Create a folder or subfolder in Outlook

Folders provide a way to organize email messages, calendars, contacts, and tasks in Outlook.

Tip: Not sure which Outlook you're using? See What version of Outlook do I have?

New Outlook Classic Outlook Outlook on the web Outlook.com

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.

Create a top-level folder

In the folder pane on the left, right-click your email address, or hover over it and select More options > Create new folder.
Enter a name for the new folder, then press Enter.

Create a subfolder

Select the folder where you want to create a subfolder.
Right-click the folder, or hover over it and select More options > Create new subfolder.
Enter a name for the new folder, then press Enter.

To add a folder to the folder pane, do the following:

In the left pane of Mail, Contacts, Tasks, or Calendar, right-click where you want to add the folder, and then click New Folder.

Note: When in Calendar, the New Folder command is replaced with New Calendar.
In the Name box, enter a name for the folder, and press Enter.

Note: Outlook on the web is the web version of Outlook for business users with a work or school account.

Create a top-level folder

In the folder pane on the left, right-click on Folders, or hover over it and select More options > Create new folder.
Enter a name for the new folder, then press Enter.

Create a subfolder

Select the folder where you want to create a subfolder.
Right-click the folder, or hover over it and select More options > Create new subfolder.
Enter a name for the new folder, then press Enter.

Note: Outlook.com is the web version of Outlook for users signing in with a personal Microsoft account such as an Outlook.com or Hotmail.com account.