Applies ToOutlook for Microsoft 365 for Mac Outlook 2021 for Mac Outlook 2019 for Mac Outlook 2016 for Mac Office 2016 for Mac

When you arrange messages by conversation, messages in a folder that share the same subject appear together in the message list. The messages within each conversation are sorted with the newest message on top. When a new message is received, the entire conversation moves to the top of your message list.

Collapsed conversations appear with a side-facing arrow, and expanded conversations appear with a down-facing arrow. Select the arrows to expand or collapse conversations.

Read messages that are part of a conversation

When you expand the conversation, a list of the messages will show with one line for each message in that conversation, with each line displaying the message sender and the first few words from the message body.

If you want to read a single message from the conversation, in the message list, select the message.

Change display preferences for conversations

  1. In the Outlook menu, select Settings.

  2. Under Email, select Reading.

  3. In the Reading window, under Conversations, select the options you would like, then close the window.

Messages in the Junk E-Mail and Deleted Items folders are not included in conversations.

Turn off viewing by conversation

In the View menu, uncheck Show as Conversations.

Read messages that are part of a conversation

When you select a conversation header in the message list, the conversation index shows in the reading pane. The conversation index shows one line for each message in the conversation, with each line displaying the message sender and the first few words from the message body.

If you want to read a single message from the conversation, in the message list or the conversation index, select the message.

Change display preferences for conversations

  1. In the Outlook menu, select Settings.

  2. Under Email, select Reading.

  3. In the Reading window, under Conversations, select the options you would like, then close the window.

Messages in the Junk E-Mail and Deleted Items folders are not included in conversations.

Turn off viewing by conversation

In the Organize tab, select Conversations.

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