You are writing an Outlook email and the emoji button is not where you expected it to be. The right path depends on the version in front of you: Windows, Mac, web, Outlook.com, iPhone, iPad, or Android. Start with the built-in picker for your device, then use AutoCorrect, voice input, or an add-in only when that fits the way you write.
Choose the right Outlook emoji tool
In Outlook for Windows, place the cursor in the email body and use Windows key + . to open the Windows emoji panel. The same picker also opens with Windows key + ; while you are typing in a text field.
On a Mac, Outlook uses macOS emoji tools. Click in the message body, then choose Edit and Emoji & Symbols, or press Fn/Globe-E.
In Outlook on the web, use the compose toolbar at the bottom of the message and select Insert emojis and GIFs. In Outlook.com ribbon layouts, use Insert, Graphics, and Emoji.
On iPhone, iPad, and Android, Outlook uses the emoji panel from the active keyboard, such as the iOS keyboard, iPadOS keyboard, Gboard, or Microsoft SwiftKey.
Insert emoji in Outlook for Windows
This fixes the common Windows case: you are composing or replying in Outlook and want an emoji in the message body.
Create a new email or reply to an existing message in Outlook.
Click inside the message body where the emoji should appear.
Press Windows key + . to open the Windows emoji panel.
Select the emoji you want.
Select × to close the picker.
Use Windows key + ; instead when that shortcut is easier to reach.
Use emoji in Outlook on the web
Create a new email or reply in Outlook on the web.
Click inside the message body.
Select the Insert emojis and GIFs icon at the bottom of the message.
Scroll to Popular emojis.
Choose the emoji you want to insert.
If you are using an Outlook.com ribbon layout, select Insert, open Graphics, choose Emoji, and pick the emoji from there.
If the toolbar option is not visible, use your device picker instead: Windows key + . on Windows or Fn/Globe-E on Mac.
Add emoji in Outlook for Mac
Outlook for Mac inserts emoji through the macOS emoji and symbols picker. Click where the emoji should go in the body of the email, then choose Edit and Emoji & Symbols.
You can also press Fn/Globe-E. Click an emoji in the compact picker, or double-click it in the expanded Character Viewer.
For search, type a phrase such as laughing face in the Character Viewer and choose the matching emoji. macOS also replaces words such as heart or thumbs up after you type the phrase, press Fn/Globe-E, and press Return.
If Fn/Globe-E does not open emoji, go to Apple menu, System Settings, and Keyboard in the sidebar, then set the Press fn key to or Press Globe key to pop-up menu to Show Emoji & Symbols.
Add emoji in Outlook on iPhone or iPad
This fixes Outlook mobile on iPhone or iPad when the emoji keyboard is missing from the message field.
Open Outlook and tap inside the email text field.
Tap the Emoji button or the globe key.
Use the category icons, swipe through the emoji pages, or tap Search Emoji.
Tap an emoji to insert it into the email.
Tap ABC to return to letters.
If the emoji keyboard is missing, open Settings, tap General, tap Keyboard, tap Keyboards, tap Add New Keyboard, and tap Emoji.
Use Gboard or SwiftKey on Android
In Outlook for Android, emoji come from the keyboard that is active in the email text field. With Gboard active, tap the Outlook message body, open the emoji area, tap one or more emoji, then tap ABC to return to letters.
With Microsoft SwiftKey active, tap the Outlook message body, long-press the enter or return key, or tap the dedicated emoji key in the bottom left. Tap the emoji you want, then tap abc to return to the standard keyboard.
SwiftKey search is built into the emoji panel. On Android, tap the Quick Emoji key next to 123, type in Search emojis, and tap a result; on iOS, tap the Quick Emoji key next to the spacebar and use Search emoji.
If the dedicated emoji key is missing in SwiftKey for Android, open the Microsoft SwiftKey app, tap Emoji, and turn on Dedicated emoji key. If that control is not available, long-press Enter to open emoji.
Convert typed emoticons into emoji
Click in the Outlook message body.
Type a supported shortcut such as :) or :-) for a smiley.
