Create and assign color categories in Outlook

In new Outlook, you have the following options:

Assign a color category  |  Manage categories  |  Create a color category

Assign a color category to an email message in new Outlook

1. To assign a color category to a message from the message list, right click the message.

2. Select Categorize, then select a category from the list. If you want to assign a second or third color category, you can perform this action multiple times.

3. To assign a color category from the reading pane or an open message, select Categorize on the ribbon and then select a category from the list.

Manage categories in new Outlook

The default color categories have generic names, such as Red Category and Blue Category. To easily identify and organize your categorized items, you can rename the color categories by using names that are meaningful to you.

1. Select Settings  > Accounts > Categories.

2. In the Categories pane, select Edit  next to the category you want to rename.

3. Rename the category or select a different color, then select Save.

Create a new color category in new Outlook

1. On the ribbon, select Categorize, then New category.

2. Name your category, select a color, then select Save.

   

3. Your new category will be listed in Categorize.

Assign a color category to an email message in classic Outlook

1. To assign a color category to a message from the message list, right-click the message.

2. Select Categorize, then select a category from the list. If you want to assign a second or third color category, you can perform this action multiple times.

To assign a color category from the reading pane or an open message, select Tags, then Categorize on the ribbon and then select a category from the list.

Rename a color category in classic Outlook

The default color categories have generic names, such as Red Category and Blue Category. To easily identify and organize your categorized items, you can rename the color categories by using names that are meaningful to you.

1. On the toolbar, select Categorize .

2. Select All Categories.

   

3. In the Name list, select the name of a color category, and then select Rename.

4. In the Name list, type the new name for the color category.

   To automatically assign the color category that you are renaming to items that are selected in the main Outlook window, select the check box next to the color category in the Name list, and then select OK.

Create a color category in classic Outlook

1. In any message folder, in the Tags group on the Ribbon, select Categorize, then All Categories.

   

   Note: For calendar items, the Tags group appears on the Appointment or Meeting tab. For an open contact or task, the Tags group appears on the Home tab.

2. In the Color Categories dialog box, select New.

3. Type a name for the category and select a color and optionally, a shortcut key. Then select OK.

   

Set a Quick Click category and assign it to messages in classic Outlook

A Quick Click category is a default category that you can set in certain table views. For example, if you turn off the reading pane or move the reading pane under your message list, you'll see additional columns in your Inbox, including Received, Category, and Mention. To assign a Quick Click category in one of these views, you can click in the category column to set a category.

1. On the ribbon, in the Tags group, select Categorize > Set Quick Click.

2. Use the drop-down to select a color category, then select OK.

Assign a shortcut key to a category in classic Outlook

By associating a keyboard shortcut key with a category, you can quickly assign the category to an item, such as an e-mail message, by selecting the item in your Inbox or another category view and then pressing the shortcut key. You can also use the shortcut key to assign a color category to multiple items at the same time.

1. On the toolbar of the main Outlook window, select Categorize .

2. At the bottom of the menu, select All Categories.

3. In the Name list, select the check box for a color category.

4. In the Shortcut Key list, choose a keyboard shortcut.

Assign a color category to an email message in Outlook on the web or Outlook.com

1. To assign a color category to a message from the message list, right click the message.

2. Select Categorize, then select a category from the list. If you want to assign a second or third color category, you can perform this action multiple times.

3. To assign a color category from the reading pane or an open message, select Categorize on the ribbon and then select a category from the list.

Manage categories in Outlook on the web or Outlook.com

The default color categories have generic names, such as Red Category and Blue Category. To easily identify and organize your categorized items, you can rename the color categories by using names that are meaningful to you.

1. Select Settings  > Accounts > Categories.

2. In the Categories pane, select Edit  next to the category you want to rename.

3. Rename the category or select a different color, then select Save.

Create a color category in Outlook on the web or Outlook.com

1. On the ribbon, select Categorize, then New category.

2. Name your category, then select Save.

3. Your new category will be listed in Categorize.