How To Turn On Editor In Outlook 365

If you’re wondering How To Turn On Editor In Outlook 365, you’re not alone. Many users overlook this built-in writing assistant that can dramatically improve your email clarity and professionalism. The editor feature is hidden in the review tab of the new message window, and once activated, it checks spelling, grammar, style, and even tone.

Outlook 365’s editor is not the same as the old spell checker. It’s a full AI-powered tool that suggests rewrites, tracks conciseness, and flags overly complex sentences. But it’s not turned on by default in every version. You need to know exactly where to click.

This guide walks you through every step, from finding the review tab to customizing editor settings. We’ll cover desktop, web, and mobile versions. By the end, you’ll have editor running on all your emails.

Understanding Outlook 365 Editor

Editor in Outlook 365 is a cloud-based writing assistant. It uses Microsoft’s AI to analyze your text in real time. It catches more than typos—it checks for clarity, formality, inclusivity, and even sensitivity.

Unlike basic spell check, editor works across all your Microsoft 365 apps. In Outlook, it integrates directly into the compose window. You don’t need to open a separate tool or run a manual check.

The editor pane appears on the right side of your message. It shows a score out of 100, along with suggestions for improvement. You can accept or ignore each suggestion with one click.

What Editor Checks In Your Emails

Editor checks several categories. Each one helps you write clearer, more professional emails.

Spelling and grammar: Basic errors like typos and subject-verb agreement.
Clarity: Long sentences, passive voice, and wordy phrases.
Conciseness: Unnecessary words or redundant expressions.
Formality: Language that’s too casual or too stiff for your audience.
Inclusiveness: Potentially biased or insensitive terms.
Vocabulary: Suggestions for stronger or more precise words.

You can turn each category on or off in settings. This lets you customize editor to match your writing style and audience.

Now let’s get to the exact steps. This section covers the desktop version of Outlook 365, which is the most common. The process is slightly different depending on whether you’re using the new or classic Outlook.

Step-By-Step For Desktop (New Outlook)

Microsoft is rolling out a new Outlook interface. If you see a clean, modern design with a “New Outlook” toggle, follow these steps.

Open Outlook 365 and click “New Email” to open a compose window.
Look at the top ribbon. Click the “Review” tab. It’s usually between “Insert” and “View.”
In the Review tab, find the “Editor” button. It looks like a small document with a pencil.
Click “Editor.” The editor pane will open on the right side of your message.
If you don’t see the editor pane, check that you’re connected to the internet. Editor requires an active connection.

That’s it. Editor is now active for this email. It will check your text as you type and show suggestions in the pane.

Step-By-Step For Desktop (Classic Outlook)

If you’re using the older Outlook interface, the steps are similar but the location may differ slightly.

Open a new email message.
Go to the “Review” tab on the ribbon.
Click “Spelling & Grammar” or “Editor” depending on your version.
If you see “Spelling & Grammar,” click the small arrow next to it to expand options.
Select “Editor” from the dropdown menu.

In classic Outlook, editor may not appear as a separate pane. Instead, it runs a one-time check and shows a dialog box with suggestions. To get the live pane, you may need to update your Office version.

How To Enable Editor Permanently

By default, editor only runs when you manually click it. To make it run automatically on every email, you need to change settings.

In the editor pane, click the gear icon (settings) at the top.
Look for “Auto-enable Editor” or “Run Editor automatically.”
Toggle it on.
Close the settings pane. Editor will now activate each time you compose a new message.

This setting saves you from having to click the button every time. It’s a small change that makes a big difference.

Turning On Editor In Outlook Web App

The web version of Outlook 365 (outlook.office.com) also has editor. It works similarly but the interface is slightly different.

Steps For Outlook On The Web

Log in to your Outlook 365 account in a browser.
Click “New message” to open a compose window.
At the bottom of the compose window, look for the “…” (more options) button.
Click it and select “Show Editor” from the menu.
The editor pane will appear on the right side.

In the web app, editor runs automatically by default. You don’t need to enable it manually. If it’s not showing, check your browser extensions—some ad blockers can interfere.

Web App Limitations

The web version has fewer features than the desktop app. For example, it doesn’t show a score out of 100. It also doesn’t check for inclusivity or formality in all languages.

If you need the full editor experience, use the desktop app. The web version is fine for basic spelling and grammar checks.

Using Editor On Outlook Mobile

The Outlook mobile app for iOS and Android includes a simplified version of editor. It checks spelling and grammar as you type, but it doesn’t have the full pane.

How To Enable Editor On Mobile

Open the Outlook app on your phone.
Tap the compose button (usually a pencil icon).
Start typing your email. Editor will underline errors in red or blue.
Tap an underlined word to see suggestions.

There’s no separate button to turn editor on or off on mobile. It’s always active. If you don’t see underlines, check your app settings under “Mail” > “Spell Check.”

Mobile editor is basic. It won’t suggest style changes or tone adjustments. For that, you need the desktop or web version.

Customizing Editor Settings

Editor is flexible. You can turn specific checks on or off. This helps you avoid distractions from suggestions you don’t need.