Use :| or :-| for a neutral face.
Use :( or :-( for a sad face.
Use :D or :-D, or use :p or :-p, when you want those supported Outlook AutoCorrect conversions.
If the shortcut does not convert in classic Outlook for Windows, open File, Options, Mail, Editor Options, Proofing, and AutoCorrect Options.
Select Replace text as you type.
In new Outlook for Windows and Outlook on the web, select Editor and Editor Settings instead. AutoCorrect there is currently available only for English languages.
To undo one automatic conversion while typing, press Ctrl+Z.
To stop one shortcut from changing again, open AutoCorrect Options, type the punctuation shortcut in Replace, highlight the entry, and choose Delete.
Use the Windows or Mac emoji picker when AutoCorrect changes the wrong shortcut.
Add emoji with voice input
Voice tools work best when you are already using dictation or accessibility controls to write the message.
- 1.On iPhone or iPad, tap the Outlook email text field, tap the Dictate button on the onscreen keyboard, then say heart emoji or smiley face emoji.
- 2.On Android with Gboard, tap the Outlook email text field, tap Microphone, start speaking, then say the emoji name or tap Emoji in the toolbar and choose one.
- 3.On Windows with Voice Access, place the cursor in Outlook, say Show keyboard, say the number for the emoji button, then say the number for the emoji you want.
- 4.In new Outlook, classic Outlook for Windows, or Outlook for Mac, select the message body, go to Message, select Dictate, and speak your email text on a signed-in Microsoft 365 account with a working microphone.
Handle add-ins and work accounts
Use this method when you want extra emoji options in classic Outlook for Windows or a work account changes the add-in controls you see. Add-ins are separate from the built-in emoji picker, so the Windows, Mac, web, and mobile methods above still apply.
In classic Outlook for Windows, select Home and All Apps; on the Simplified Ribbon, select the ellipsis ... and then All Apps. Choose Add Apps or Get Add-ins as offered, search for Emoji, choose an add-in, select Add, and follow that add-in's instructions. Builds earlier than Outlook for Windows Version 2303 (Build 16215.10000) show Get Add-ins on the ribbon instead of All Apps.
On a managed Microsoft 365 account, the organization can deploy, remove, or limit Outlook add-ins. If All Apps is missing, look for Get Add-ins on an earlier build or behind the ellipsis ... on the Simplified Ribbon. If neither one appears, add-ins may be blocked, so use the built-in emoji picker for your device or ask your workplace support contact whether Outlook add-ins are allowed.
Skip older advice that uses Wingdings smileys or Alt-code smiley entry as the main Outlook emoji method. Current Microsoft options for Outlook emoji are the Windows emoji panel, AutoCorrect conversions, compose toolbar emoji controls, Mac emoji tools, mobile keyboards, voice tools, and add-ins.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to insert emoji in Outlook on Windows?
Click in the email body and press Windows key + . to open the emoji panel. Windows key + ; opens the same picker.
Why do smileys turn into emoji in Outlook?
Outlook AutoCorrect changes supported shortcuts such as :) and :-) into emoji. In classic Outlook for Windows, manage it from File > Options > Mail > Editor Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options. In new Outlook and Outlook on the web, use Editor > Editor Settings.
Where is the emoji button in Outlook on the web?
In the current compose window, select Insert emojis and GIFs at the bottom of the message. In some Outlook.com ribbon layouts, use Insert > Graphics > Emoji.
Can Outlook mobile insert emoji by voice?
Yes. On iPhone or iPad, use the keyboard Dictate button and say an emoji name. On Android with Gboard, use Microphone and say the emoji name or pick Emoji from the toolbar.
Why is Get Add-ins missing in Outlook?
In classic Outlook for Windows Version 2303 (Build 16215.10000) and later, All Apps replaces Get Add-ins on the ribbon, so check Home > All Apps first. Work and school Microsoft 365 accounts can also restrict add-ins. Use the built-in emoji picker for your device, or ask your workplace support contact whether Outlook add-ins are allowed.