To change your Outlook inbox layout, open Settings > Mail > Layout in new Outlook for Windows or Outlook on the web, or select View > Change View in classic Outlook. Start with the reading pane and message list, then adjust spacing, conversation grouping, and folders.
The short version
- New Outlook and web: Open Settings > Mail > Layout to change the reading pane and message list format.
- Classic Outlook: Select View > Change View to choose Compact, Single, or Preview.
- Mac: Select View > Reading Pane to place messages on the right or below the list.
- Mobile: Open Inbox > Settings > Mail to adjust Focused Inbox and conversation settings.
| What to change | Outlook version | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| Reading pane and message list format | New Outlook for Windows, Outlook.com, and web | Settings > Mail > Layout |
| Inbox view preset | Classic Outlook for Microsoft 365 and Outlook 2024 | View > Change View |
| Message list density | Outlook.com and web | View > Density |
| Message list text size | New Outlook for Windows | View > View settings > Mail > Layout |
| Conversation grouping | New Outlook for Windows, Outlook.com, and web | Settings > Mail |
| Folder order | New Outlook for Windows, Outlook.com, and web | Mail > View > Folder pane |
| Layout in additional folders | Classic Outlook for Microsoft 365 and Outlook 2024 | View > Change View > Apply Current View to Other Mail Folders |
| Reading pane placement | Current Outlook for Mac | View > Reading Pane |
| Inbox tabs and conversations | Outlook for iOS and Android | Inbox > Settings > Mail |
Position the reading pane in new Outlook and web
In new Outlook for Windows, Outlook.com, or Outlook on the web, open Settings > Mail > Layout. Under Reading pane, choose Right, Bottom, Fill screen, or Popout only.
New Outlook for Windows also gives you a ribbon route through View > Layout > Reading Pane. Choose Show on the right, Show on the bottom, Fill screen, or Popout only there.
You can also control what appears after you move or delete an open message in new Outlook for Windows. Open Settings > Mail > Layout > Reading pane, then choose Open the next item, Open the previous item, or Return to the message list.
Choose an inbox view in classic Outlook
In classic Outlook for Microsoft 365 or Outlook 2024, open Inbox, then select View > Change View. Choose Compact, Single, or Preview. Choose Single or Preview when you want a message list with columns.
Set the reading pane separately through View > Layout > Reading Pane. Select Right or Bottom for its position, or choose Off to hide it.
To customize the columns, first switch to Single or Preview, then open View > View Settings > Columns. Select a field under Available columns and choose Add. For a custom field, choose New Column. Select OK when finished.
Adjust text size spacing and previews
On Outlook.com or Outlook on the web, select View > Density, then choose Roomy, Cozy, or Compact. In new Outlook for Windows, select View > View settings > Mail > Layout. Under Text size and spacing, choose Small, Medium, or Large, then select Save.
To put the subject before the sender in new Outlook for Windows, Outlook.com, or Outlook on the web, open Settings > Mail > Layout > Message list format. Choose Subject first or Sender name first. In new Outlook for Windows, you can also select View, open Message preview in the Messages group, and choose Show preview text or Hide preview text.
Classic Outlook for Microsoft 365 has a spacing control under View > Use Tighter Spacing; on the classic ribbon, it sits in the Layout group. In classic Outlook for Microsoft 365 and Outlook 2024, select View > Message Preview to choose a preview of one to three lines.
For inbox fonts in classic Outlook for Microsoft 365 or Outlook 2024, open View > View Settings > Other Settings. Choose Column Font or Row Font, configure the font, and select OK. To change only the preview text font, choose Font under Message Preview.
Choose inbox tabs conversations and sorting
To change the Focused and Other tabs in new Outlook for Windows, select View > View Settings > Mail > Message List, then choose your account. On Outlook.com or Outlook on the web, open Settings > Mail > Message List. Check or uncheck Sort messages into Focused and Other, then select Save. This feature depends on account support and is not available for shared mailboxes.
If your web interface places Focused Inbox under Settings > Mail > Layout, select Don't sort my messages to turn it off. In classic Outlook for Microsoft 365 or Outlook 2024 with a supported Microsoft 365, Exchange, or Outlook.com account, select View > Show Focused Inbox to toggle it.
Conversation grouping has a separate control in new Outlook for Windows, Outlook.com, and Outlook on the web. Open Settings > Mail and find the Message organization section, then choose Group messages by conversation, Group messages by branches within conversations, or Do not group messages.
