Microsoft 365 - Find the folder location of a message when using the search function

This document will provide you step-by-step instructions on how to find the folder location of an email message when using the search function in Microsoft's Outlook email clients.

Overview

When using the search function in Outlook to locate a message, Outlook can also tell you in which folder the message is located. This is especially helpful for users with many folders or complex/nested folder structures.

Important: The folder location will not include the full path of the folders (if the folder is within other sub-folders). It will only show the destination folder the message is located in. If you need find the location of the nested folder, review the following: Outlook for Windows | Outlook for Mac.

After Outlook has returned your search results, you may follow the steps below for your email client to find the folder a message is in.

Outlook on the web

The folder the email is in will be shown on the bottom right of the email in the search results like shown below. In this case, this email is in the Deleted Items folder.

OWA email screenshot

Outlook for Windows

New

Within the email search results, the folder location will be listed under the receive date of the message.

Classic

In the Windows Outlook desktop clients, double-click on the message, then click on the File menu. Within the "Move to Folder" selection, the message's location will be displayed.

message location

Outlook for Mac

Click on the search field in the upper-right corner of Outlook to reveal the "Search" ribbon. From the "Search" ribbon, you may choose to search the folder you are currently in, subfolders, all mail, or all items (includes calendar events and contacts).

outlook search ribbon

To find the location of a message returned in your search results, simply open the message in a separate window by double-clicking it, and the folder location will be shown at the top of the window.

outlook message folder ribbon selection

Outlook mobile apps (Android & iOS)

In the Outlook for Android and Outlook for iOS apps, a message returned by a search will show you the folder location automatically, to the right of the message sender's display name.

outlook mobile find message location

iOS search message location

See Also


Keywords:
office 365 0365 microsoft o365 m365 microsoft 365 search find message location folder outlook 2019 proplus owa on the web 2016 android iOS apple mobile 
Doc ID:
60743
Owned by:
O365 S. in Microsoft 365
Created:
2016-02-12
Updated:
2024-09-04
Sites:
DoIT Help Desk, Microsoft 365