Applies ToOutlook for Microsoft 365 Outlook 2024 Outlook 2021 Outlook 2019 Outlook on the web New Outlook for Windows Outlook for Android Outlook for iOS Outlook on the web for Exchange Server 2019

You can now have Outlook end your events a few minutes early or start them a few minutes late. This can help you build in travel time between events or add buffer time if other events go a bit long. You can choose a different duration for events under one hour and over one hour.

This feature is set up per email account. If you have more than one, be sure to set the start and end time settings for the ones you want.

Note: Outlook for Mac guidance on this topic is available here

Note: Users should be running the latest Monthly Enterprise Channel build of Outlook Desktop. You can check to see what the latest build of Outlook is at this page. You can check what version of Outlook for Windows you are running by visiting What version of Outlook do I have?.

  1. Select File > Options > Calendar > Calendar options.

  2. Check the Shorten appointments and meetings checkbox and in the dropdown box choose End early or Start late.

      Calendar Options

  3. Use the drop-downs to select the number of minutes for events less than one hour and one hour or longer, then click OK.

Once set, this setting will be honored across Outlook for Windows, Outlook for Mac, Outlook on the web, Outlook for iOS, and Outlook for Android.

The Shorten meetings and events feature will be rolled out to our various channels on the following schedule:

Current Channel - Version 2102 (Build 13801.20266) and later Monthly Enterprise Channel - Version 2102 (Build 13801.20266) and later Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel (Preview) - Planned for Version 2108 in September 2021 Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel - Planned for Version 2108 in January 2022

Outlook on the web users can set events to end early or start late by using the following instructions.

  1. Select Settings  Web Settings Icon > Calendar > Events and invitations.

  2. Check the Shorten duration for all events checkbox.

    Web Options  

  3. Use the drop-downs to select the number of minutes for events less than one hour and one hour or longer, then click Save.

    Once set, this setting will be honored across Outlook for Windows, Outlook for Mac, Outlook on the web, Outlook for iOS, and Outlook for Android.

  1. Tap the Home button in the top left corner of the app.

  2. Tap the Settings (gear) icon in the bottom left corner. 

  3. Select the account you want to shorten events on.

  4. Scroll down and select Shorten All Events.

  5. You can then choose to start events late, or end events early, and by how much time.

  1. Tap the Home button in the top left corner of the app.

  2. Tap the Settings (gear) icon in the bottom left corner. 

  3. Select the account you want to shorten events on.

  4. Scroll down and select Shorten All Events.

  5. You can then choose to start events late, or end events early, and by how much time.

You can set events to end early or start late by using the following instructions.

  1. Select Settings  Web Settings Icon  > Calendar > Events and invitations.

  2. Select the Shorten duration for all events checkbox.

    Web Options  

  3. Use the dropdowns to select the number of minutes for events less than one hour and one hour or longer, then click Save.

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