Shifting the toolbar from the side to the bottom in Outlook requires a specific sequence of clicks. If you are looking for a clear guide on how to move toolbar from side to bottom in outlook, you have come to the right place. Many users find the side toolbar takes up too much screen space or feels unnatural for their workflow. This article walks you through every step, from identifying the right settings to customizing your layout for maximum efficiency.
Outlook’s interface can be adjusted to suit your preferences, and moving the navigation bar is one of the simplest tweaks. The process is quick and works across most recent versions of Outlook for Windows and Mac. You will not need any third-party tools or advanced technical skills. Just follow the steps below, and you will have your toolbar at the bottom in no time.
Understanding The Outlook Navigation Bar
Before making changes, it helps to know what you are adjusting. The navigation bar in Outlook is the strip that shows icons for Mail, Calendar, People, and Tasks. By default, it often appears on the left side of the window. However, you can move it to the bottom to free up vertical space or align it with your personal habits.
This bar is sometimes called the Folder Pane or Navigation Pane, depending on your Outlook version. The setting to move it is located in the Options menu, not in the View tab. That is a common point of confusion, so pay attention to the exact path described below.
Why Move The Toolbar To The Bottom?
Users choose the bottom placement for several practical reasons. First, it gives you more room to read emails without the side panel eating into your screen width. Second, it can make switching between modules feel more natural, especially if you are used to other apps like Microsoft Teams or web browsers. Third, it reduces visual clutter on the left side, where your folder list usually sits.
Some people also find the bottom toolbar easier to reach with a mouse, particularly on widescreen monitors. The change is purely cosmetic and does not affect how Outlook functions. You can revert to the side layout anytime if you prefer the original setup.
How To Move Toolbar From Side To Bottom In Outlook
Now we get to the core instructions. The exact steps depend slightly on your Outlook version, but the logic remains consistent. Below is a detailed walkthrough for Outlook 2016, 2019, 2021, and Microsoft 365 on Windows. Mac users have a different process, which we cover in a later section.
Step 1: Open Outlook And Access Options
Launch Outlook on your computer. Click on the File tab in the top-left corner of the window. This opens the backstage view. From there, select Options at the bottom of the left-hand menu. A new dialog box titled “Outlook Options” will appear.
If you cannot find the Options button, look for “Account Settings” or “Manage Profiles” nearby. The Options button is usually the last item in the list. Click it to proceed.
Step 2: Navigate To The Advanced Section
Inside the Outlook Options dialog, you will see several categories on the left side. Click on Advanced. This section contains many settings related to display, performance, and data management. Scroll down until you find the heading “Outlook panes.”
Under “Outlook panes,” there is a button labeled Navigation Options. Click it. This opens a smaller window where you can control the placement and number of visible buttons.
Step 3: Change The Navigation Pane Position
In the Navigation Options window, look for the dropdown menu labeled “Navigation Pane position.” By default, it is set to Left. Click the dropdown and select Bottom. You will see a preview of how the toolbar will look.
While you are here, you can also adjust how many navigation buttons are displayed. The default is 4, but you can increase it to 5 or 6 if you use additional modules like Notes or Journal. Once you are satisfied, click OK to close the Navigation Options window.
Step 4: Apply And Confirm The Change
Click OK again to close the Outlook Options dialog. The toolbar should now appear at the bottom of the Outlook window. If it does not change immediately, restart Outlook. The new layout will be saved automatically.
You can verify the change by looking for the Mail, Calendar, and other icons along the bottom edge. They will be arranged horizontally instead of vertically. If you ever want to move it back, repeat the same steps and select “Left” instead of “Bottom.”
Alternative Method For Outlook On Mac
Mac users have a slightly different interface, but moving the toolbar is still straightforward. The process uses the Preferences menu instead of Options. Here is how to do it on Outlook for Mac 2019 and Microsoft 365 for Mac.
Step 1: Open Outlook Preferences
Launch Outlook on your Mac. Click on the Outlook menu in the top-left corner of the screen (next to the Apple logo). Select Preferences from the dropdown. A new window with various icons will appear.
Step 2: Find The Navigation Pane Setting
In the Preferences window, look for an icon labeled General. It is usually the first or second icon in the list. Click on it. This opens the General settings for Outlook. Scroll down until you see the section “Navigation pane.”
There is a checkbox or radio button that says “Show navigation pane on the bottom.” Check this box. The toolbar will immediately move to the bottom of your Outlook window. You do not need to restart the app.
Step 3: Customize The Number Of Buttons
While still in the General preferences, you can also adjust how many icons appear in the navigation bar. Look for a dropdown labeled “Number of recent items” or “Navigation pane buttons.” Set it to your preferred number. Close the Preferences window to save changes.
If you ever want to revert, uncheck the same box. The toolbar will return to the left side. Note that Mac versions of Outlook do not offer as many customization options as Windows, but the basic move is fully supported.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes the toolbar does not move even after following the steps. This can happen for a few reasons. Below are the most common problems and their fixes.
Issue 1: The Option Is Grayed Out
If the Navigation Options button is grayed out in Windows, it usually means your Outlook profile is corrupted or you are using an older version. Try restarting Outlook and your computer. If that does not work, create a new Outlook profile via the Control Panel.
