Placing the navigation bar at the bottom of Outlook frees up lateral space for reading. Many users find the default left-side bar takes up too much room, especially on widescreen monitors. This guide shows you exactly how to move the navigation bar in outlook to the bottom in just a few clicks.
You might be surprised how simple this change is. It doesn’t require any third-party tools or complex registry edits. Just a few settings adjustments and your Outlook layout will feel completely different.
Let’s walk through the process step by step. We’ll cover the classic Outlook desktop app, the new Outlook for Windows, and even the web version. By the end, you’ll have a cleaner, more efficient email workspace.
Why Move The Navigation Bar To The Bottom?
The default navigation bar sits on the left side of Outlook. It shows icons for Mail, Calendar, People, and Tasks. While functional, this vertical bar eats into your horizontal reading space.
Moving it to the bottom gives you more width for your inbox. This is especially helpful if you work with long email threads or need to see more columns in your folder list. It also makes the interface feel more modern and less cluttered.
Some users prefer the bottom placement because it mimics mobile email apps. Others find it easier to reach with a mouse when the bar is at the bottom of the screen. Whatever your reason, the change is easy to make.
How To Move The Navigation Bar In Outlook To The Bottom
Here’s the main method for the classic Outlook desktop app. This works for Outlook 2016, 2019, 2021, and Microsoft 365 versions. Follow these steps carefully.
Step 1: Open Outlook And Go To Options
First, launch Outlook on your computer. Click on the File tab in the top-left corner. A backstage view will open. From the left sidebar, select Options. This opens the Outlook Options window.
If you don’t see the File tab, you might be using the new Outlook. We’ll cover that version later. For now, stick with the classic interface.
Step 2: Navigate To The Advanced Section
In the Outlook Options window, look at the left-hand menu. Click on Advanced. This section contains many settings for customizing Outlook’s behavior. Scroll down until you see the Outlook panes group.
You’ll find a button labeled Navigation Options. Click it. A small dialog box will appear. This is where the magic happens.
Step 3: Change The Navigation Bar Position
In the Navigation Options dialog, look for the dropdown menu labeled Navigation bar position. By default, it’s set to Left. Click the dropdown and select Bottom.
You’ll also see options for how many navigation items to display. You can leave this as is or adjust it later. Click OK to save your changes. Then click OK again to close the Outlook Options window.
Step 4: Verify The Change
Your navigation bar should now appear at the bottom of the Outlook window. It will show small icons for Mail, Calendar, People, and Tasks. You can click any icon to switch views. The bar stays at the bottom, giving you more horizontal space.
If the change doesn’t take effect immediately, try restarting Outlook. Sometimes the interface needs a refresh. Close the program and reopen it. The navigation bar should now be at the bottom.
How To Move The Navigation Bar In The New Outlook For Windows
Microsoft has released a new version of Outlook for Windows. It has a different interface and settings layout. If you’re using this version, the process is slightly different.
Step 1: Open Outlook Settings
Launch the new Outlook. Click on the Settings gear icon in the top-right corner. A settings pane will slide out from the right side of the screen. Scroll down and click on General.
Under General, you’ll see several options. Look for Navigation or Layout. The exact name may vary depending on updates. Click on it to expand the settings.
Step 2: Change The Navigation Bar Position
In the Navigation settings, you’ll find a toggle or dropdown for the navigation bar position. Look for an option that says Move navigation bar to bottom. Toggle it on or select Bottom from the dropdown.
The change happens instantly. You don’t need to restart Outlook. The navigation bar will slide down to the bottom of the window. You can switch back to the left position anytime by toggling the setting off.
Step 3: Adjust Other Layout Options
The new Outlook offers more layout flexibility. You can also change the folder pane position, reading pane layout, and more. Experiment with these settings to find your ideal workspace.
Some users prefer the new Outlook’s bottom navigation because it feels cleaner. Others miss the classic interface. You can switch between the new and classic Outlook by toggling a setting in the top-right corner.
How To Move The Navigation Bar In Outlook Web App
If you use Outlook on the web (OWA), you can also move the navigation bar. The web version has its own settings. Here’s how to do it.
Step 1: Open Outlook Web App Settings
Go to outlook.office.com and sign in. Click on the Settings gear icon in the top-right corner. A settings pane will open. At the bottom of the pane, click View all Outlook settings.
This opens the full settings page. From the left menu, select General. Then click on Layout. You’ll see several layout options for the web app.
Step 2: Change The Navigation Bar Position
Under Layout, look for the Navigation bar section. You’ll see a dropdown menu labeled Navigation bar position. Select Bottom from the options.
The change takes effect immediately. Your navigation bar will move to the bottom of the browser window. You can also choose to show more or fewer navigation items in this section.
Step 3: Save And Refresh
After selecting Bottom, click Save at the top of the settings page. The page will refresh. Your navigation bar should now be at the bottom. If it doesn’t change, try refreshing the browser tab manually.
The web app version is great for users who switch between devices. Your settings sync across all browsers where you’re signed in. So you only need to do this once.
Benefits Of Moving The Navigation Bar To The Bottom
Now that you know how to make the change, let’s talk about why you might want to. Here are some key benefits.
- More horizontal space: Your inbox, calendar, and task lists get wider. This reduces the need for horizontal scrolling.
- Cleaner look: The bottom bar feels less intrusive. It doesn’t compete with your email content for attention.
- Better for widescreen monitors: Modern screens are wide, not tall. The bottom placement uses vertical space that’s often wasted.
- Familiarity: Many mobile apps have bottom navigation. This layout feels natural if you use your phone a lot.
- Easier mouse access: The bottom of the screen is easier to reach with a mouse, especially on large monitors.
Some users worry about losing functionality. Rest assured, all the same features are available. You just access them from the bottom instead of the left side.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes the change doesn’t work as expected. Here are common problems and solutions.
