How do I save a folder or subfolder specific search? How do I advanced search a specific folder?

Question

You can Search In Current Folder or Subfolders and you can save that search, but as the name of the folder or subfolder aren't specified, Saved Searches are significantly less useful if you can't limit the scope of the search to a specific folder.

Advanced Search isn't very 'advanced' if there's no parameter to specify the folder or subfolder.

As a result, if I want to see all unread messages in Inbox while using Focused Inbox, I have to disable focused inbox, and then Filter by unread. This is not intuitive, and is far less productive than have a Saved Search that includes the ability to select the folder.

Search options available for Outlook for Mac (current version) is very limited compared to "Outlook for Microsoft 365 Outlook 2021 Outlook 2019 Outlook 2016 Outlook 2013 Outlook 2010 Outlook 2007" which also doesn't have the ability to limit search to specific folders.

AFAICT, it looks like my saved 'advanced search' capabilities are limited to

• received
• hasattachment
• isread
• isflagged
• category
• importance
• size

far from what I would consider advanced.

Am I missing something? Is there a way to specify the folder using some hidden property:value pair?

Answer 1

Thanks for the suggestions.

I found a feedback/suggestion that appears to be close enough and added additional detail via a comment.

Search folders is imperative

Anyone else looking for Folder Support in Outlook search, please click the above link, vote and add any comments on how this enhancement would help you work more efficiently.

Answer 2

Dear Joe Chapman

Good morning! Thank you for publishing in Microsoft Community. We are happy to help you!

Based on your description, I have a general understanding of your problem, and also done some research and testing, about the search function in Outlook for Mac, please kindly refer to the following official document for more details, thank you.

• Find items by doing a basic search in Outlook for Mac - Microsoft Support
• Search in the new Outlook for Mac - Microsoft Support

In the meantime, regarding what you said, it is true, because Outlook for Windows and Outlook for Mav belong to two systems, and their functions cannot be synchronized, so if you think there are some areas that need improvement, then we are very sorry for the trouble and inconvenience caused to your work! We understand your feelings, but unfortunately, our forum does not have permission to help you change, because the feature of the product are decided by the development team and the design team of the product. And about your suggestions, I also believe that this is the voice of many users, everyone is anxiously looking forward to early improvement, in order not to waste more time and better help you, I strongly recommend that you submit your valuable suggestions to outlook feedback so that relevant technical developers and designers can see your valuable suggestions. Please believe that the relevant departments of Microsoft will strive to improve themselves after seeing your valuable suggestions, and your valuable opinions will also help more users and make the work more efficient. Thank you in advance for your contribution!

About how to give feedback to outlook, please kindly refer to How do I give feedback on Microsoft 365? - Microsoft Support

In the meantime, you can also use this link to see if the feature you want to implement is already being developed by Microsoft, please also kindly click on it to get the development progress: Microsoft 365 roadmap

Thank you in advance for your understanding! Your patience and cooperation will be greatly appreciated. I hope all the best!

Sincerely

Kerry Chen | Microsoft Community Moderator