How To Show Flagged Emails In Outlook : By Search Folder Method

Finding urgent messages at a glance is possible when you set up a dedicated search folder to show flagged emails in Outlook. Knowing how to show flagged emails in outlook saves you time and keeps your workflow smooth. This guide walks you through every method, from simple filters to advanced search folders.

Flagged emails act like digital sticky notes. They mark messages that need follow-up, action, or just a second look. But if you have hundreds of emails, finding those flags can be tricky. Outlook offers several ways to bring them front and center.

Let’s start with the quickest method. You don’t need any special setup for this one.

Using The Built-In Flag Filter

Outlook has a filter that shows only flagged items. It works in any folder, including your Inbox. This is the fastest way to see all flagged emails without creating anything new.

Open Outlook and go to your Inbox or any folder.
Look at the top of the message list. You’ll see a row of column headers like From, Subject, and Received.
Find the column header that looks like a flag or a small icon. It’s usually on the far left.
Click that flag icon. A dropdown menu appears.
Select “Flagged” from the list. Outlook instantly filters your view to show only flagged messages.

That’s it. Your inbox now shows only emails with flags. The filter stays active until you clear it. To go back to all emails, click the same flag icon and choose “All.”

This method works in Outlook 2016, 2019, 2021, and Microsoft 365. It’s also available in Outlook for Mac, though the icon might look slightly different.

What If The Flag Column Is Missing?

Sometimes the flag column isn’t visible. Don’t worry. You can add it back in a few clicks.

Right-click anywhere on the column headers row.
Choose “Field Chooser” from the menu.
A small window opens with a list of fields. Scroll down and find “Flag Status.”
Drag “Flag Status” up to the column headers. Drop it where you want it.
The flag column now appears. Click it to filter flagged emails.

This trick works for all versions of Outlook. Once the column is there, you can use the filter anytime.

How To Show Flagged Emails In Outlook Using Search

Search is another powerful tool. It lets you find flagged emails across all folders, not just your Inbox. This is great when you have flags scattered everywhere.

Click inside the search bar at the top of Outlook. It usually says “Search” or shows a magnifying glass.
Type this exact command: flagged:yes
Press Enter. Outlook shows every flagged email in your mailbox.
To narrow results, add more terms. For example, “flagged:yes from:john” shows only flagged emails from John.

You can also use the search ribbon. Click the “Search” tab that appears when you’re in the search box. Look for the “Flagged” button in the Refine group. Click it, and Outlook adds the search term automatically.

This method is fast and doesn’t require any setup. It works across all folders, including Sent Items and Archives. The only downside is you have to search each time you want to see flagged emails.

Using Search Folders For Flagged Emails

Search folders are like saved searches. They show up in your folder list and update automatically. This is the most permanent solution for showing flagged emails.

Go to the Folder tab in the ribbon at the top.
Click “New Search Folder.” A dialog box opens.
Scroll down to the “Custom” section at the bottom.
Select “Create a custom Search Folder.” Then click “Choose.”
Give your folder a name, like “Flagged Emails” or “Follow Up.”
Click “Criteria.” A new window opens.
Go to the “Advanced” tab.
Click “Field,” then choose “Frequently-used fields,” then “Flag Status.”
In the Condition box, select “equals.” In the Value box, type “Flagged.”
Click “Add to List.” Then click “OK” three times to close all windows.

Your new search folder appears in the folder pane on the left, usually under “Search Folders.” It shows all flagged emails in real time. Any new email you flag appears automatically.

This method is ideal if you check flagged emails daily. You don’t have to run a search or apply a filter each time. The folder is always there, ready to use.

How To Show Flagged Emails In Outlook With Quick Steps

Quick Steps are one-click actions. You can create a Quick Step that shows flagged emails. This is a shortcut for people who prefer buttons over menus.

Go to the Home tab. Look for the Quick Steps group.
Click the small arrow in the bottom-right corner of the Quick Steps box.
Select “New Quick Step,” then “Custom.”
Name your Quick Step, like “Show Flagged.”
Choose an action. Since there’s no direct “show flagged” action, pick “Move to Folder.”
But wait—we don’t want to move emails. Instead, use the search trick. Set the action to “New Message” or “Reply,” but that’s not ideal.

Actually, a better approach is to use a macro or a custom search. Quick Steps aren’t the best for this task. Stick with the filter or search folder methods for reliability.

Viewing Flagged Emails In Outlook On Mobile

The Outlook mobile app also supports flagged emails. The process is slightly different but just as easy.

Open the Outlook app on your phone.
Tap the search icon at the bottom.
In the search bar, type “flagged:yes” (without quotes).
Tap search. All flagged emails appear.
You can also filter by flag from the Inbox view. Tap the filter icon (three lines with circles) and select “Flagged.”

This works on both iOS and Android. The mobile app syncs with your desktop, so flags you set on your phone appear on your computer and vice versa.

How To Show Flagged Emails In Outlook For Mac

Outlook for Mac has its own layout. But the flag filter is still available.

Open Outlook for Mac.
Go to your Inbox.
Click the “Filter” button in the toolbar. It looks like a funnel.
Select “Flagged” from the dropdown.
Your view changes to show only flagged emails.

You can also use the search bar. Type “flagged:yes” just like on Windows. The results are the same.