Navigation Bar Won’t Move
If the navigation bar stays on the left after you change the setting, try restarting Outlook. Close the program completely and reopen it. If that doesn’t work, check for updates. Go to File > Office Account > Update Options > Update Now.
Another possibility is that you’re using an older version of Outlook. The bottom navigation option was added in Outlook 2016. If you have Outlook 2013 or earlier, you might not see this setting. Consider upgrading to a newer version.
Navigation Bar Disappears
Sometimes the navigation bar disappears entirely after moving it. This usually happens when the bar is set to show too few items. Go back to Navigation Options and increase the number of visible items. Set it to at least 4 to see Mail, Calendar, People, and Tasks.
If the bar is still missing, check your display settings. Make sure Outlook is not in full-screen mode. Also check if you have multiple monitors. The bar might be off-screen on a secondary display.
Changes Not Saving
If your changes don’t save, you might have permission issues. This can happen on corporate computers with group policies. Contact your IT department. They may have locked certain settings.
For personal computers, try running Outlook as an administrator. Right-click the Outlook icon and select “Run as administrator.” Then make the change again. This often resolves saving issues.
Customizing The Bottom Navigation Bar
Once you’ve moved the bar to the bottom, you can customize it further. Here are some tips.
Add Or Remove Navigation Icons
Go to File > Options > Advanced > Navigation Options. In the dialog box, you can check or uncheck items to show. You can also change the order by dragging icons. The order you set here appears on the bottom bar.
Common items include Mail, Calendar, People, Tasks, Notes, and Folders. You can add custom views or shortcuts if your organization has set them up.
Change The Number Of Visible Items
In the same Navigation Options dialog, you can set how many items to show. The default is usually 4. You can increase it to 6 or 7 if you use many modules. Just be aware that more items mean smaller icons.
If you set it too high, the icons might become too small to read. Find a balance that works for your screen size and eyesight.
Use Compact Navigation Mode
Some versions of Outlook offer a compact navigation mode. This makes the icons smaller and removes text labels. It saves even more space. Look for this option in the Navigation Options dialog or under View settings.
Compact mode is great for power users who know the icons by heart. New users might prefer the standard mode with labels.
Comparing Left Vs Bottom Navigation
Let’s compare the two layouts to help you decide.
Left Navigation
- Traditional layout familiar to most users
- Good for tall, narrow screens
- Easy to see folder names and navigation labels
- Takes up horizontal space
- Can feel cluttered with many folders
Bottom Navigation
- Modern, clean look
- Frees up horizontal space for content
- Ideal for widescreen monitors
- Requires less mouse movement
- May take some time to get used to
There’s no right or wrong choice. It depends on your personal preference and workflow. Try both for a few days and see which feels more natural.
Advanced Tips For Power Users
If you’re comfortable with Outlook, here are some advanced tips.
Use Keyboard Shortcuts With Bottom Navigation
With the navigation bar at the bottom, you can still use keyboard shortcuts. Press Ctrl+1 for Mail, Ctrl+2 for Calendar, Ctrl+3 for Contacts, and Ctrl+4 for Tasks. These shortcuts work regardless of the navigation bar position.
You can also use Ctrl+Shift+1 through Ctrl+Shift+4 to create new items in each module. This makes navigation even faster.
Create Custom Navigation Shortcuts
In the Navigation Options dialog, you can add custom shortcuts. For example, you can add a shortcut to a specific folder or a saved search. This is useful for power users who access certain items frequently.
To add a custom shortcut, click “Add” in the Navigation Options dialog. Then browse to the folder or view you want. Give it a name and choose an icon. It will appear on the bottom bar.
Sync Settings Across Devices
If you use Outlook on multiple computers, you can sync your settings. In Outlook 2019 and Microsoft 365, go to File > Options > General. Check the box that says “Sync your Outlook settings across all your devices.” This includes navigation bar position.
Note that this only works if you’re signed in with the same Microsoft account. It also requires an internet connection to sync.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I move the navigation bar to the bottom in Outlook for Mac?
Yes, but the process is different. In Outlook for Mac, go to Outlook > Preferences > General. Look for the “Navigation bar position” dropdown and select “Bottom.” The change takes effect immediately.
Will moving the navigation bar affect my folders or emails?
No, moving the navigation bar only changes the layout. Your folders, emails, and other data remain exactly the same. It’s purely a visual change.
Can I move the navigation bar back to the left later?
Absolutely. Just follow the same steps and select “Left” instead of “Bottom.” You can switch back and forth as often as you like.
Does this work in Outlook for Android or iOS?
Mobile versions of Outlook have a different interface. The navigation bar is usually at the bottom by default on phones. On tablets, you might have an option to change it in settings.
Why don’t I see the Navigation Options button?
This button is only available in the classic Outlook desktop app. If you’re using the new Outlook or Outlook web app, use the settings method described earlier. If you’re using an older version like Outlook 2010, the option might not exist.
Final Thoughts
Moving the navigation bar to the bottom is a simple change that can make a big difference. It gives you more horizontal space, a cleaner look, and a more modern feel. The process takes less than a minute once you know where to look.
Whether you use the classic desktop app, the new Outlook, or the web version, the steps are straightforward. Try it out and see if it improves your workflow. You can always switch back if you prefer the traditional layout.
Remember to customize the bar further to suit your needs. Add or remove items, change the number of visible icons, or use compact mode. The goal is to create an Outlook workspace that works best for you.
If you run into any issues, the troubleshooting section above should help. Most problems are easy to fix with a restart or a settings check. And if all else fails, your IT department can assist with corporate accounts.
Now you have all the information you need to make the switch. Go ahead and move that navigation bar to the bottom. Your eyes and mouse hand will thank you.