Accessing your most-used contacts quickly means customizing the navigation pane to show your favorites in Outlook. This guide will show you exactly how to show favorites in Outlook across different versions and devices.
Many users waste time scrolling through long contact lists. The favorites feature solves this by pinning important people to the top. Let’s get straight to the steps.
How To Show Favorites In Outlook
The favorites section appears in the navigation pane on the left side of Outlook. It displays your frequently contacted people or groups. Here is how to enable and manage it.
Enable Favorites In Outlook Desktop
First, open Outlook on your Windows or Mac computer. Look at the left sidebar where your mail folders are listed.
- Click on the “People” icon at the bottom of the navigation pane. This opens your contacts view.
- In the ribbon at the top, find the “View” tab and click it.
- Look for the “Favorites” group within the View tab. You will see a checkbox labeled “Favorites”.
- Check this box to turn on the favorites section. It will appear at the top of the navigation pane.
- If the checkbox is already checked, your favorites are already visible.
Once enabled, you can start adding contacts. Drag any contact from your list directly into the favorites area. You can also right-click a contact and select “Add to Favorites”.
Show Favorites In Outlook Web App
The web version of Outlook works slightly differently. The favorites feature is built into the left navigation pane by default.
- Log into Outlook on the web (outlook.office.com).
- Look at the left sidebar. You will see a section labeled “Favorites” near the top.
- If you do not see it, click the three dots (more options) at the bottom of the sidebar.
- Select “Favorites” from the menu that appears.
- You can now pin contacts, folders, or groups to this section.
To add a contact, simply right-click their name in your contact list or in an email. Choose “Add to favorites” from the context menu. The contact will appear in the favorites section instantly.
Show Favorites In Outlook Mobile
Outlook for iOS and Android also supports favorites. The process is simple and touch-friendly.
- Open the Outlook app on your phone or tablet.
- Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-left corner.
- Scroll down to find the “Favorites” section. It may be collapsed by default.
- Tap the star icon next to any contact or folder to add it to favorites.
- You can also tap and hold a contact, then select “Add to Favorites”.
Favorites appear at the top of your mail and people views. This makes it easy to find your most important contacts without searching.
Customize Your Favorites List
Once you have enabled favorites, you can organize them. Outlook allows you to reorder, rename, or remove items from your favorites list.
Reorder Favorites
Drag and drop is the easiest way to reorder favorites. In the desktop version, click and hold a favorite contact. Move it up or down in the list. Release the mouse button to drop it in the new position.
In the web app, the same drag-and-drop method works. On mobile, you may need to tap “Edit” or use the reorder handles that appear when you long-press a favorite.
Remove Favorites
To remove a contact from favorites, right-click their name in the favorites list. Select “Remove from Favorites”. The contact will disappear from the list but remain in your main contacts.
On mobile, tap and hold the favorite contact. Choose “Remove from Favorites” from the popup menu. You can also swipe left on the contact to reveal a delete option.
Add Folders To Favorites
You are not limited to contacts. You can also add email folders to your favorites. This is useful for project folders or important inboxes.
- Right-click any folder in your mailbox list.
- Select “Add to Favorites” from the context menu.
- The folder will appear in the favorites section of the navigation pane.
- Click the folder to jump directly to its contents.
This works for inbox folders, sent items, drafts, and custom folders you create. It saves time when you need to check specific folders frequently.
Troubleshooting Favorites Not Showing
Sometimes the favorites section does not appear as expected. Here are common issues and fixes.
Favorites Section Missing
If you cannot see the favorites section at all, check your view settings. In the desktop app, go to View > Favorites and ensure the checkbox is selected. In the web app, click the three dots at the bottom of the sidebar and verify “Favorites” is checked.
Another reason could be a collapsed navigation pane. Click the arrow icon at the top of the sidebar to expand it fully. The favorites section may be hidden when the pane is minimized.
Favorites Not Syncing
If you add favorites on one device but they do not appear on another, check your sync settings. Outlook favorites sync through your Microsoft account. Ensure you are logged into the same account on all devices.
Go to File > Account Settings in the desktop app. Verify your account is connected and syncing properly. On mobile, check the account settings under Settings > Accounts.
Cannot Add Contacts To Favorites
If the “Add to Favorites” option is grayed out, the contact may already be in your favorites list. Check the favorites section for duplicates. If the contact is there, remove it first and try again.
Another possibility is that the contact is stored in a different address book. Outlook can only add contacts from your main contacts folder. Move the contact to the default contacts folder if needed.
Advanced Favorites Tips
Once you master the basics, you can use favorites more effectively. Here are some advanced strategies.
Create Favorites Groups
Outlook does not have a built-in group feature for favorites. However, you can create contact groups in your contacts folder. Add these groups to favorites for quick access to entire teams.
