If you have a lot of contacts, the list can get a bit overwhelming. Changing how your contacts are sorted, setting up favorites, and creating contact lists can help you find who you need.
Important: Steps may be different between new and classic Outlook for Windows. To determine which version of Outlook you're using, look for File on the ribbon. If there's no File option, follow the steps under the New Outlook tab. If the File option appears, select the tab for Classic Outlook.
In Outlook, you have the option to:
Note: If the steps under this New Outlook tab don't work, you may not be using new Outlook for Windows yet. Select Classic Outlook and follow those steps instead.
Sort contacts
You can sort your contacts by the first or last name, company, home city, work city, or recently added.
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On the side panel, select
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With All contacts selected, click By first name and select the Sort by option you would like.
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Your list will update immediately. You can change the sort by option at any time.
Add a contact to favorites
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On the side panel, select
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From your contact list, select the contact you would like to add to your Favorites.
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You can either right-click and select Add to favorites or select Add to favorites from the Ribbon. You can remove them from favorites at any time.
Categorize your contacts
You can categorize your contacts by color to make it easier to find people.
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On the side panel, select
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Select the contact you would like to add to a new or existing category.
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Select
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Select either New category or an existing category to add the contact to.
Add people in your organization to saved contacts
If your company has a directory set up, you'll be able to see information about your colleagues without saving them as contacts. You can search for them or select their name or picture from an email message. Their profile card will show information collected from other systems (directory). If you want to add other information, such as notes, you can save your colleagues to your own contacts. The new contact is auto-linked to the existing directory contact. Only you will see the information you add.
In Outlook, you have the option to:
Sort contacts
You can sort your contacts by the first or last name, company, home city, and more.
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On the side pane, select
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Select the View tab from the ribbon, then select View Settings.
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Select the Sort button, then you can choose from the Sort items by drop down to select how you want your contacts to be sorted.
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When you're finished, select OK, and OK again.
Add a contact to favorites
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On the side pane, select
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From your contact list, select the contact you would like to add to your Favorites.
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You can either right-click and select Add to favorites or select
Categorize your contacts
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On the side pane, select
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Right-click the contact you want and hover over Categorize.
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You can select a color or select All Categories. You'll also have the option to change the name of the category.
In Outlook, you have the option to:
Sort contacts
You can sort your contacts by the first or last name, company, home city, work city, or recently added.
-
On the side panel, select
-
With All contacts selected, click By first name and select the Sort by option you would like.
-
Your list will update immediately. You can change the Sort by option at any time.
Add a contact to favorites
-
On the side panel, select
-
From your contact list, select the contact you would like to add to your Favorites.
-
You can either right-click and select Add to favorites or select Add to favorites from the Ribbon. You can remove them from favorites at any time.
Categorize your contacts
You can categorize your contacts by color to make it easier to find people.
-
On the side panel, select
-
Select the contact you would like to add to a new or existing category.
-
Select
-
Select either New category or an existing category to add the contact to.
In Outlook, you have the option to:
Sort contacts
You can sort your contacts by the first or last name, company, home city, work city, or recently added.
-
On the side panel, select
-
With All contacts selected, click By first name and select the Sort by option you would like.
-
Your list will update immediately. You can change the Sort by option at any time.
Add a contact to favorites
-
On the side panel, select
-
From your contact list, select the contact you would like to add to your Favorites.
-
You can either right-click and select Add to favorites or select Add to favorites from the Ribbon. You can remove them from favorites at any time.
Categorize your contacts
You can categorize your contacts by color to make it easier to find people.
-
On the side panel, select
-
Select the contact you would like to add to a new or existing category.
-
Select
-
Select either New category or an existing category to add the contact to.
