How to color code emails in Outlook without using category flags or conditional formatting?

I believe this used to be a feature available to Outlook users in an earlier version of Outlook. It's a feature that IS available in Thunderbird and I miss it terribly now that I work for a company that uses Outlook instead of Thunderbird. If you work in a job that is very task oriented, as I do, and use your e-mail to keep track of tasks that need to be completed, often that are waiting on someone else, being able to visually sort your e-mail by color so that the entire line shows up in that color is extremely helpful! The category flags only work if you have a SET time period for something. The little color coding blocks aren't easily visible enough. Conditional formatting only works for people who get e-mails from a limited set of people, or primarily get e-mails from a limited set of people. I get HUNDREDS of e-mails every day, most of which come from different sources. The inability to color code my inbox has directly contributed to a reduction in my productivity because I can't always remember why something is still in my inbox, which I then have to waste time going back over in order to determine the reason. Please please please please please give us this option!!!!!

Hi Paul,

There is not conditional formatting in view settings to color code my email. If there is, can you tell me where to find it? Or share how I can color code emails? (I.e: Emails to me, CC'd emails, etc)

I'm experiencing a similar problem. I've included a pic of the edge of an inbox in Outlook (sorry i'm not allowed to share anything beyond that with words), but its a setting that color codes these messages. I'm showing the messages that were color coded and those that don't belong to the user without the color. I color coded a user to find their messages, probably back in 2004 and now when I go back and look for that setting, its no where to be found, but it works.

Dear SeekingColorCode,

Good day! Thank you for posting to Microsoft Community. We are happy to help you.

Based on your description, I understand that you have a query "How to color code emails in Outlook without using category flags or conditional formatting?"

After thorough research and consulting, it has been determined that there is currently no there is no built-in feature in Outlook email (Office 365) to color code the entire message line of an email without using category flags or conditional formatting. The only way to achieve this may be by using third-party add-ins or plugins. However, I suggest you try using the built-in category flags or conditional formatting options in Outlook to color code your emails. These options are designed to help you organize and prioritize your emails, and they can be very effective in increasing your productivity.

We apologize if we are not able to meet your requirements; however, thank you for bringing this to our attention, we will surely raise your concerns to our Product Team and hopefully this can be considered in the future updates.

Moreover, I would like to invite community members and MVPs in the forum to share their knowledge or any third-party add-ins or plugins that may help to achieve your requirement. In the meantime, you may create an entry as a feature suggestion in the Feedback Portal at Outlook · Community (microsoft.com), Other users may vote it and make it more visible to the service team so that it may be considered for future upgrades.

For other concerns, please do not hesitate to add you post in the Microsoft Community Team.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Sincerely,

De Paul | Microsoft Community Moderator