check before: 2025-02-28
Product:
Exchange, Microsoft 365 Apps, Microsoft 365 for the web, Outlook
Platform:
Online, Web, Windows Desktop, World tenant
Status:
Launched
Change type:
New feature, Updated message, User impact
Links:
Details:
Summary:
Microsoft Outlook will introduce a user setting to include a comma in a recipient's contact name. This rollout will occur from mid-March to mid-June 2025. Users can change the default setting in Outlook settings. No admin action is required, but organizations may need to inform users and update documentation.
Details:
Updated May 28, 2025: We have updated the timeline below. Thank you for your patience.
By default, Microsoft Outlook for the web and new Microsoft Outlook for Windows support separating recipients by using either a semicolon or a comma. After this rollout, users can choose if a comma should be used as a recipient separator or if it should be allowed as part of the contact's name. This change is helpful for organizations where contacts use the "Last name, First name" format.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 470020.
[When this will happen:]
Targeted Release: We will begin rolling out in mid-March 2025 (previously late February) and expect to complete by mid-April 2025 (previously late March).
General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out in mid-May 2025 (previously mid-April) and expect to complete by mid-June 2025 (previously mid-May).
Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability, Targeted Release
Created:
2025-01-17
updated:
2025-05-29
Task Type
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Docu to Check
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MS How does it affect me
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MS Preperations
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MS Urgency
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summary for non-techies**
Microsoft Outlook is introducing a feature that allows users to choose between using commas or semicolons to separate email addresses, accommodating formats like "Last name, First name" without confusion.
Direct effects for Operations**
User Experience with Contact Management
Users may experience confusion or errors when sending emails if they are not aware of the new setting allowing commas in contact names. This could lead to misaddressed emails or delays in communication.
- roles: End Users, IT Support Staff
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=470020
Documentation and Training Needs
Organizations may face a need to update internal documentation and provide training to users on the new feature, which could lead to temporary disruptions in productivity if not managed properly.
- roles: Training Coordinators, Documentation Specialists
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=470020
Configutation Options**
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explanation for non-techies**
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** AI generated content. This information must be reviewed before use.
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change history
| Date | Property | old | new |
| 2025-05-29 | MC Last Updated | 02/19/2025 18:40:47 | 2025-05-28T20:54:20Z |
| 2025-05-29 | MC Messages | Updated February 19, 2025: We have updated the rollout timeline below. Thank you for your patience.
By default, Microsoft Outlook for the web and new Microsoft Outlook for Windows support separating recipients by using either a semicolon or a comma. After this rollout, users can choose if a comma should be used as a recipient separator or if it should be allowed as part of the contact's name. This change is helpful for organizations where contacts use the "Last name, First name" format. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 470020. [When this will happen:] Targeted Release: We will begin rolling out in mid-March 2025 (previously late February) and expect to complete by mid-April 2025 (previously late March). General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out in mid-April 2025 (previously late March) and expect to complete by mid-May 2025 (previously late April). | Updated May 28, 2025: We have updated the timeline below. Thank you for your patience.
By default, Microsoft Outlook for the web and new Microsoft Outlook for Windows support separating recipients by using either a semicolon or a comma. After this rollout, users can choose if a comma should be used as a recipient separator or if it should be allowed as part of the contact's name. This change is helpful for organizations where contacts use the "Last name, First name" format. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 470020. [When this will happen:] Targeted Release: We will begin rolling out in mid-March 2025 (previously late February) and expect to complete by mid-April 2025 (previously late March). General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out in mid-May 2025 (previously mid-April) and expect to complete by mid-June 2025 (previously mid-May). |
| 2025-05-29 | MC End Time | 06/27/2025 09:00:00 | 2025-07-28T09:00:00Z |
| 2025-05-29 | MC Summary | Outlook users will soon have the option to include a comma in a recipient's contact name, useful for "Last name, First name" formats. This setting will be user-adjustable in Outlook's "Compose and reply" settings. Rollout begins mid-March 2025 for Targeted Release and mid-April 2025 for General Availability. No admin action is required for the rollout. Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 470020. | Microsoft Outlook will introduce a user setting to include a comma in a recipient's contact name. This rollout will occur from mid-March to mid-June 2025. Users can change the default setting in Outlook settings. No admin action is required, but organizations may need to inform users and update documentation. |
| 2025-02-20 | MC Messages | By default, Microsoft Outlook for the web and new Microsoft Outlook for Windows support separating recipients by using either a semicolon or a comma. After this rollout, users can choose if a comma should be used as a recipient separator or if it should be allowed as part of the contact's name. This change is helpful for organizations where contacts use the "Last name, First name" format.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 470020. [When this will happen:] Targeted Release: We will begin rolling out in late February 2025 and expect to complete by late March 2025. General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out in late March 2025 and expect to complete by late April 2025. | Updated February 19, 2025: We have updated the rollout timeline below. Thank you for your patience.
By default, Microsoft Outlook for the web and new Microsoft Outlook for Windows support separating recipients by using either a semicolon or a comma. After this rollout, users can choose if a comma should be used as a recipient separator or if it should be allowed as part of the contact's name. This change is helpful for organizations where contacts use the "Last name, First name" format. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 470020. [When this will happen:] Targeted Release: We will begin rolling out in mid-March 2025 (previously late February) and expect to complete by mid-April 2025 (previously late March). General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out in mid-April 2025 (previously late March) and expect to complete by mid-May 2025 (previously late April). |
| 2025-02-20 | MC Title | Microsoft Outlook: New user setting to include a comma in recipient's contact name | (Updated) Microsoft Outlook: New user setting to include a comma in recipient's contact name |
| 2025-02-20 | MC Last Updated | 01/17/2025 00:52:46 | 2025-02-19T18:40:47Z |
| 2025-02-20 | MC MessageTagNames | New feature, User impact | Updated message, New feature, User impact |
| 2025-02-20 | MC Summary | Outlook users will soon have the option to include a comma in a recipient's contact name, useful for "Last name, First name" formats. This setting will be user-adjustable in Outlook's "Compose and reply" settings. Rollout begins late February 2025 for Targeted Release and late March 2025 for General Availability. No admin action is required for the rollout. Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 470020. | Outlook users will soon have the option to include a comma in a recipient's contact name, useful for "Last name, First name" formats. This setting will be user-adjustable in Outlook's "Compose and reply" settings. Rollout begins mid-March 2025 for Targeted Release and mid-April 2025 for General Availability. No admin action is required for the rollout. Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 470020. |
Last updated 5 days ago
