How To Show Bcc In Outlook – In New Email Composition

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Sending a discreet copy of an email to someone without the primary recipient knowing requires you to show the Bcc field in Outlook. Understanding how to show bcc in outlook is a simple yet essential skill for professional email communication. Whether you’re using Outlook on Windows, Mac, or the web version, this guide will walk you through every method step by step.

Bcc stands for Blind Carbon Copy. When you add someone to the Bcc field, the main recipient cannot see that anyone else received the email. This is useful for protecting privacy, sending mass emails, or keeping a manager in the loop without cluttering the conversation.

Let’s get straight into the methods. You’ll find clear instructions for Outlook 365, Outlook 2019, Outlook 2016, Outlook on the web, and the Outlook mobile app.

How To Show Bcc In Outlook On Windows Desktop

The desktop version of Outlook for Windows is the most commonly used. Here is how to enable the Bcc field in a new email.

Method 1: Using The Ribbon Menu

  1. Open Outlook on your Windows computer.
  2. Click the “New Email” button in the Home tab. A new message window will open.
  3. Look at the ribbon menu at the top of the message window. You will see tabs like Message, Insert, and Options.
  4. Click on the “Options” tab.
  5. In the “Show Fields” group, you will see a button labeled “Bcc.” Click it. The Bcc field will appear above the Subject line.
  6. Now you can type the email addresses of the recipients you want to hide.

That is all it takes. Once you enable it, Outlook remembers your preference. The Bcc field will stay visible for future emails until you turn it off.

Method 2: Keyboard Shortcut

If you prefer using the keyboard, there is a faster way. In a new email message, simply press Ctrl + Shift + B on your keyboard. The Bcc field will appear instantly. This works in Outlook 2016, 2019, and Microsoft 365.

Method 3: Adding Bcc From The Ribbon (Alternative View)

Some versions of Outlook have a slightly different layout. If you don’t see the Options tab, try this:

  • Click “New Email.”
  • In the message window, click the “Tags” group arrow in the lower-right corner.
  • A dialog box opens. Look for the “Bcc” button at the bottom.
  • Click it, and the field appears.

This method is less common but works if your ribbon is customized.

How To Show Bcc In Outlook On Mac

Outlook for Mac has a different interface. The process is still straightforward.

Steps For Outlook For Mac

  1. Open Outlook on your Mac.
  2. Click “New Email” in the toolbar.
  3. In the new message window, look at the top menu bar. You will see “Options” next to “Message.”
  4. Click “Options.”
  5. Check the box next to “Bcc” in the dropdown menu. The Bcc field will appear in your email.

Alternatively, you can click the “Bcc” button directly in the message header if it is already visible. If not, the Options menu is your best bet.

Note that on Mac, the Bcc field might be hidden by default. Once you enable it, it stays on for the current session. You may need to repeat this for each new email if you close Outlook.

How To Show Bcc In Outlook On The Web

Outlook on the web (OWA) is used by many businesses. Here is how to show the Bcc field in the browser version.

Steps For Outlook Web App

  1. Go to outlook.office.com or your company’s Outlook web login.
  2. Sign in with your credentials.
  3. Click “New message” in the upper-left corner.
  4. A new message pane opens on the right side of the screen.
  5. Look at the top of the message pane. You will see a link that says “Bcc” next to the “To” field.
  6. Click “Bcc.” The Bcc field will appear below the “Cc” field.
  7. Enter the email addresses you want to hide.

That is it. The web version is very intuitive. If you don’t see the Bcc link, try clicking the three dots (more options) in the message header. Sometimes it is hidden under “Show fields.”

How To Show Bcc In Outlook Mobile App

The Outlook mobile app for iOS and Android also supports Bcc. Here is how to enable it.

Steps For Outlook Mobile (IOS And Android)

  1. Open the Outlook app on your phone.
  2. Tap the compose button (usually a pencil or plus icon) in the bottom-right corner.
  3. In the new message screen, tap the “To” field.
  4. You will see options for “Cc” and “Bcc” below the “To” field. Tap “Bcc.”
  5. The Bcc field will appear. Add the hidden recipients.

On some versions, you may need to tap the arrow next to the “To” field to expand the options. The Bcc option is always there, just hidden until you tap.

How To Always Show Bcc In Outlook By Default

If you use Bcc frequently, you might want it to appear automatically in every new email. Here is how to set that up.

