Fortunately, Outlook has a really strong search function, but all the advanced options are hidden by default, unless you know how to construct your query. Here are several ways to locate even hard-to-find emails in Outlook 2016.

Add a Search Tab to the Ribbon

Add a Search Tab to the Ribbon

Add a Search Tab to the Ribbon

By default, Outlook 2016 hides its advanced search options. You can put a Search tab on the ribbon navigation so that they’re easy to find.

Find Emails Using the Search Box

Find Emails Using the Search Box

Just like you can perform advanced searches by entering certain commands into Google or Bing, you can do the same with Outlook’s internal search box. Each command has to be followed by a colon (:). You can combine these commands as needed.

from: Searches by sender. You can enter an exact name with a space in quotes (“Avram Piltch”), enter just part of a name without quotes (‘Avram’) or a domain (‘purch.com’).

to: Searches by recipient. Use the full name, partial name, email address or domain.

subject: Contains keywords that appear in the subject line.body: Contains keywords that appear in the body.hasattachments:yes Limits your results to only those that have attachments received: Limits your results based on when you got the email. You can phrase use natural language dates such as “this week,” “today,” “yesterday” or “this year.” You can also use full or partial dates such as “August 17” or “2015.“sent: Works like “received” but with send date.

You can also enter keywords without a command, and Outlook will try to find them in the subject, body, sender and recipient fields. You can combine these keywords with commands. By default, Outlook will search your currently selected mailbox. For example, if you’re viewing the Inbox, the results will only come from the Inbox. However, you can broaden the search by selecting a different option from the pulldown menu next to the search box.

Use the Advanced Find Box

Use the Advanced Find Box

Use the Advanced Find Box

Another way to search Outlook 2016 is by using the advanced find box.

Microsoft Outlook Tips

Microsoft Outlook Tips

Microsoft Outlook Tips

Previous TipNext Tip

Block a Sender in Outlook 2016How to Instantly Mark Messages as Read in Outlook 2016 and PriorEdit New Message Alerts in OutlookHow to Mail Merge in Office 2016Set an Out of Office Reply in OutlookHow to Create Custom Groups in Outlook 2016Download Your Address Book in Outlook 2016 and PriorHow to Archive Mail in Outlook 2016Create an Email Signature in Outlook 2016 and PriorAttach a Calendar Event to an EmailSet Up a Universal InboxImport Contacts to macOS Address BookPurge Deleted MessagesDelete Addresses in Outlook AutocompleteChange the Attachment Size Limit in OutlookImport Contacts via CSVBack Up Outlook DataChange Fonts in OutlookExport Contacts to CSVAdd an Image to Your SignatureSet Up Out-of-Office MessagesCreate Email TemplatesRestrict Notifications to Important Emails OnlyGet Read ReceiptsUse Two Time Zones for MeetingsRecall an EmailSave Common SearchesFilter EmailBlock Unwanted MailStop Sending Winmail.datAutomate Repetitive ActionsSchedule Outgoing MailCreate Canned Replies