New Outlook Feature

Question

Will the new Outlook add the 'Collapse All' feature in email? I miss that feature. Something so minor is SO significant.

Answer 1

Dear @JONES, TALYA M,

I completely understand how significant the "Collapse All" feature is for maintaining a clean and organized inbox.

Currently, the "Collapse All" functionality is not yet available in the new Outlook for Windows. While the new Outlook is built on a different architecture than the classic version, Microsoft is actively working to bring over highly requested features based on user feedback.

While we wait for a native "Collapse All" button or right-click command to be implemented, here is how you can manage your view right now:

• Individual Collapse: You can still collapse or expand individual groups (such as "Today," "Yesterday," or specific "Categories") by clicking the chevron (v) icon next to the group header.
• Keyboard Shortcuts: In the current build of the new Outlook, the classic Ctrl + - (minus) shortcut for collapsing all groups is not yet supported.
• Alternative Navigation: You can use the "Jump to" feature to quickly navigate to specific dates, though I recognize this does not provide the same visual decluttering as collapsing.

Microsoft tracks these requests closely. I recommend monitoring the Microsoft 365 Roadmap | Microsoft 365 for official release timelines.

Currently, the "Collapse All" functionality is not yet available in the new Outlook for Windows. The new Outlook is still evolving, and some features from the classic version are being prioritized for future updates based on community demand.

To ensure your voice is heard by the engineering team, I recommend the following steps:

• Submit Feedback: Go to the Help tab within your Outlook and select Feedback. Providing details there is the most direct way to influence the product roadmap.
• Upvote on the Feedback Portal: You can visit the Microsoft Feedback Portal to search for "Collapse All in New Outlook" and upvote existing requests. This helps the team prioritize high-demand features.

I’m sorry that I’m not able to provide any additional direct assistance in this case, as I don’t have the ability to intervene or make changes to these kinds of product limitations myself. That said, I genuinely want to express my understanding and empathy for your situation, and I do support the view that improvements in this area would meaningfully help deliver a better overall user experience. If you decide to submit feedback or create a post on the feedback portal, please feel free to share the link here. I’d be more than happy to upvote it on your behalf to help increase its visibility. 

I hope this clarifies the current situation, and I appreciate your patience as the product continues to evolve. If any official updates regarding this feature are released, I will be sure to share them with you.

Answer 2

The provided feature comparison for New Outlook does not list a “Collapse All” option for email message groups or threads, and there is no indication in this context that such a feature is planned or “Upcoming.” The document notes that not all features and capabilities are listed and that feedback should be submitted via Help > Give Feedback in New Outlook, but it does not state that “Collapse All” will be added.

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References:

• Feature comparison between new Outlook and classic Outlook