Search

If you have a lot of items in Outlook and want to find something specific, you can search for it. Search works the same everywhere in Outlook: Mail, Calendar, People, Tasks, or Notes.

Search Items

The Search field can be found at the top of the Inbox.

1. Click in the Search field.
2. Type your search term.
   

Outlook starts searching automatically and highlights your search term in the results.

To edit the search options, click the Options button on the Search tab, click Search Tools, and then select Search Options.

Refine Search Results

Once you start searching, notice that the Search tab on the ribbon appears. This gives you options to adjust the search.

1. Click in the Search field.
2. Type your search term.
   
3. Select a search scope in the Scope group on the Search tab.
   • Current Folder: Restricts the search to the currently selected folder.
   • Subfolders: Searches the selected folder as well as any of its subfolders.
   • All Outlook Items: Searches all Outlook Items, including Mail, Calendar, Contacts, and Tasks.
4. Click a button in the Refine group on the Search tab.
   

   The options available here depend on which view you are in. Usually you will be able to sort by Subject, Category, Attachments, or Status.

You may need to select additional information or text depending on how you refine your search.