Conditional Formatting in classic Outlook for Windows

Conditional formatting in classic Outlook for Windows allows you to automatically change incoming message colors and fonts based on sender, subject, or recipients. Conditional formatting in classic Outlook for Windows is a way to make the incoming messages that meet defined conditions stand out in the message list by using color, fonts, and styles. You specify conditions that an incoming message should meet, such as a sender’s name or email address, and then conditional formatting is applied only to those messages.

For example, a conditional rule can specify that all messages sent from your manager appear in red text in the message list. If you want to make further changes to the body of your email messages, change the default font or text color for email messages.  

In this article

• Create a conditional formatting rule in classic Outlook for Windows

• Example conditional formatting rules in classic Outlook for Windows

  • Make all messages from John Kane appear in red
  • Make all messages that contain the word Contoso in the subject appear green
  • Make all messages that contain the word holiday in the subject or message body appear blue

Create a conditional formatting rule in classic Outlook for Windows

1. In Outlook for Windows, select View.

2. In the Current View group, select View Settings.
   

3. In the Advanced View Settings dialog box, select Conditional Formatting.
   
   A set of default rules appears. This includes the Unread messages rule. This rule makes unread messages appear bold in the message list. In addition, any conditional formatting rules that you created in the Organize pane with an earlier version of Outlook appear.

4. Do any of the following:

   • To delete a rule, select the rule, and then select Delete.
   • To temporarily turn off a rule, clear the check box for that rule.
   • To change the criteria for a rule, select the rule, and then select Condition.
   • To change the text formatting, select the rule, and then select Font.
   • To add a new conditional formatting rule, select Add, in the Name box, type a name, select Font to specify the formatting, and then select Condition to specify the criteria for this rule.

Example conditional formatting rules in classic Outlook for Windows

Following are some examples of conditional formatting rules that you can create in Outlook.

Make all messages from John Kane appear in red

1. Select Add.
2. Enter a name for the rule.
3. Select Font.
4. Under Color, select Red.
5. Select OK.
6. Select Condition.
7. In the From box, type John Kane.

1. In the Filter, Conditional Formatting, and Advanced View Settings dialog boxes, select OK.

Make all messages that contain the word Contoso in the subject appear green

1. Select Add.
2. Enter a name for the rule.
3. Select Font.
4. Under Color, select Green.
5. Select OK.
6. Select Condition.
7. In the Search for the word(s) box, type Contoso.
8. In the Filter, Conditional Formatting, and Advanced View Settings dialog boxes, select OK.

Make all messages that contain the word holiday in the subject or message body appear blue

1. Select Add.
2. Enter a name for the rule.
3. Select Font.
4. Under Color, select Blue.
5. Select OK.
6. Select Condition.
7. In the Search for the word(s) box, type holiday.
8. In the Filter, Conditional Formatting, and Advanced View Settings dialog boxes, select OK.

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