Outlook Tips

Learning Microsoft Outlook One Tip At A Time

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.

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

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India

Outlook on the web is driving me mad - why does it have a different functionality to outlook? On the web version there is no view tab, hardly any options under settings. All I want to do is get rid of the annoying favourites folder. Could someone please tell me how to do this before I go mad....

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September 18, 2017 12:47 pm
Diane Poremsky

Outlook on the web is a lightweight client and is limited by the capability of internet applications. I think you right click on the folder but I’ll need to check - I’m on an iPad and the browser in safari and don’t have favorites. :(

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September 29, 2017 9:08 pm
Diane Poremsky

Back on a computer.... I don’t see a way to turn it off. You can collapse it and just use all folders. Or, put all folders in favorites and use only the first folders screen (don’t click the more button).

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September 29, 2017 11:48 pm
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

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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 »
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March 29, 2017 8:48 am
Robert

Scott you are so right. Microsoft sends u in circles when your trying to trouble shoot a problem

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November 7, 2017 3:30 pm
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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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October 13, 2016 12:37 am