The find dialog in Outlook 2003 and earlier does not support "AND" searches. Multiple words are searched using the "OR" operator. However, you can do a Boolean search with the AND operator using Advanced find. This same method works with Views (for Filters and Automatic formatting) and Search folders (Outlook 2003/2007/2010).
First you need to enable QueryBuilder by adding the QueryBuilder key to the registry.
- Open the registry editor by typing regedit in the Start menu, Run command or in Vista's Start menu Start Search field.
- Browse to the following key, replacing xx with your version of Outlook.
- Right click on the Outlook key and choose New, Key.
- Name it QueryBuilder
- Close regedit.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\xx.0\Outlook
Now when you open Advanced Find, create filters or automatic formatting rules for custom views, or create a Search folder, you'll see a tab called Query Builder. You'll add fields, conditions and values like you would on the Advanced tab and can create logical groups by using AND or OR to tie the criteria together.
In Outlook 2007 and up, Instant search ties search terms together with AND. If you need to do an OR search, use Query Builder in Advanced Find.
More Information
If you don't want to edit the registry yourself, I have ready-to-use .reg files at slipstick.com.
Published May 14, 2011. Last updated on October 25, 2020.