Why can't Outlook users edit the subject line of incoming emails?

Anonymous
2024-02-22T04:15:43+00:00

* * Moderator note on 11/21/2024 * *

If running Classic Outlook/Legacy Outlook/Desktop Outlook, please see this article.

Edit an email subject line https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/edit-an-email-subject-line-08d60328-2a27-473e-8227-0b42a1ff2ce6

Hello,

Ever since the "New Outlook" was released, MSoft has been pushing for all users move to this new version. When I first tried it, I noticed that the New Outlook would not allow me to edit the subject line for any incoming emails. Therefore, I DID NOT switch over. Today I realized that even in the legacy Outlook, this feature is no longer available. MSoft makes us believe it's available, but after about a minute or so, the edits just vanish.

Our workflow requires internal project numbers be assigned to certain emails. MSoft removing this option is a huge problem for us. I'm 100% confident I'm not the only one facing this problem. Needless to say, this is frustrating. The tool that is supposed to make us more productive is actually creating serious problems in our workflow.

What is going on?

In gratitude,

Joe Silva

Outlook | MacOS | Legacy Outlook for Mac | For home

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  1. Don Varnau 19,930 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2024-08-20T18:43:00+00:00

    Scott Seegmiller wrote:

    Will there be an update in the future that will allow for editing the subject line? Is it prioritized? or completely disregarded? or will there be an answer to the rest of the issues I listed in my other post here?

    1. You won'r hear from Microsoft staff here.
    2. "New" Outlook is a stripped down version of Office (Classic) (Desktop) Outlook. It was created to replace the Windows (10/11) Mail app. If Desktop Outlook has the features you want/need, you should use that. New Outlook will never have the capabilities of Desktop Outlook.
    3. No one here can predict whether or not you will be able to edit the subject line because of an update in the future.

    Don

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-08-20T18:11:41+00:00

    Will there be an update in the future that will allow for editing the subject line? Is it prioritized? or completely disregarded? or will there be an answer to the rest of the issues I listed in my other post here?

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-08-20T15:40:48+00:00

    Hi Jeff,

    I have seen this standard response from Microsoft to several of the community comments and like the others that received the standard Microsoft "other options" response, these "other options" will not work for my needs. I need to be able to "Edit" the "Subject Line" of an email.

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-08-20T12:52:07+00:00

    This is not helpful to me. I need to type on the Subject Line. Who I'm waiting on, what it is I'm waiting for, etc. There are many "different" things I need to type. I use the Flag function on all the items I'm waiting on. I'd rather be able to type on the Subject Line then to Flag something. Being able to identify what is needed on each email at a glance of the email is more important/saves me time then flagging it a certain color. Thank you. I went back to using the "old email" until it is mandated that I use the updated version. I will not do so unless I have no choice.

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-08-20T12:23:38+00:00

    do you have steps for the above? One option is to use the categories feature in Outlook to label your emails with specific project numbers. Another option is to use the message body or the email's flagging feature to add project numbers or other information.

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