How to Find Flagged Emails in Outlook

Flags in Outlook make it easier for you to return to important messages that require urgent attention. After flagging an email, you can find it using several methods on the Outlook desktop and web apps.

Finding Flagged Messages in the Outlook Desktop App

Sort the folder

  1. Go to any folder in your Outlook app (Inbox, Sent Items, Drafts, or Archive). Then, sort the emails by clicking the By Date dropdown.

    By Date Button in Outlook Desktop App
    Select the folder. Then, click on By Date.

  2. Under “Filters,” choose Flagged Mail. This will automatically display all flagged messages in that particular folder.
    Flagged Mail Filter in Outlook Desktop App
    Select Flagged Mail under “Filter.”

    List of Flagged Mail in Inbox Folder in Outlook Desktop App
    List of all flagged mails in the Inbox folder.

Check the Task Pane

Select the Task Pane icon on the bottom-left of the app. This displays flagged messages across all of your folders.

Task Pane Button in Outlook Desktop App
Click the Task Pane button.

Create a Search Folder

  1. On the left pane of the app, right-click on Search Folders. Click on New Search Folder.

    Search Folders Option in Outlook Desktop
    Click on Search Folders. Then, select New Search Folder.

  2. Under “Reading Mail,” select Mail flagged for follow up. Then, hit OK. This creates a new folder with all your flagged messages, both sent and received. Anytime you flag a new message, it automatically appears in this folder.
    Mail Flagged for Follow Up Option for New Search Folder
    Choose Mail flagged for follow up. Then, click on OK.

    New Search Folder With All Flagged Emails
    Go to For Follow Up folder under Search Folders to see all flagged emails.

Use instant search

  1. In the top ribbon, click Filter Email under the “Find” group.
  2. Select Flagged. All flagged messages across all folders will be displayed.
    Filter Email Drop-Down Menu
    Select Filter Email. Then, click on Flagged.

    List of All Flagged Emails
    List of all flagged emails in the “Search” tab.

Finding Flagged Messages in the Outlook Web App

  1. Sign in to outlook.com and navigate to your folder of choice (Inbox, Sent Items, Drafts, or Archive).

    Inbox Folder in Outlook Web App
    Go to your folder of choice.

  2. Click on Filter on top of the email list. Then, select Flagged from the dropdown menu. This will display all the flagged emails in that folder.
    Filter Drop-Down Menu in Outlook Web
    Click on Filter. Then, click on Flagged.

    List of Flagged Mail in Inbox Folder in Outlook Web App
    List of all flagged emails in the Inbox folder.

Liam is a marketing specialist at StartMarketing.net. Based in Dublin, he graduated from Trinity College Dublin in 2020 with a degree in Computer Science (Intelligent Systems). He has since 2021 worked for Google as a Sales and Marketing specialist, within their Dublin headquarters. Liam has over 4 years of experience in e-commerce sales, digital marketing and branding.

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