Outlook Tips

Learning Microsoft Outlook One Tip At A Time

Header Right

Outlook 2013 Absolute Beginner's Guide Diane Poremsky [Outlook MVP]

Where is File tab in Outlook?

Many Outlook desktop options are accessed from the File tab. When someone asks the question "Where is File tab?", it's almost a certainty that they are using Outlook on the web (formerly known as OWA, or Outlook.com) in their browser, not Outlook on the desktop. (A few might be using older versions of Outlook, but it has a File menu, so they would find the menu but not the command.)

the file tab in outlook

The File tab is part of the ribbon in Outlook 2010 and up and opens the "Backstage" page where many of the account options are. This replaces the old Tools menu in earlier versions of Outlook.

backstage page

If you are using Outlook on the web, there is no File tab. All options available to you are on the menu under the Gear icon.
outlook online banner

Some commands may be in the overflow menu () when an item is selected.

Published December 30, 2015. Last reviewed on May 5, 2017.

Related posts:

One of the form options on the New menu is "New Post in the folder", an option which is highly underused. Posts are non-Tip 109: Diary Custom FormSelect the published form from the Actions menuHow to publish custom forms in Microsoft Outlookopen an outlook data fileOpen an existing personal data file (*.pst) in OutlookTip 1097: Outlook folders named "the file so that changes to the file will be reflected in your item"

Leave a Reply

6 Comments on "Where is File tab in Outlook?"

Notify of
2500
Sort by:   newest | oldest | most voted
Scott Boatwright

Dean, I agree with you. It is super frustrating trying to save an email to your hard drive from Outlook.com

In fact Outlook.com is Microsofts WORST F'ING PRODUCT EVER! They should be shamed...

This link should show the way for you. Why they had to try to be like gmail is beyond me. Idiots!

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook_com/forum/oemail-ofolders/saving-messages-from-outlookcom-to-my-computer/d03680b0-d099-48be-80df-1ec86a8443fe

Best of Luck!
Scott

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
March 17, 2017 4:27 pm
Diane Poremsky
Hotmail (what Outlook.com was before they decided calling everything Outlook would be a good idea) predates Gmail and OWA predates Hotmail. Outlook on the web is "OWA" to the business world of Exchange Server as outlook.com is now running on Exchange backend. While it has Outlook in the name and some of the same features, the interface and menus are different between the desktop and web version (and smartphone app). If you need to save email outside of the mailbox in any great quantity, printing it one by one from Outlook on the web isn't the way to do it… Read more »
Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
March 29, 2017 8:48 am
Stu

I want to know where all my archived email disappear to. I want to change the setting but it is not under the gear setting and I have no file tab.
They have all disappeared. I need them now.

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
October 26, 2016 11:12 am
Diane Poremsky

You are using the Archive feature in Outlook on the web? The default folder is usually called Archive. Look on the Move menu - if you click Archive then look on the Move menu, the Archive folder is on the top.

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
October 26, 2016 11:35 pm
Dean Larson

"all available options are under gear symbol": No they are not. If they were I wouldn't BE here!!
Somewhere, somehow I set a new default font and size and color....want to change.
Spent the last half-hour searching every possibility ('options' under gear presents a dead page)
This is oh-so-typical.
I cannot tell you how many times in the past I got some instructions that could not be initiated or ended up at a dead end. Total fricking waste of time.
Wait....yes I can tell you how many times.
Everytime....almost without exception.

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
October 10, 2016 2:03 am
Diane Poremsky

What version of Outlook are you using? Outlook on the web, Outlook installed as part of Office (Mac or Windows), Outlook app on iOS, or Outlook app on Android? Each has settings in a different place. Plus, if it's outlook.com, its either on the old server or the new server. Settings are different for both. :(

If it's an Outlook.com and your account is on the new servers, look in options > layout > message format. This link should work - https://outlook.live.com/owa/?path=/options/messageformat
screenshot: http://screencast.com/t/qsYrMqbPCy

Vote Up-1Vote Down  Reply
October 13, 2016 12:37 am
wpDiscuz