How to Search Emails in Outlook Like a Pro
Typing a single word into Outlook's search box often brings back hundreds of results. A few simple tricks narrow it down to the one email you need.
Jump to the search box
• Classic Outlook: press Ctrl + E (or F3).
• New Outlook and Outlook on the web: press Alt + Q, or click the search box at the top.
• New Outlook and Outlook on the web: press Alt + Q, or click the search box at the top.
Search words you can type
Type these straight into the search box:
| Type | Finds |
|---|---|
| from:sarah | Emails from Sarah |
| to:tom | Emails sent to Tom |
| subject:invoice | "Invoice" in the subject line |
| hasattachments:yes | Emails with attachments |
| attachment:report | Attachments named or containing "report" |
| received:yesterday | Emails received yesterday |
| received:last week | Emails received last week |
| received:01/09/2026 | Emails received on a specific date |
| "site visit" | The exact phrase "site visit" |
Combine them
You can mix and match. For example:
from:sarah hasattachments:yes budget
finds emails from Sarah, with an attachment, that mention "budget".
subject:invoice received:last month
finds invoices from last month.
You can also use AND, OR and NOT (in capitals):
from:sarah OR from:tom
invoice NOT paid
invoice NOT paid
Use the filters instead
Prefer clicking to typing? After you start a search:
• New Outlook / web: click the filter icon (the funnel or sliders) at the right of the search box. Choose a folder, sender, subject, date range or "Has attachments".
• Classic Outlook: a Search tab appears on the ribbon with buttons for From, Subject, Has Attachments, Categorized, This Week and more.
• Classic Outlook: a Search tab appears on the ribbon with buttons for From, Subject, Has Attachments, Categorized, This Week and more.
Search all folders, not just the Inbox
This catches out a lot of people. If you're in the Inbox, Outlook may only search the Inbox — but the email might be in Archive, Sent Items or a subfolder.
• New Outlook / web: check the folder drop-down at the left of the search box says All folders.
• Classic Outlook: on the Search tab, choose All Mailboxes or All Outlook Items.
• Classic Outlook: on the Search tab, choose All Mailboxes or All Outlook Items.
Search your Sent Items
Looking for something you sent? Use to:name, or click Sent Items and search there.
Find big emails
• Classic Outlook: on the Search tab, click Size and choose Large or Huge.
• New Outlook / web: sort a folder by Size using the sort options above the message list.
• New Outlook / web: sort a folder by Size using the sort options above the message list.
Great for freeing up mailbox space.
Troubleshooting
Search isn't finding emails I know are there. In classic Outlook, the search index may need rebuilding: File > Options > Search > Indexing Options, then Advanced > Rebuild. It can take a while.
Old emails aren't showing. Classic Outlook may only keep the last year of email on your computer. Scroll to the bottom of the results and click More to search the server, or change the setting in File > Account Settings.
Wrapping up
Use from:, subject: and hasattachments:yes, put phrases in "quotes", and always search All folders. You'll find any email in seconds.
