Applies ToOutlook for Microsoft 365 Outlook 2024 Outlook 2021 Outlook 2019 Outlook 2016 New Outlook for Windows Outlook for Android Outlook for iOS

A Microsoft 365 Group lets you work with your friends, family or colleagues on a common goal: You can send messages to the group, share files, and schedule events on a group calendar. You can add members when you first create a group or add them later.

Watch a short video about creating a group to be used as a company email address.

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Note: The steps in this video are for new Outlook and the web versions of Outlook. Still using classic Outlook? Use these steps to create your group.

Not sure what kind of group you have? Learn more about Microsoft 365 Groups.

Looking for information on contact lists? Check out Create, edit, or delete a contact list (or contact group) in Outlook.

Create a Microsoft 365 Group in new Outlook

Note: These features are only available to individuals using a work or school account with a qualifying Microsoft 365 subscription. 

  1. Open new Outlook.

  2. There are two ways to find your groups:

    1. Select Groups  in the App bar located in the left of the window. 

    2. In the mailbox folder list, select Go to Groups ​​​​​​​ From your folder list, select Go to new Groups, or Go to Groups​​​​​​​

  3. Select New Group on the ribbon and in the drop down select New Group.From the ribbon in the Groups dashboard, select New Group > New Group

  4. Enter the Name, Description, and set the Privacy settings, and then select Create.

Add members to a group in new Outlook

You'll be prompted to add members when you first create a group, but you can also add them later.

When you've entered the names or email addresses of everyone you want to add, select Add. If you're not ready to add people to your group, select Not now.

Note: If you don't see Groups in the left pane, your organization may not have turned on Groups.​​​

Create a Microsoft 365 Group in classic Outlook

Note: These features are only available to individuals using a work or school account with a qualifying Microsoft 365 subscription. 

  1. Open classic Outlook.

  2. There are two ways to find your groups:

    1. Select Groups  in the App bar located in the left of the window. 

    2. ​​​​​​​Select Home > New Group. ​​​​​​​ Groups options on the main Outlook ribbon​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Fill out the group information

  • Group name: Create a name that captures the spirit of the group.

    Once you enter a name, a suggested email address is provided. "Not available" means the group name is already in use and you should try a different name. Note that once you choose a group name, it cannot be changed.

  • Description: Optionally, enter a description that will help others understand the group's purpose. This description will be included in the welcome email when others join the group.

  • Classification: Choose a classification. Options available depend on what your organization has set up.

  • Privacy: By default, Groups are created as Private. This means only approved members in your organization can see what's inside the group. Anyone else in your organization who is not approved cannot see what's in the group.

    • Select Public to create a group where anyone within your organization can view its content and become a member.

    • Select Private to create a group where membership requires approval and only members can view group content.

  • Send all group conversations and events to members' inboxes Optionally, check this box to enable members to see all group conversations and events in their inbox without having to visit separate group workspaces. Members can change this setting for their own mailboxes.

  • Select Create.

Create a group

Add members to a group in classic Outlook

You'll be prompted to add members when you first create a group, but you can also add them later.

When you've entered the names or email addresses of everyone you want to add, select Add. If you're not ready to add people to your group, select Not now.

Note:  Question mark indicates help content Don't see New Group in your ribbon? Either your account isn't associated with a Microsoft 365 subscription, or your IT department might not have enabled Microsoft 365 Groups for your organization. Contact them for assistance.

Create a Microsoft 365 Group in Outlook on the web

Note: These features are only available to individuals using a work or school account with a qualifying Microsoft 365 subscription. 

  • Sign into Outlook on the web.

  1. Select Groups  in the App bar located in the left of the window.

  2. Select 'New Group' on the ribbon and in the drop down select New Group.From the ribbon, select new group > new group

  3. Enter the Name, Email address of the group, Description, and set the Privacy settings, and then select Create.

  4. You'll be prompted to add members when you first create a group, but you can also add them later. When you've entered the names or email addresses of everyone you want to add, select Add. If you're not ready to add people to your group, select Not now.

Note: If you don't see Groups in the left ribbon, your organization may not have turned on Groups.

Create a group in Outlook.com

  1. Sign into Outlook.com.

  2. Select Groups  in the App bar located in the left of the window.

  3. Select 'New Group' on the ribbon and in the drop down select New Group.From the ribbon in the Groups dashboard, select New Group > New Group

  4. Enter the Name, Email address of the group, Description, and set the Privacy settings, and then select Create.

  5. You'll be prompted to add members when you first create a group, but you can also add them later. When you've entered the names or email addresses of everyone you want to add, select Add. If you're not ready to add people to your group, select Not now.

Still need help?

To get support in Outlook.com, click here or select Help on the menu bar and enter your query. If the self-help doesn't solve your problem, scroll down to Still need help? and select Yes.

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See also

Create a group in Outlook for Mac

Try the new Groups in Outlook

Add, edit, or remove Group members in Outlook

Adding guests to Microsoft 365 Groups

Join, leave, or follow Groups in Outlook​​​​​​​

Send an email to a Group in Outlook

Schedule an event on a Group calendar in Outlook

Use shared files with your Microsoft 365 Group in Outlook

Edit or delete a Group in Outlook

Use Microsoft 365 Groups as a guest

Guests doesn't receive Microsoft 365 Group emails

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