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. Anonymous
    2024-06-27T03:56:50+00:00

    I'm with you! We don't need a workaround for something that worked just fine before their stupid updates. Just leave it as it was. At the very least, explain why this change was made. Was it necessary? Chime in Microsoft, but please, no more workarounds!

    In gratitude,

    Joe Silva

    @JoeSilvaWrites

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-04-17T10:57:36+00:00

    SORT OF FIX -

    You can add in a category, and delete it from your manage categories option, and it will not remove this from the email unless you go into the email and remove it via the X when it appears at the top of the email body. So far this only works in shared boxes, if you do this for an email in your own inbox, it will come up with a warning and remove it from the email all together.

    The only problem is, for users who haven't switched over, and are still using the old Outlook all of these categories will still appear for them in the category section. Which gets messy for them.

    A sort of fix for people who use shared inbox and need to update emails with information, but a pain if you have people in your team who aren't willing to switch to the new Outlook.

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  3. 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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  4. Anonymous
    2024-07-20T14:42:12+00:00

    Are we expecting an update to resolve the issue? I work for an international company and simple "categories" do not work for what we do. We add which order number is going where to email subject lines, among other information. As is the nature of order numbers, they cannot be boiled down to just certain categories. This has been a big problem for everyone involved and it's surprising and concerning that it's taken this long for it to be changed back.

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-02-22T05:11:35+00:00

    Dear Joe Silva1,

    Good day.

    Thank you for posting to Microsoft Community.

    We've received your query, and you can expect to receive response from one of our community moderators accordingly.

    At this point, we appreciate your patience and cooperation. Thank you.

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