When printing BCC in Outlook, you must include the BCC field in your print layout before sending the job. Many users don’t realize that Outlook hides the BCC field by default, so it won’t show up on your printed copy unless you adjust the settings first. This quick guide walks you through exactly how to print bcc in outlook for both desktop and web versions.
Let’s get right into it. You’ll learn the step-by-step process, common pitfalls, and how to make sure your printed emails include every recipient—even those in the BCC line.
How To Print Bcc In Outlook
Printing BCC in Outlook isn’t complicated, but it does require a few specific steps. The BCC field is usually hidden to protect privacy, so you need to manually show it before printing. Here’s how to do it on the desktop app.
Step 1: Open The Email You Want To Print
Start by opening the email message that contains the BCC recipients. Double-click the email in your inbox to open it in a separate window. This is important because the print options work differently when you view an email in the reading pane.
Once the email is open in its own window, you can proceed to the next step.
Step 2: Show The BCC Field
In the email window, look for the “Tags” group in the ribbon menu. Click on the small arrow icon in the bottom-right corner of the Tags section. This opens the Properties dialog box for that email.
- In the Properties window, find the “Internet headers” section at the bottom.
- Look for the line that says “Bcc:” followed by the email addresses.
- This confirms the BCC data exists, but you still need to make it visible for printing.
Alternatively, you can add the BCC field to the email header directly. Go to the “Options” tab in the ribbon and click “Bcc” in the Show Fields group. This adds the BCC line to the email header, making it visible on screen.
Step 3: Print The Email
Now that the BCC field is visible, press Ctrl+P or go to File > Print. In the print settings, make sure you select “Memo Style” as the print style. This style includes all header fields, including BCC.
- Click File > Print.
- Under Settings, choose “Memo Style” from the dropdown.
- Click the Print button.
Your printed copy should now show the BCC recipients. If it doesn’t, double-check that the BCC field was actually visible in the email window before printing.
Step 4: Verify The Output
After printing, check the physical copy or print preview. The BCC line should appear right after the CC line (if present) or after the To field. If you see only “To” and “Subject” but no BCC, you missed showing the field in Step 2.
Repeat the process, making sure the BCC field is toggled on before hitting print.
Printing BCC In Outlook Web App
The web version of Outlook works a bit differently. Here’s how to print BCC in Outlook when using a browser.
Step 1: Open The Email In A New Tab
Click on the email to open it in the reading pane. Then, click the three dots (…) in the top-right corner and select “Open in new window.” This gives you a dedicated view of the email.
Step 2: Check The BCC Field
In the new window, look at the header area. The BCC field might already be visible if the sender included it. If not, you may need to click “Show details” or “Expand header” to reveal all recipient fields.
Unfortunately, Outlook Web App doesn’t always display BCC in the print layout. A workaround is to copy the email content into a Word document and manually add the BCC info.
Step 3: Use Print Preview
Press Ctrl+P or click the printer icon. In the print preview, check if the BCC line appears. If it does, proceed to print. If not, you’ll need to use the desktop app or a different method.
Common Issues When Printing BCC In Outlook
Even after following the steps, you might run into problems. Here are the most common issues and how to fix them.
BCC Field Not Showing In Print Preview
This usually happens because the BCC field wasn’t visible when you opened the print dialog. Make sure you add the BCC field to the email header before printing. In the desktop app, go to Options > Bcc to toggle it on.
Print Style Not Set To Memo
Outlook offers several print styles like Table Style and Card Style. Only Memo Style includes all header fields. If you use a different style, BCC might be omitted. Always select Memo Style for complete headers.
BCC Recipients Not Saved In The Email
If the email was sent to you and you’re trying to print it, the BCC field is only visible to the sender. As a recipient, you cannot see who else was BCC’d. This is by design for privacy. You can only print BCC if you are the sender or have access to the sent email.
Alternative Methods To Print BCC In Outlook
If the standard method doesn’t work, try these alternatives.
Copy And Paste Into Word
Open the email, select all content (Ctrl+A), and copy it. Paste into a Microsoft Word document. Then manually type the BCC recipients at the top. Print the Word document instead.
- Open the email in a new window.
- Press Ctrl+A to select everything.
- Press Ctrl+C to copy.
- Open Word and press Ctrl+V to paste.
- Add the BCC line manually.
- Print from Word.
Use The Print Screen Method
Take a screenshot of the email with the BCC field visible. Paste the screenshot into a document and print it. This preserves the exact layout, including the BCC line.
Export To PDF First
Instead of printing directly, save the email as a PDF. In Outlook, go to File > Print, select “Microsoft Print to PDF” as the printer, and click Print. The PDF will include the BCC field if it was visible. Then print the PDF.
Why BCC Doesn’t Always Print
Understanding why BCC is hidden helps you troubleshoot. Outlook hides BCC by default to prevent accidental disclosure of private recipients. The field is considered sensitive, so it’s not included in standard print layouts.
When you add the BCC field to the email header, you’re telling Outlook to treat it as a visible field. The print function then includes it because it’s part of the header information.
Tips For Printing BCC In Outlook Consistently
Here are some practical tips to make the process smoother.
- Always open the email in a separate window before printing.
- Toggle the BCC field on before you start the print process.
- Use Memo Style as your default print style for emails.
- Check print preview before sending to the printer.
- If you print BCC frequently, create a quick step or macro.
Creating A Quick Step For BCC Printing
You can automate the process with a Quick Step. Go to Home > Quick Steps > Create New. Name it “Print with BCC.” Under Actions, choose “Show BCC” and then “Print.” This saves you from manually toggling the field each time.
How To Print BCC In Outlook For Mac
Outlook for Mac has a slightly different interface. Here’s how to do it.
Step 1: Open The Email
Double-click the email to open it in a new window.
Step 2: Show The BCC Field
In the email window, go to the “Format” menu and select “BCC Field.” This adds the BCC line to the header.
Step 3: Print
Press Command+P, choose “Memo” as the print style, and click Print. The BCC field should appear on the printed copy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I print BCC in Outlook if I’m not the sender?
No. As a recipient, you cannot see who was BCC’d on an email. Only the sender can see the BCC list. You can only print BCC if you are the sender or have access to the sent items folder.
Why does my BCC field disappear after I close the email?
The BCC field is not saved as part of the email’s permanent header. It’s only visible while you have the email open and the field toggled on. You need to show it again each time you open the email for printing.
Does the BCC field print in all versions of Outlook?
Yes, the process works in Outlook 2016, 2019, 2021, and Microsoft 365. The web version has limitations, but the desktop app supports BCC printing consistently.
Can I print multiple emails with BCC at once?
No. You must print each email individually to include the BCC field. Batch printing does not preserve individual header fields.
Is there a way to permanently show BCC in all emails?
You can set Outlook to always show the BCC field when composing new emails. Go to Options > Mail > Compose messages and check “Always show Bcc.” However, this only applies to new emails, not existing ones.
Final Thoughts On Printing BCC In Outlook
Printing BCC in Outlook is straightforward once you know the steps. The key is to show the BCC field before you hit print. Always use Memo Style and check the print preview to confirm.
If you encounter issues, try the alternative methods like copying to Word or using a PDF. These workarounds are reliable when the direct method fails.
Remember that BCC is designed for privacy, so Outlook doesn’t make it easy to print. But with this guide, you can get the job done quickly and accurately.
Now you know exactly how to print bcc in outlook. Go ahead and try it with your next email. You’ll see the BCC line right there on the paper, just as you need it.