Outlook- searching using Subject "Text"

Question

In the new outlook it does not look like you can search by Subject "text" like you used to be able. Is this true?

Answer 1

Hi @Elizabeth Cass,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A Forum.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts about the recent changes in the new Outlook. I completely understand that when you are used to a certain way of working, any redesign can feel disruptive.

The new Outlook interface was introduced as part of Microsoft’s effort to create a more unified and modern experience across all Microsoft 365 apps. This redesign focuses on consistency, improved performance, and better integration with services like Teams and OneDrive. It also brings enhancements such as faster search, simplified navigation, and a cleaner layout that aligns with accessibility standards.

Currently, the new Outlook does support searching by subject, but the way you do it has changed slightly. Instead of a dedicated “Subject” field like in Classic Outlook, the global search bar now searches across subject, body, sender, recipient, and even attachments by default. So if you type a keyword or phrase, Outlook will return emails where that text appears in the subject line as well as other fields. 

In order to search specifically for subject text:

• Enter your keyword or phrase. For exact matches, use quotation marks. For example: "Text"
• If you want to narrow results to subject only, use the Filters option (click the filter icon next to the search bar) and select Subject. This replaces the old Advanced Find feature. 

If you just type subject:"text" in the search bar, Outlook will interpret it correctly and prioritize subject matches. This syntax still works in the new Outlook.

You can learn about new search feature of outlook via this link: Mastering Search in Outlook for Windows - Office Watch

Disclaimer: This is a third-party link and is not affiliated with Microsoft. Please exercise caution and ensure you only download from trusted sources.

While these changes aim to improve usability and future-proof the app, we know that some users prefer the previous design because it feels familiar and efficient for their workflow. Your feedback is very important because it helps Microsoft understand what features matter most to you and where adjustments may be needed. If this feature is important to your workflow, I highly recommend submitting a suggestion directly from Outlook by navigating to: Outlook (new) · Community portal. This is the most effective way to ensure your voice reaches the product team and can be considered for future improvements.  

Once you've submitted your feedback, feel free to share the link here in the comments. I’ll be happy to upvote it to help bring more visibility.  

Additionally, since many other users have expressed similar concerns but may not know where to submit feedback, if my response has helped you better understand the situation and guided you toward a possible next step, please mark it as the “Accepted Answer.” Your action will help pin this post to the top, making it easier for others in the community who are experiencing the same issue to find your feedback and support it.  

Thank you again for your time and for raising this important usability concern. 

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Answer 2

In the new Outlook for Windows, the ability to search by subject is still supported, but the interface and functionality may have changed compared to previous versions. Users can still find text when reading emails, which is similar to the search functionality available in older versions. However, specific details about searching by subject text may not be explicitly mentioned in the provided context.

If you're experiencing difficulties with the search functionality, it might be due to changes in the user interface or search algorithms. It's recommended to explore the search options available in the new Outlook to see how they differ from previous versions.

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References:

• Release notes for Outlook for Windows (new) Targeted Release