Organizing Flagged Emails With Categories

Flags alone are useful, but combining them with categories makes them even better. You can assign a color category to flagged emails and then filter by both.

Right-click a flagged email.
Choose “Categorize” and pick a color, like Red or Blue.
Now, to show only red flagged emails, use search: “flagged:yes category:red”
Or create a search folder with both criteria.

This helps when you have many flagged emails. You can separate work flags from personal ones. It’s a small extra step that pays off.

Common Issues And Fixes

Sometimes flagged emails don’t show up as expected. Here are a few problems and solutions.

Flags Not Appearing In Search

If search doesn’t find flagged emails, your Outlook index might be broken. Rebuild the search index.

Close Outlook.
Open Control Panel and go to Indexing Options.
Click “Advanced,” then “Rebuild.”
Wait for the index to rebuild. This can take a while.
Open Outlook and try search again.

Search Folder Not Updating

If your custom search folder shows old results, it might need a refresh. Right-click the search folder and choose “Update Folder.” If that doesn’t work, delete and recreate it.

Flag Column Missing In Outlook Web

Outlook on the web (OWA) has a different interface. To show flagged emails in OWA:

Click the filter icon above the message list.
Select “Flagged.”
Or use the search bar and type “hasflag:yes” (note: it’s “hasflag” not “flagged” in OWA).

Advanced Tips For Power Users

If you use Outlook daily, these tips can save even more time.

Create A Rule To Auto-Flag Emails

You can set Outlook to flag emails automatically based on sender, subject, or keywords.

Go to the Home tab, click “Rules,” then “Manage Rules & Alerts.”
Click “New Rule.”
Choose “Apply rule on messages I receive.”
Set conditions, like from a specific person or with a word in the subject.
In the actions, check “flag the message for follow up.”
Choose a flag color or reminder time.
Finish the wizard.

Now, incoming emails that match your rule get flagged automatically. You don’t have to remember to flag them yourself.

Use Flagged Emails With Tasks

Flagged emails can appear in your Tasks list. This gives you a to-do list made from emails.

Go to the Tasks module in Outlook.
Click “To-Do List” in the navigation pane.
Flagged emails appear here as tasks. You can mark them complete, set due dates, and add reminders.

This is a great way to manage follow-ups without leaving Outlook.

How To Show Flagged Emails In Outlook Across Multiple Accounts

If you have multiple email accounts in Outlook, flagged emails from all accounts appear together in search. The search folder method also works across accounts, but only if the accounts are in the same Outlook profile.

To check, go to File > Account Settings. If all accounts are listed, they’re in the same profile. Your search folder will include flags from all of them.

If you have separate profiles, you’ll need to switch profiles to see flags from each account. There’s no built-in way to merge them.

Using Color Flags For Priority

Outlook lets you change the color of flags. This helps you prioritize. Red for urgent, yellow for later, green for done.

Right-click the flag icon in the message list.
Choose “Set Quick Click” to assign a default flag color.
Or click the flag multiple times to cycle through colors.
To filter by color, use search: “flagged:yes” and then sort by the flag column.

Color flags are visual only. Outlook doesn’t let you filter by flag color directly. But you can combine flags with categories for more precise filtering.

Keyboard Shortcuts For Flagged Emails

Speed up your workflow with keyboard shortcuts.

Insert – Flag or unflag the selected email.
Ctrl+Shift+G – Open the flag dialog to set a reminder.
Ctrl+E – Jump to the search bar. Then type “flagged:yes”.
Alt+H, F, F – Apply the flag filter in the Inbox.

These shortcuts work in Outlook for Windows. Mac users can check the Help menu for equivalents.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Show All Flagged Emails In Outlook At Once?

Use the search bar and type “flagged:yes”. This shows all flagged emails across all folders. Or create a custom search folder for permanent access.

Why Can’t I See The Flag Column In My Outlook Inbox?

The flag column might be hidden. Right-click the column headers, choose “Field Chooser,” and drag “Flag Status” to the header row. Then click the flag icon to filter.

Can I Show Flagged Emails In Outlook Without Using Search?

Yes. Click the flag icon in the column headers and select “Flagged.” This filters the current folder. For all folders, use a search folder.

How Do I Show Flagged Emails In Outlook On My IPhone?

Open the Outlook app, tap the search icon, and type “flagged:yes”. Or tap the filter icon and select “Flagged.”

Do Flagged Emails Sync Between Outlook On Desktop And Mobile?

Yes, as long as you use the same email account. Flags sync through Exchange or Microsoft 365. IMAP accounts may not sync flags reliably.

Final Thoughts On Showing Flagged Emails

Knowing how to show flagged emails in outlook is a small skill with big benefits. It cuts down the time you spend hunting for important messages. Whether you use the simple filter, the search bar, or a custom search folder, each method works well.

Start with the filter for quick looks. Move to a search folder if you check flags daily. Use search when you need to find flags across all folders. And don’t forget the mobile app—it has the same capabilities.

Try each method and see which fits your workflow. Once you get used to seeing flagged emails instantly, you’ll wonder how you managed without it.

Remember, the goal is to reduce clutter and focus on what matters. Flags are your friend. Use them wisely, and Outlook becomes a much more powerfull tool for staying organized.