How to Use Categories in Outlook?

Are you looking for an easy way to manage your emails in Outlook? Have you ever thought about using categories to keep your inbox organized? Categories can be an incredibly useful tool for streamlining your Outlook experience and helping you stay on top of your emails. In this article, we’ll discuss how to use categories in Outlook, from creating categories to assigning them to emails. Read on to learn more about this helpful Outlook feature!

What is Outlook Categories?

Outlook Categories are a powerful tool that helps you organize your emails, calendar events, and contacts in a more efficient manner. Categories are particularly useful if you have a large volume of emails and need to be able to quickly search and sort them. Categories allow you to assign items to a specific group, and then quickly search and filter items by that group. For example, you can assign all emails related to a certain project to a category, then quickly search and find all emails related to that project.

Categories are also a great way to organize your calendar events and contacts. You can assign calendar events to a particular category, and then quickly search and filter by that category. For example, if you have a large volume of meetings, you can assign them all to a particular category and quickly search and filter by that category. The same goes for contacts; you can assign contacts to a particular category and quickly search and filter by that category.

How to Create Categories in Outlook?

Creating Categories in Outlook is a relatively straightforward process. First, open Outlook, then select the “Home” tab. Under the “Tags” section, select “Categorize”. This will open a drop-down menu with a list of existing categories. To create a new category, select “All Categories” from the drop-down menu, and then select “New Category” from the sub-menu.

Next, enter a name for your new category and select a color for the category. You can also assign a shortcut key to the category. For example, if you assign the shortcut key “Ctrl+Alt+1” to a category, you can quickly assign items to that category by pressing the shortcut key.

Finally, select “OK” to save your new category. Your new category will now appear in the “Categorize” drop-down menu, and you can assign items to it using the shortcut key or by selecting the category from the drop-down menu.

How to Assign Categories to Items in Outlook?

Once you have created your categories, it’s time to start assigning them to your items. To assign a category to an item, open the item, then select the “Categorize” button. This will open a drop-down menu with a list of existing categories. Select the category you want to assign to the item, and then select “OK” to save your changes.

The category will now be assigned to the item, and you can quickly find and filter items by that category. For example, if you assign a category to a meeting request, you can quickly search and filter your calendar by that category.

Categorizing Emails in Outlook

To assign a category to an email, open the email and select the “Categorize” button. This will open a drop-down menu with a list of existing categories. Select the category you want to assign to the email, and then select “OK” to save your changes. The category will now be assigned to the email, and you can quickly search and filter emails by that category.

Categorizing Contacts in Outlook

To assign a category to a contact, open the contact and select the “Categorize” button. This will open a drop-down menu with a list of existing categories. Select the category you want to assign to the contact, and then select “OK” to save your changes. The category will now be assigned to the contact, and you can quickly search and filter contacts by that category.

Related FAQ

What Are Categories in Outlook?

Categories in Outlook are labels used to organize emails and other items in Outlook. They are used to help users easily find related emails or items. Categories allow users to quickly search for, or filter items by using a specific label. Categories are easy to create and assign to items, and can be used in combination with other filters or search criteria.

How Do I Create a Category in Outlook?

Creating a category in Outlook is easy. From the Home tab in the Ribbon, click on the New Items drop-down and select Category. This will open the New Category window. Enter a name for your new category and click OK. Your new category will now appear in the list of available categories.

How Do I Assign a Category to an Item in Outlook?

To assign a category to an item in Outlook, first select the item or items you want to categorize. Then, click the Categorize button in the Tags group of the Home tab in the Ribbon. This will open the Categorize window. Select the category or categories you want to assign to the item or items and click OK.

How Do I Use Categories in Outlook to Filter Items?

Categories in Outlook can be used to filter items in your mailbox. To do this, open the folder you want to filter and click the Filter button at the top of the folder. This will open the Filter window. In the Filter window, select the Categories filter and select the category you want to filter by. You can also add additional search criteria to further refine your filter.

Can I Change the Color of a Category in Outlook?

Yes, you can change the color of a category in Outlook. To do this, open the Categorize window by clicking the Categorize button in the Tags group of the Home tab in the Ribbon. Select the category you want to change the color of and click the Color button. This will open the Color window, where you can select the color you want to assign to the category.

Can I Rename or Delete a Category in Outlook?

Yes, you can rename or delete a category in Outlook. To do this, open the Categorize window by clicking the Categorize button in the Tags group of the Home tab in the Ribbon. Select the category you want to rename or delete and click the Rename or Delete button. If you choose to rename the category, enter the new name in the Rename window and click OK. If you choose to delete the category, click Yes in the confirmation window.

How to Use Outlook Categories

Using categories in Outlook is a great way to keep your emails organized and make it easier to find what you’re looking for. Not only will it help you find emails faster, but it can also help you keep track of your contacts and prioritize tasks. With a few clicks, you can easily categorize emails, contacts, and tasks so that you can manage them more efficiently. So, if you want to stay organized and keep track of your emails, contacts, and tasks, using categories in Outlook is the way to go.