Outlook: Managing Focused Inbox in Outlook Desktop Application

Summary

This article details how to turn the focused inbox on or off and how to manage messages in the focused inbox in the Outlook Desktop App for both Windows and MacOS users.

For Windows

• To turn the focused inbox on or off
• To change how your messages are organized

For MacOS

• To turn the focused inbox on or off
• To change how your messages are organized

If you are using Outlook on the Web please See Outlook: Managing Focused Inbox in Outlook on the Web

How-To

Note: Focused Inbox is On by default.

Instructions

Step 1 - In Outlook, select the View tab and select Show Focused Inbox.

Note: If you don't see the button, your version of Outlook might not include this feature. You can always check for updates by selecting File > Office Account > Update Options > Update Now.

Step 2 - The Focused tab and Other tab will appear/disappear from the top of your mailbox as you select/deselect "Show Focused Inbox".

Outcome

The Focused and Other tabs will appear/disappear at the top of your mailbox. 

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Instructions

Focused Inbox will inform you about email flowing to Other, and you can switch between tabs any time to take a quick look.

Tip: You can set the badge count — the count of unread mail — to include only the messages in the Focused list.  To adjust this setting, go to Outlook > Preferences > Notifications and Sounds > Badge count.

Step 1 -  From your inbox, select the Focused or Other tab to view messages in that tab.

Step 2 - To move messages between tabs, right-click the message you want to move.

• If moving a single message from Focused to Other, choose Move to Other inbox. Choose Always move to Other inbox if you want all future messages from the sender to be delivered to the Other tab. 
• If moving a single message from Other to Focused, choose Move to Focused inbox. Choose Always move to Focused inbox if you want all future messages from the sender to be delivered to the Focused tab. 

Outcome

You can move messages between the tabs and control future messages by sender.

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Note: Focused Inbox is On by default.

Instructions

Step 1 - In the Organize tab, select Focused inbox.

Note: If you don't see the button, your version of Outlook might not include this feature. You can always check for updates by selecting File > Office Account > Update Options > Update Now.

Step 2 - The Focused tab and Other tab will appear/disappear from the top of your mailbox as you select/deselect "Show Focused Inbox".

Outcome

The Focused and Other tabs will appear/disappear at the top of your mailbox. 

Back to top

Instructions

Step 1 -  From your inbox, select the Focused or Other tab to view messages in that tab.

Step 2 - To move messages between tabs, select the message you want to move.  

• If moving a single message from Focused to Other, choose Message > Move to Other. Choose Message > Always Move to Other if you want all future messages from the sender to be delivered to the Other tab. 
• If moving a single message from Other to Focused, choose Message > Move to Focused. Choose Message > Always Move to Focused if you want all future messages from the sender to be delivered to the Focused tab. 

Outcome

You can move messages between the tabs and control future messages by sender.

Back to top

Further Readings

Outlook: Turn Focused Inbox On in Outlook on the Web

Microsoft Support: Focused Inbox for Outlook.

Need additional help?

For additional Training please visit the Teaching & Learning Technologies Training site. 

To submit a support request, please fill out the Microsoft 365 Support webform with as much detail as possible, or contact the Technology Help Desk team on your local campus. For password issues you must call or visit the Help Desk in person.