick Step

Quick steps in Outlook are very handy and let you automate common or repetitive actions. In this how to, we’re going to create a Quick Step to send a customized message to the helpdesk, but this can be used for many things, since the Quick Steps included in Outlook can be endlessly customized.

1. Open Outlook and in the Quick Steps section, click Create New.
   
   

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2. Give the Quick Step a name and then select New Message.
   
   

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3. Now click Show Options to expand the window.
   
   

    

4. Now we’re going to customize the Quick Step.
   
   

    

5. In the To… box, enter the email address for the helpdesk. This ensures your request will always go to the right address.

6. In the Text field is where we can really customize to suit our needs. The text entered here will appear in every message you send using the Quick Step so think of it as a template. Since the helpdesk will always need certain information, it’s great to include it here.

   1. In the example above we included the computer name (usually found printed on a white label on the front or top of your computer.

   2. Include the best way to reach you. This way we know whether to call your directly or just email you.

   3. It’s good to include a section about what troubleshooting you’ve done. Have you restarted your computer or un-plugged and re-plugged your keyboard?

7. Click Finish after you’ve entered your text and you’ll see your newly-created Quick Step.
   
   

    

8. Click the Quick Step button and a new message will open up with the information you entered when creating the Quick Step.
   
   

   
   Since this is just an email message, you can add more information and include screenshots to provide as much relevant information as possible. Don’t forget to remove any large signatures, especially those that contain images or a lot of formatted text. Finally, click Send to send your message to the helpdesk.
   
   

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