How To Access Editor Settings

Open any new email in the desktop app.
Click “Editor” in the Review tab.
In the editor pane, click the gear icon.
A settings window will open with checkboxes for each category.

Recommended Settings For Business Emails

For professional communication, consider these settings:

Spelling and grammar: Always on.
Clarity: On. It helps you avoid confusing sentences.
Conciseness: On. Short emails are more effective.
Formality: On. It catches overly casual language.
Inclusiveness: On. Important for diverse teams.
Vocabulary: Off unless you want word suggestions.

You can also set the formality level. Choose “Professional” for work emails, “Casual” for friends, or “Custom” to set your own rules.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes editor doesn’t appear or stops working. Here are common problems and fixes.

Editor Button Is Grayed Out

If the Editor button is gray and unclickable, your account may not have the required license. Editor is included with Microsoft 365 subscriptions (Business, Enterprise, or Education). Free Outlook accounts don’t have it.

Check your subscription under File > Account. If you have a qualifying plan, try signing out and back in.

Editor Pane Shows “Something Went Wrong”

This usually means a temporary server issue. Wait a few minutes and try again. If it persists, clear your Outlook cache or repair your Office installation.

Editor Not Checking In Real Time

Real-time checking requires an internet connection. If you’re offline, editor will run a manual check when you click the button. Check your connection and try again.

Editor Suggestions Not Appearing

If editor opens but shows no suggestions, your text may be too short. Editor needs at least a few sentences to analyze. Also check that the relevant checkboxes are enabled in settings.

Advanced Editor Features

Beyond basic checks, editor offers some powerful tools. These are worth exploring if you write a lot of emails.

Rewrite Suggestions

Editor can suggest alternative phrasings for sentences. To use this, highlight a sentence and click “Rewrite” in the editor pane. It will show one or two alternatives.

This feature is great for improving flow or finding a more professional tone. It’s not perfect, but it gives you ideas.

Similarity Checker

Editor can check your text against online sources for potential plagiarism. This is useful if you’re quoting someone or reusing content. It’s not a full plagiarism tool, but it catches obvious matches.

To use it, click “Similarity” in the editor pane. It will scan your text and highlight matches.

Document Stats

Editor shows a summary of your email’s readability. It includes word count, sentence length, and reading time. This helps you keep emails short and easy to read.

You can find this under “Document stats” in the editor pane. It’s a simple but useful metric.

Best Practices For Using Editor

Editor is a tool, not a replacement for your judgment. Use it wisely.

Don’t Accept Every Suggestion

Editor’s suggestions are based on general rules. They may not fit your specific context. For example, it might suggest changing “I think” to “I believe” when the original is fine.

Read each suggestion carefully. Accept only the ones that improve your message.

Use Editor For Drafting, Not Final Review

Write your email first, then run editor. If you use it while typing, you may lose your flow. Write freely, then polish with editor.

This approach saves time and produces better emails.

Combine With Manual Proofreading

Editor misses some errors, especially homophones (their/there/they’re) and context-specific mistakes. Always read your email aloud before sending.

Editor is a safety net, not a substitute for careful writing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is Editor Not Showing In My Outlook 365?

Editor requires a Microsoft 365 subscription. Free Outlook accounts don’t have it. Also, check that you’re on the latest version of Outlook. Go to File > Office Account > Update Options to install updates.

Can I Turn On Editor For All Emails Automatically?

Yes. In the editor pane, click the gear icon and enable “Auto-enable Editor.” This will run editor each time you compose a new email. You can also set it in Outlook options under Mail > Editor Options.

Does Editor Work In Outlook For Mac?

Yes, but the Mac version has fewer features. You can access editor from the Review tab, but it doesn’t have the full pane. It runs a one-time check instead of real-time suggestions.

How Do I Turn Off Editor In Outlook 365?

To disable editor, go to the Review tab and click the Editor button to close the pane. To stop it from running automatically, go to editor settings and turn off “Auto-enable Editor.” You can also disable specific checks in the same settings.

Is Editor The Same As Microsoft Editor?

Yes. Microsoft Editor is the same tool across Word, Outlook, and other apps. In Outlook, it’s simply called “Editor.” The features are identical, but the interface varies slightly by app.

Final Tips For Getting The Most From Editor

Editor is a powerful tool, but it works best when you understand its limits. It’s not a magic fix for bad writing. Use it to catch errors and improve clarity, but always trust your own judgment.

Experiment with the settings to find what works for you. Some people love the conciseness checker; others find it annoying. Customize it to your needs.

Remember that editor learns from your corrections. The more you use it, the better it gets at understanding your style. Over time, it will make fewer irrelevant suggestions.

If you write a lot of emails, editor can save you hours of proofreading time. It’s worth the few minutes it takes to set up. Once it’s running, you’ll wonder how you managed without it.

Now you know exactly How To Turn On Editor In Outlook 365. Go ahead and enable it on your desktop, web, and mobile apps. Your inbox will thank you.