- Go to the People view and click “New Contact Group”.
- Name the group (e.g., “Marketing Team”).
- Add members to the group from your contacts.
- Save the group. It will appear in your contacts list.
- Drag the group into the favorites section.
Now you can email the entire group by clicking the favorite. This is much faster than selecting individual contacts each time.
Use Favorites For Quick Search
Favorites are not just for navigation. You can use them to filter search results. When you search in Outlook, click a favorite contact to see only emails from that person.
This works in both the desktop and web versions. It narrows down search results instantly, saving you from scrolling through hundreds of emails.
Pin Frequent Folders
If you have folders you access daily, pin them to favorites. This includes shared mailboxes, archive folders, or project-specific folders. Right-click the folder and select “Add to Favorites”.
You can also pin search folders. These are virtual folders that show emails matching specific criteria. Add them to favorites for one-click access to filtered views.
Favorites In Different Outlook Versions
The steps vary slightly depending on your Outlook version. Here is a quick comparison.
Outlook 2016 And 2019
These versions have the favorites feature in the People view. Go to View > Favorites and check the box. The favorites section appears at the top of the navigation pane. You can add contacts by dragging or right-clicking.
Outlook For Microsoft 365
The latest version includes favorites in both Mail and People views. The feature is more integrated. You can add folders and groups in addition to contacts. The sync across devices is also improved.
Outlook For Mac
Mac users have a slightly different interface. Open Outlook and go to the People tab. Click “View” in the menu bar and select “Show Favorites”. You can then drag contacts into the favorites bar at the top of the window.
Outlook On The Web
The web version has favorites built into the left sidebar. There is no need to enable it manually. Just right-click contacts or folders to add them. The favorites sync automatically with your Microsoft account.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Users often make small errors when setting up favorites. Here are mistakes to watch out for.
Adding too many favorites defeats the purpose. Keep your list short—10 to 15 contacts maximum. Otherwise, you still have to scroll through a long list.
Forgetting to check sync settings can cause frustration. If favorites do not appear on your phone, verify you are using the same account. Also, ensure your Outlook app is updated to the latest version.
Another mistake is not using folders as favorites. Many users only add contacts. Adding key folders can save even more time. Try adding your “Sent Items” or a project folder to favorites.
Some users accidentally remove favorites and cannot get them back. Simply right-click the contact again and select “Add to Favorites”. The contact will reappear in the list.
Benefits Of Using Favorites
Using favorites in Outlook offers several advantages. It reduces the time spent navigating your contact list. You can reach important people with one click instead of searching.
Favorites also help you stay organized. By pinning key contacts and folders, you create a personalized workspace. This is especially useful for professionals who manage multiple projects.
The feature works across devices. Favorites you add on your desktop appear on your phone and tablet. This consistency saves time and reduces confusion.
Finally, favorites improve your email workflow. You can quickly filter emails by favorite contacts. This helps you prioritize messages from important people.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I show favorites in Outlook if the option is missing?
Check your view settings. In the desktop app, go to View > Favorites and ensure the checkbox is selected. In the web app, click the three dots at the bottom of the sidebar and verify “Favorites” is enabled. If still missing, restart Outlook or update your app.
Can I show favorites in Outlook for Mac?
Yes. Open the People tab, click “View” in the menu bar, and select “Show Favorites”. A favorites bar appears at the top. Drag contacts into this bar to add them. The process is similar to the Windows version.
Why are my favorites not showing on my phone?
Favorites sync through your Microsoft account. Ensure you are logged into the same account on all devices. Check your sync settings in Outlook mobile under Settings > Accounts. Also, update the app to the latest version.
How do I remove a contact from favorites?
Right-click the contact in the favorites list and select “Remove from Favorites”. On mobile, tap and hold the contact, then choose “Remove from Favorites”. The contact remains in your main contacts list.
Can I add email folders to favorites?
Yes. Right-click any folder in your mailbox and select “Add to Favorites”. The folder appears in the favorites section. This works for inbox, sent items, drafts, and custom folders. It is a great way to access frequently used folders quickly.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to show favorites in Outlook transforms your email experience. It takes only a few minutes to set up but saves hours over time. Start by enabling the favorites section in your view settings. Then add your most important contacts and folders.
Experiment with reordering and grouping favorites to match your workflow. Use the feature across all your devices for a consistent experience. If you encounter issues, check your view settings and sync status. The troubleshooting steps above should resolve most problems.
Remember to keep your favorites list lean. Only include contacts and folders you use daily. This ensures the feature remains useful and not cluttered. With favorites enabled, you will navigate Outlook faster and with less effort.
Now you have all the steps to show and manage favorites in Outlook. Apply these tips today and enjoy a more organized inbox. Your most-used contacts are just a click away.