In classic Outlook for Microsoft 365 and Outlook 2024, open View and select Show as Conversations, then choose All mailboxes or This folder. To change sorting in new Outlook for Windows, classic Outlook for Microsoft 365, Outlook.com, or Outlook on the web, select Filter above the message list. Choose an available sorting or filtering option, such as sorting by date, sender, or subject.
Arrange the folder pane and Favorites
To show the folder list in new Outlook for Windows, select View > Folder pane > Folder list > Show. In classic Outlook for Microsoft 365 or Outlook 2024, select View > Layout > Folder Pane, then choose Normal, Minimized, or Off.
To add folder shortcuts in new Outlook for Windows, classic Outlook for Microsoft 365, or Outlook 2024, right-click a folder and select Add to Favorites. Drag the shortcuts within Favorites to change their order. In new Outlook for Windows, right-click Favorites and select Pin favorites to keep it visible.
For custom folder order in new Outlook for Windows, Outlook.com, or Outlook on the web, select Mail > View > Folder pane > Sort folders > Custom folder order. Drag folders into position, or right-click a folder and select Move up or Move down. You cannot reposition search folders, folders under Shared with me, or in-place archive folders.
To arrange folders alphabetically in new Outlook for Windows, Outlook.com, or Outlook on the web, select View > Folder pane > Sort folders > Order folders A to Z. In classic Outlook for Microsoft 365 and Outlook 2024, drag folders within the folder pane to rearrange them. For alphabetical order in those classic versions, select Folder > Clean Up > Show All Folders A to Z.
Reuse a classic Outlook layout in other folders
Once you have a layout you like in classic Outlook for Microsoft 365 or Outlook 2024, select View > Change View > Apply Current View to Other Mail Folders. Select the destination folders, then select OK.
For a named custom view in those classic versions, select View > Current View > Change View > Manage Views > New. Name the view, choose its type and availability, and select OK. Configure Advanced View Settings, select OK, then select Apply View.
Change the layout on Mac
In current Outlook for Mac, including Microsoft 365 and Outlook 2024 for Mac, select View > Reading Pane and choose Right or Below. You can also press Command + Backslash to hide the reading pane or show it on the right. Press Shift + Command + Backslash to hide it or show it below.
In Outlook for Microsoft 365 for Mac, drag the dividers between the folder, message, and reading panes to change their widths. To change the preview font in current Outlook for Mac, select Outlook > Settings > Reading, then choose a font under Preview font for message.
For inbox tabs in current Outlook for Mac, open View and choose Turn on Focused Inbox or Turn off Focused Inbox. To display messages without conversation grouping, open View and uncheck Show as Conversations. Additional conversation preferences are under Outlook > Settings > Email > Reading > Conversations.
Adjust your inbox on iPhone and Android
In Outlook for iOS or Android, tap Inbox to open the side panel, then tap Settings > Mail. Turn Focused Inbox on or off to change the inbox tabs.
On iOS, open Email Organization from those mail settings and toggle Group Emails by Conversation. Under Arrange The Reading Pane, choose Newest on Top or Newest on bottom. On Android, use the Threading options in mail settings to adjust conversation organization, including Newest on bottom.
To narrow the message list, tap Filter on iOS or Filters on Android and choose Unread, Flagged, or Attachments. On iOS, you can also open the top-left inbox menu, tap Edit beside Favorites, and tap the star beside a folder. To reorder those favorites, tap Edit, drag the items, and tap the checkmark.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you change Outlook's background or color theme?
On Outlook.com or Outlook on the web, open Settings > General > Appearance and choose a theme or appearance mode. In classic Outlook for Microsoft 365 or Outlook 2024, select File > Office Account > Office Theme, then choose Dark Gray, White, Colorful, or Use system setting.
Can you enlarge an email without changing the inbox layout?
Yes, in new Outlook for Windows, select a message, open View > Zoom, and use +, -, or Reset. In classic Outlook for Microsoft 365 or Outlook 2024, click inside the reading pane and hold Ctrl while rolling the mouse wheel.
How do you collapse the ribbon in classic Outlook?
In classic Outlook for Microsoft 365 or Outlook 2024, press Ctrl + F1, double-click a ribbon tab, or right-click a tab and select Collapse the ribbon. Repeat the action to expand it.
Can you display your calendar or tasks beside your inbox?
In new Outlook for Windows, Outlook.com, or Outlook on the web, select My Day at the top of Outlook, then choose Calendar or To Do. Within Calendar, select Switch views to change between agenda and day views or select additional calendars.