489226 – Outlook: Find Text when reading email on Outlook on the Web and New Outlook for Windows

Product:

Outlook

Platform:

Web, Windows Desktop, World tenant

Status:

Launched

Change type:

Links:

Details:

The ability to find text when reading email on Outlook will be supported. This feature will bear resemblance to F4 on Outlook for Windows, or Ctrl+F in another apps. #newoutlookforwindows

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability

Created:
2025-05-02

updated:
2025-09-25

Docu to Check

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MS workload name

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summary for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

User Experience Degradation
If the text search feature is implemented without proper user training or communication, users may struggle to adapt to the new functionality, leading to frustration and decreased productivity.
   - roles: End Users, Support Staff
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2023/01/10/whats-new-in-outlook-for-windows-and-outlook-on-the-web/, https://www.techradar.com/news/microsoft-outlook-2023-new-features

Increased Support Tickets
The introduction of the new text search feature without adequate preparation may lead to an influx of support tickets as users encounter issues or confusion, overwhelming the IT support team.
   - roles: Support Staff, IT Operations
   - references: https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-reduce-it-support-tickets/, https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2021/06/14/the-importance-of-it-support-in-business/

Configutation Options**

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explanation for non-techies**

Outlook is introducing a new feature that allows users to find specific text within an email while reading it on Outlook on the Web and the New Outlook for Windows. This is similar to the "Find" function you might use in other applications, like pressing Ctrl+F in a web browser or document editor to search for a word or phrase.

Think of it like searching for a specific page in a book. Instead of flipping through each page manually, you can use a search tool to jump directly to the page that contains the information you're looking for. This new feature in Outlook works in a similar way, allowing you to quickly locate specific text within an email without having to scroll through the entire message.

This can be particularly useful for lengthy emails or when you're trying to find a particular detail, such as a date, name, or keyword, within a conversation. It streamlines the process of navigating through emails, making it more efficient to find the information you need.

In essence, this update is about making email reading more user-friendly by incorporating a familiar and widely-used search function, enhancing the overall experience of managing and reading emails in Outlook.