For Outlook Desktop (Windows)

  1. Open Outlook and click “File” in the top-left corner.
  2. Click “Options” at the bottom of the left sidebar.
  3. In the Outlook Options window, click “Mail” on the left.
  4. Scroll down to the “Send messages” section.
  5. Click the button that says “Bcc” under “When composing a new message.”
  6. Click “OK” to save the changes.

Now, every time you open a new email, the Bcc field will be visible. This setting overrides the per-message toggle.

For Outlook On The Web

The web version does not have a permanent default setting. You will need to click “Bcc” each time you compose a new message. However, once you click it, it stays for that session until you close the browser tab.

Common Issues And Troubleshooting

Sometimes the Bcc field does not appear even after following the steps. Here are some common problems and solutions.

Bcc Button Is Grayed Out

If the Bcc button is grayed out in the Options tab, it might be due to an add-in or a group policy set by your IT department. Try restarting Outlook. If that doesn’t work, contact your system administrator.

Bcc Field Disappears After Sending

This is normal behavior. The Bcc field is only visible during composition. Once you send the email, the field disappears from the sent item. You can check the sent email in your Sent Items folder, but the Bcc recipients are not listed there either.

Bcc Not Working In Shared Mailboxes

If you are using a shared mailbox, the Bcc field might not be available. This is a limitation of some Outlook configurations. Try composing from your own mailbox and then adding the shared mailbox as a Bcc recipient.

Best Practices For Using Bcc

Using Bcc is powerful, but it should be used responsibly. Here are some tips.

  • Use Bcc for mass emails. When sending newsletters or announcements to a large group, put all recipients in Bcc. This protects their privacy and prevents reply-all chaos.
  • Use Bcc to keep someone informed. If you want your manager to see a conversation without being part of it, add them as Bcc.
  • Avoid using Bcc to hide communication. Bcc can be seen as sneaky if discovered. Use it only when necessary and ethical.
  • Double-check before sending. Make sure you have the correct email addresses in the Bcc field. A typo could send sensitive information to the wrong person.
  • Remember that Bcc recipients cannot see each other. Each Bcc recipient only sees their own address in the Bcc field. They do not know who else received the email.

How To Show Bcc In Outlook For Specific Versions

Different versions of Outlook have slight variations. Here is a quick reference.

Outlook 365 (Microsoft 365)

Follow the Windows desktop method above. The Bcc button is in the Options tab. The keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + B works perfectly.

Outlook 2019 And 2016

Same as Outlook 365. The interface is nearly identical. Use the Options tab or the keyboard shortcut.

Outlook 2013 And 2010

In older versions, the Bcc button is also in the Options tab. However, the layout might look different. Look for “Show Bcc” in the ribbon. The keyboard shortcut still works.

Outlook For Mac 2019 And 365

Use the Options menu as described earlier. The Bcc checkbox is there. No keyboard shortcut is available on Mac.

Outlook Web App (OWA)

Click “Bcc” in the message header. It is straightforward.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I show Bcc in Outlook if I can’t find the button?

If you cannot find the Bcc button, try using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + B on Windows. On Mac, check the Options menu. On the web, look for the “Bcc” link next to the “To” field.

Can I show Bcc in Outlook for all new emails automatically?

Yes, on Windows desktop, go to File > Options > Mail > Send messages, and click the “Bcc” button. This makes it default for all new emails. On the web and Mac, you need to enable it each time.

Does the Bcc field appear in sent emails?

No, the Bcc field is not visible in sent emails. When you open a sent email, you will only see the To and Cc fields. Bcc recipients are hidden from the record.

Can I add multiple people to Bcc in Outlook?

Yes, you can add as many recipients as you want to the Bcc field. Separate them with semicolons or commas, depending on your Outlook settings.

Why is the Bcc option missing in my Outlook?

This could be due to a group policy set by your IT department. Some organizations disable Bcc for security reasons. Contact your administrator if you need it enabled.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to show bcc in outlook is a small but valuable skill. It helps you communicate more professionally and protect your recipients’ privacy. Whether you are using Outlook on Windows, Mac, web, or mobile, the steps are simple and easy to remember.

Practice the methods outlined above. Once you get used to it, enabling Bcc will become second nature. Remember to use it wisely and ethically. Happy emailing.