How to Create Folders in Microsoft Outlook

A great way to keep email organized

Custom folders and subfolders in Microsoft Outlook allow you to categorize emails, declutter your inbox, and prioritize important messages. This tutorial will guide you through the process of creating and managing folders in Outlook for both desktop and mobile devices.

Create Folders in Outlook for Windows and macOS

With the Microsoft Outlook app for Windows and macOS, you can easily add custom folders and subfolders to your email accounts and move messages into them manually or with automated rules.

To create a custom folder in Microsoft Outlook:

To create a sub-folder in Microsoft Outlook:

Note: You can create multiple subfolders inside a parent folder.

You can move an email to a custom folder in Outlook via drag-and-drop; just click and drag the message and release it over the folder on the sidebar. Hold down theCtrl/Cmdkey to highlight multiple emails and move them all simultaneously.

Alternatively, you can:

Note: Use theCopy to folderoption within the Move sub-menu to copy the email or emails to the folder instead of moving them from the original location.

You can set up rules in Outlook that will automatically move emails to custom folders. For example, if you want to move all incoming emails from a specific sender to a custom folder:

To create and experiment with different Outlook rules and functions, select theHometab and chooseMore>Rules>Manage Rules & Alerts. In Outlook for Mac, selectTools>Ruleson the menu bar. Learn more aboutsetting up and using rules in Outlook.

Custom folders in Microsoft Outlook appear alongside the default folders on the app’s sidebar, and there are several ways to manage them.

Create Folders in the Outlook Web App

Creating folders on the web version of Outlook is similar to that on the dedicated desktop program but with a few differences in the user interface.

To create a folder in Outlook.com:

To create a subfolder in Outlook.com:

You can move items from your Inbox to a custom folder using drag and drop. Or, right-click the message and select the folder on theMovesub-menu.

You can also select and move multiple items. Hold theCtrl/Cmdkey and select an email to enter selection mode. Then, check the message you want and drag and drop them or use theMovecontextual menu option.

Outlook.com lets you create rules that can move new messages from a contact to a custom folder or subfolder. To create a rule:

To create additional rules and view advanced options, select theGearicon on the top-right corner of the screen and go toView all Outlook settings>Mail>Rules.

Outlook.com provides several folder management and customization options similar to its desktop counterpart.

Create Folders in Outlook for Android and iOS

Creating new folders for email accounts inMicrosoft Outlook for iPhone and Androidcan be slightly confusing as the app does not offer a straightforward method. Instead, you must:

Going forward, you can move items to the custom folder as follows:

To create subfolders, you must use Outlook.com, as the mobile app lacks this feature. The same applies to automated rules; create them in the web interface, and they should work on your mobile.

Outlook for Android and iOS doesn’t feature folder management options except for allowing you to mark folders as favorites. To do that, open the Outlook menu, tap theEditicon, and tap theStarsymbol next to the folder.

Customize Your Microsoft Outlook Experience

Using custom Outlook folders can go a long way toward effective email management on your desktop and mobile devices. You can conveniently categorize, prioritize, and declutter your inbox, making it easier to focus on the messages that matter. Remember to use automated rules for even better email organization.

Dilum Senevirathne is a freelance tech writer and blogger with three years of experience writing for online technology publications. He specializes in topics related to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Google web apps. When he isn’t hammering away at his Magic Keyboard, you can catch him binge-watching productivity hacks on YouTube.Read Dilum’s Full Bio

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How to Create Folders in Microsoft Outlook#

Create Folders in Outlook for Windows and macOS#

Create Folders in the Outlook Web App#

Create Folders in Outlook for Android and iOS#

Customize Your Microsoft Outlook Experience#

How to Create Folders in Microsoft Outlook

Create Folders in Outlook for Windows and macOS

Create Folders in the Outlook Web App

Create Folders in Outlook for Android and iOS

Customize Your Microsoft Outlook Experience