For Mac users, if the checkbox is missing, ensure you have updated Outlook to the latest version. Go to the Mac App Store or Microsoft AutoUpdate to check for updates.
Issue 2: The Change Does Not Stick
If you move the toolbar to the bottom but it reverts after closing Outlook, your settings may not be saving properly. This can happen if you have a roaming profile or group policy restrictions at work. Contact your IT administrator to see if changes are blocked.
Alternatively, try running Outlook as an administrator on Windows. Right-click the Outlook icon and select “Run as administrator,” then make the change again. This often resolves permission-related issues.
Issue 3: The Toolbar Looks Different
After moving the toolbar, you might notice the icons are smaller or the text is cut off. This is normal because the bottom bar has limited vertical space. You can adjust the overall zoom level in Outlook by holding Ctrl and scrolling your mouse wheel (Windows) or using the zoom slider in the status bar.
If the icons are too small to read, consider increasing the number of buttons displayed. This spreads them out and makes each one larger. Go back to Navigation Options and set the “Maximum number of visible items” to a higher value.
Customizing The Bottom Toolbar Further
Once the toolbar is at the bottom, you can tweak it to match your workflow. Outlook allows you to reorder the icons, add or remove modules, and change how they are labeled. These adjustments are optional but can improve your experience.
Reordering Icons
To reorder the icons on the bottom toolbar, simply click and drag them to a new position. For example, if you use Calendar more than Mail, drag the Calendar icon to the far left. The change takes effect immediately. This works on both Windows and Mac versions.
Adding Or Removing Modules
If you want to add a module like Notes or Journal, go back to Navigation Options (Windows) or General Preferences (Mac). Increase the “Maximum number of visible items” to include more buttons. Then, right-click the toolbar area and select “Navigation Pane Options” to check or uncheck specific modules.
On Mac, you can only add modules that are already installed. If a module is missing, you may need to enable it via the Outlook Add-ins menu. This is less common but worth checking if you need a specific feature.
Changing Icon Labels
By default, the bottom toolbar shows both icons and text labels. If you prefer icons only, right-click the toolbar and uncheck “Show Text Labels.” This saves even more space. On Mac, this option is in the View menu under “Navigation Pane Labels.”
Conversely, if you want larger labels, you can increase the font size in Outlook’s general settings. Go to File > Options > Mail (Windows) or Outlook > Preferences > Fonts (Mac). This affects all text in Outlook, not just the toolbar.
Comparing Side Vs Bottom Toolbar Layouts
Choosing between side and bottom placement depends on your monitor setup and personal habits. Below is a quick comparison to help you decide.
- Side toolbar: Saves vertical space, good for tall monitors, keeps navigation near your folder list.
- Bottom toolbar: Saves horizontal space, ideal for widescreens, feels more modern and app-like.
- Side toolbar: Icons are larger by default, easier to click with a mouse.
- Bottom toolbar: Icons are smaller but can be expanded, works well with touchscreens.
- Side toolbar: Traditional layout, familiar to long-time Outlook users.
- Bottom toolbar: Newer layout, matches other Microsoft 365 apps like Teams.
There is no right or wrong choice. Try both for a few days to see which feels more comfortable. You can switch back anytime without losing any settings or data.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Do I Move The Toolbar From Side To Bottom In Outlook 365?
Open Outlook, go to File > Options > Advanced, click Navigation Options, and change the position dropdown to Bottom. Restart Outlook if needed. This works for Outlook 365 on Windows.
2. Can I Move The Navigation Bar To The Bottom In Outlook For Mac?
Yes. Open Outlook, click Outlook > Preferences > General, and check the box “Show navigation pane on the bottom.” The change happens instantly.
3. Why Is The Navigation Options Button Missing In My Outlook?
This button is only available in Outlook for Windows. If you are on Mac, use the Preferences method. If you are on Windows and it is missing, try repairing your Office installation or updating Outlook.
4. Will Moving The Toolbar Affect My Email Folders Or Calendar Data?
No. This change only affects the visual layout of the navigation bar. Your emails, folders, calendar events, and contacts remain untouched. It is purely cosmetic.
5. How To Reset The Toolbar Back To The Side In Outlook?
Follow the same steps: File > Options > Advanced > Navigation Options, then select “Left” instead of “Bottom.” On Mac, uncheck the box in Preferences > General. The toolbar will return to its original position.
Final Tips For A Smooth Experience
After moving the toolbar, take a moment to adjust other display settings. For example, you can collapse the folder pane by clicking the arrow icon at the top of the folder list. This gives you even more screen space for reading emails.
If you use multiple monitors, consider placing Outlook on your secondary monitor with the bottom toolbar. This keeps your main screen free for other tasks. The bottom toolbar works well in both portrait and landscape orientations.
Remember that Outlook updates can sometimes reset your preferences. If the toolbar moves back to the side after an update, simply repeat the steps above. It takes less than a minute to fix.
You now have all the knowledge needed to customize Outlook’s navigation bar. Whether you prefer the side or bottom layout, the choice is yours. The steps are simple, reversible, and require no technical expertise. Go ahead and try it—you might find the bottom toolbar makes your daily email management a little easier.
If you encounter any issues, refer back to the troubleshooting section or the FAQ. Most problems are easy to resolve with a quick restart or a settings check. Enjoy your newly arranged Outlook interface.