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Color Categories

This article applies to: Microsoft Outlook , Outlook for Mac , Outlook for Windows , Outlook on the Web

Categories are markers you create to help you track important messages and events. You can assign a color and label to as many categories as you need, then apply those markers to messages and events either manually or, using rules, automatically. Categories can be associated with email messages, calendar items, and tasks.

Color Categories in Outlook for Windows or Mac

Assign a Color Category in Outlook for Windows

Assign a Color Category in Outlook for Mac

Color Categories in Outlook on the Web

Microsoft frequently updates the design of Outlook on the web, so your version may not match exactly the description given here.

Create a Category

  1. Select any item on your calendar, in an email folder, or on your task list.
  2. Right-click the item (Mac: ctrl-click).
  3. From the list that appears, select Categorize.
  4. Click New category to create one.

You can rename existing categories or change colors associated with a category by selecting Categorize, then Manage categories. To change a color, select the current color shown next to the category.

Assign a Category to a Message, Calendar Event, or Task

Manually

  1. Right-click the item (Mac: ctrl-click).
  2. From the list that appears, select Categorize, then click the category you want to assign to the item.

Automatically

To automatically assign categories to messages, use Rules.

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