Outlook: What is the Focused Inbox? (And why is it hiding my emails?)

Microsoft Outlook is hiding messages from you – and here’s how to find them.

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Focused Inbox is a new feature in Outlook 2016 and 365. It works with you to organise your inbox by what’s most important.

What ends up in Focused Inbox is based on the content of the email and who you interact with the most. Emails that are detected as being low priority are automatically filtered into Other Inbox.

How does the Focused Inbox work?

Focused Inbox divides your inbox into two tabs, Focused and Other. Most important emails are on the Focused tab while the rest remain easily accessible but out of the way on the Other tab. You’ll be informed about email in Other and you can switch between at any time.

How does the Focused Inbox work with Clutter?

Focused Inbox replaces clutter. Less important emails will no longer go into Clutter but will be moved to Other. While other important emails go into Focused. Messages already in your Clutter folder will remain there until you decide to move or delete them.

Why use the Focused Inbox?

The Focused Inbox has caused lots of controversy in the Happy offices – it’s a real ‘love it or hate it’ feature.

One member of staff comes into the office on Monday mornings with hundreds of unread emails, and finds this ‘Other’ folder a real time saver. Once they have gone through their main inbox, they then check their Other folder. They then may find 10 emails that they want to keep, and then delete the rest. The Focused Inbox has really learnt their preferences, and it has helped to keep their email inbox tidy.

How do I switch Focused Inbox on? (Office 2016)

1. Click the View tab.

2. Select Show Focused Inbox.

The Focused and Other tabs will appear at the top of your mailbox.

You’ll be informed about email flowing to Other and you can switch between tabs any time.

Please note: If you’re using Office 365 you will need a separate set of instructions.

How to ‘train’ the Focused Inbox

You can train Focused Inbox to learn your preferences quicker by moving emails between Focused and Other. This gives you time to focus on emails that matter the most.

1. Right-click the message you want to move

2. Choose either “Move to Other (from Focused)” to move the selected message, or choose “Always Move to Other” if you want all future messages from the sender to be delivered to the Other tab.

It can be done vice versa as well – from the “Other” folder to your main inbox.

But what if it isn’t for you? How do you turn it off?

I, on the other hand, find the Other folder a real annoyance. I was missing lots of important emails each week that I needed, and had noticed that many of my own emails were being lost in this way.

If you hate it too, here’s how you can switch it off (in Office 2016):

1. Select the View tab.

2. Select Show Focused Inbox.

The Focused and Other tabs will disappear from the top of your mailbox.

What do you think of the Focused Inbox? Do you think it is a help or a hindrance?

Learn the 10 core principles to create a happy and productive workplace in Henry Stewart's book, The Happy Manifesto.

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We also offer programmes tailored specifically to people from Global Majority backgrounds. The content is the same, but have been designed to give new and experienced managers the skills they need to navigate organisational culture with a clearer perspective on their own potential, as well as building their confidence and expanding their professional strengths.

Claire Lickman

Claire is Head of Marketing at Happy. She has worked at Happy since 2016, and is responsible for Happy’s marketing strategy, website, social media and more. Claire first heard about Happy in 2012 when she attended a mix of IT and personal development courses. These courses were life-changing and she has been a fan of Happy ever since. She has a personal blog at lecari.co.uk.