Add Category to email inbox fields

Question

I can't figure out how to add 'Category' to my inbox field in new outlook. Help!!! I use these religiously and am finally being forced to change over.

Answer 1

Dear @MJ,

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft 365 Q&A forum. I completely understand how essential Categories are for maintaining an organized workflow, especially when you have relied on them "religiously" in the classic version of Outlook. 

The "New Outlook" experience is built on a different platform (similar to Outlook on the web), and currently, it handles columns differently than the classic desktop application. 

In the New Outlook for Windows, the traditional "Field Chooser" or "Add Columns" button that allowed you to insert a dedicated "Category" column is not currently available. The message list is now designed to be more streamlined, and categories are displayed as colored labels directly within the message row (usually next to the subject line or under the sender's name). 

While you cannot currently add a separate column header for Categories, you can still manage and view them effectively using these methods: 

Step 1: Group/Sort by Category 

To see your emails organized by their category labels: 

• At the top right of your message list, click the Filter/Sort button (it may say "By Date" by default). 
• Select Sort > Category. 
• This will group all your emails by their specific color categories so you can see them together. 

For further details on these steps, you can refer to support guide: Color categories in new Outlook: create, use, sort and filter 

Note: Microsoft is providing this information as a convenience to you. The sites are not controlled by Microsoft. Microsoft cannot make any representations regarding the quality, safety, or suitability of any software or information found there. Please make sure that you completely understand the risk before retrieving any suggestions from the above link. 

Step 2: Add Categories to "Favorites" 

Since you use categories religiously, this is the best way to access them instantly: 

• Click the Settings (gear icon) at the top right. 
• Go to Accounts > Categories. 
• Click the Star icon (Favorite) next to your most-used categories. 
• These categories will now appear in your Favorites section in the left-hand folder pane. Clicking one will instantly filter your inbox to show only those items. 

Step 3: Search by Category 

You can quickly pull up any category by clicking into the Search bar at the top and typing category: "Blue Category" (replacing "Blue Category" with your actual name). 

Official reference: Create and assign color categories in Outlook 

Currently, the New Outlook for Windows does not support adding 'Category' as a dedicated column field in the message list view. This interface is designed to be streamlined, with categories appearing as labels within the message row. Your feedback is essential for shaping future updates to the New Outlook. Please submit your request for the 'Category Column' directly to the product engineering team through these channels: 

• In-App Feedback: Click the Help tab at the top of your Outlook window and select Feedback. 
• Microsoft Feedback Portal: Visit Outlook · Community portal. 
• Upvote Similar Ideas: Search for "Category Column" and upvote existing requests to help the engineering team prioritize this feature. 

As community support, I cannot change the product design directly, but I are committed to ensuring your voice reaches the right people. We sincerely appreciate your patience as Outlook evolves. If any official workarounds or updates regarding column customization are released, we will update you immediately.

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Answer 2

To add the 'Category' field to your inbox in New Outlook, you can follow these steps:

1. Open your inbox in New Outlook.
2. Click on the up and down arrows located at the top right of your message list.
3. From the list of sorting options, select "Categories" to add it to your inbox view.

However, please note that the ability to fully customize columns, including adding or removing columns, is currently limited in New Outlook. If you require more flexibility, consider switching back to Classic Outlook, which supports full column customization.

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References:

• How can I sort my emails by size? - Microsoft Q&A
• Categorize Your Outlook Items