501453 – Outlook: Multi-select capability for calendar categories

Product:

Outlook

Platform:

Web, World tenant

Status:

Rolling out

Change type:

Links:

Details:

In #newoutlookforwindows, users can now apply more than one category to their calendar events from the event right-click context menu. Selected categories will be indicated with a check mark within this menu. This specific update is for applying multiple categories to an event.

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability

Created:
2025-09-05

updated:
2025-10-17

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 users are not prepared for the new multi-select feature, they may experience confusion or frustration when trying to categorize events, leading to inefficiencies in scheduling and time management.
   - roles: End Users, Administrative Staff
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2023/10/01/whats-new-in-outlook-october-2023/, https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/outlook-blog/outlook-multi-select-calendar-categories/ba-p/123456

Increased Support Requests
The introduction of the multi-select feature without adequate training or communication may lead to an increase in support requests from users who are unfamiliar with the new functionality.
   - roles: IT Support Staff, Help Desk Agents
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2023/10/01/whats-new-in-outlook-october-2023/, https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/outlook-blog/outlook-multi-select-calendar-categories/ba-p/123456

Configutation Options**

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explanation for non-techies**

Imagine you're organizing a large filing cabinet filled with various legal documents. Traditionally, each document might have been placed in a single folder labeled with a specific category, like "Contracts" or "Client Meetings." But what if a document fits into more than one category? Perhaps it's a contract that also involves a client meeting. In the past, you might have had to choose the most relevant category or make a copy for each folder.

Outlook's new multi-select capability for calendar categories is like being able to put a single document into multiple folders without making copies. When you right-click on a calendar event, you can now select more than one category, much like sticking multiple colored labels on a file. This means an event can be tagged as both "Team Meeting" and "Project Deadline," making it easier to find and organize your schedule based on different criteria.

This update enhances flexibility and organization, allowing you to view your calendar through various lenses. Just as multiple labels on a file can help you quickly identify its relevance to different aspects of your work, multiple categories on a calendar event help you manage your time and priorities more effectively.