Outlook Tips

Learning Microsoft Outlook One Tip At A Time

Header Right

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

Tip 139: Applying a View to All Folders

Today's Question:

"I can create a custom view, but can't find a way to apply it to all folders other than on a one-by-one basis. Is there a way to apply the view to all folders at one time?"

Unfortunately you can't apply new views to a group of folders. The only option is to customize the Messages view and it will apply to all folders still using the Messages view. For best results, open Outlook using the /cleanviews switch before customizing Messages view – this removes all custom views and reset all default views, insuring the new customized Messages view will apply to all Mail folders.

Update: Outlook 2010 adds this feature.

Published June 1, 2004. Last reviewed on November 4, 2013.

Related posts:

Update: Outlook 2003 SP1 runs rules after junk e-mail filter. Update your installation if you haven't already. If you use OutlTip 93: Outlook 2003, Junk Email and RulesDid you know you aren't limited to using specific view formats on specific folders? Yes, you can create a Day/Week/month viewTip 97: Using Custom ViewsAre you using custom forms in Outlook 2003 and they aren't working, yet work perfectly in Outlook 2002? Outlook 2003 includesTip 59: Run Scripts in FoldersWhen you color code a shared calendar by user, you can tell by just looking at the calendar if someone is busy. You need Outlook 2Tip 79: Color Coding a Shared Calendar

Leave a Reply

2 Comments on "Tip 139: Applying a View to All Folders"

Notify of
2500
Sort by:   newest | oldest | most voted
Terry

How do you get rid of 'Show in groups" by default. FOR ALL THE FOLDERS. I have tried countless instructions and still get groups. Please advise. Thankyou
Terry

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
June 16, 2012 3:58 am
Diane Poremsky

You need to customize the default view. See Disable the Group By View in Outlook for the method. It's important that you use cleanviews before customizing.

Also, Outlook 2010 has an 'apply view to all folders' command - so while you don't need to use cleanviews first, we recommend it.

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
June 16, 2012 2:07 pm
wpDiscuz