[MAC] NEW vs LEGACY Outlook | Comparison & Guide

[@taylormedia1000]

Figuratively you saved my life by indicating how to switch to the Legacy version of Outlook for my Mac. The new version erased 98%, yes 98% of ALL MY CONTACTS INFORMATION = GONE. Even Microsoft doesn’t know how to do this. Believe me; I was on the line for four hours with three techs and no results.

[@indigosoftware9625]

Glad we could help! Microsoft released the “new” outlook for mac somewhat recently so hopefully all the kinks get worked out soon.

[@tinathomason2676]

@@indigosoftware9625 same - my distribution lists are gone. now they call them "create a group"

[@Kennedy-y5s]

Much appreciated for the insight on changing the interface to legacy. I was stuck and no other video addresses this issue.

[@indigosoftware9625]

Glad we could help!

[@SarmadTechLab]

Only 800 subs? You deserve more.

[@indigosoftware9625]

We're working on it ;) Thank you!

[@coachbonnie]

Very helpful! One thing that I miss from the old version is that a new email would open as its own pop-up screen (I could then click "Window" tab and see the open drafts). Now a new or message or reply does not open as a pop-up, and instead I have to go get it from the Drafts folder. Any idea if the new version allows you to keep open automatically without double-clicking it from the Drafts folder?

[@indigosoftware9625]

Found a forum online answering your exact question with visuals! This way you can see how to enable in preferences: answers.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook_com/forum/all/how-to-cause-the-new-outlook-for-mac-to-open-a-pop/212cb16a-d3e2-4c70-bf20-c4b1a5528e53 Let us know if this solves your issue!

[@stevendrowe]

Outlook Mac forced me switch from legacy to new twice, about two months in between. It’s taken the PM team at Microsoft 2 years+ to work on this version and it’s still not quite there yet. Rules don’t work but did in legacy. Also, many basic features. They haven’t fixed un-viewable emails if they come with a digital certificate which many of my academic colleagues use. I am tempted to move to Thunderbird.

[@indigosoftware9625]

It seems neglected on Mac, and you're certainly right about all of the features that you can't get with the "new" outlook version. One thought I had.. Do you have automatic application updates turned on? I couldn't find anything about your issue online but maybe if you turn off automatic updates that will prevent it from switching to the new version.

[@stevendrowe]

@@indigosoftware9625 I update it manually, have New Outlook button switched off but now and again I get a message which says "Try it" which forces me to the New. Each time I do provide feedback but it seems they stagnated on the project. At one time I was communicating with the PM at Microsoft but I deleted my Twitter account recently. I've connected on Mastodon with others who have similar issues including colleagues in academic institutions. Mac users have said for a long time about the lack of resources from Microsoft and some have migrated to Libre Office with Thunderbird as their email clients. It feels odd that such a large company is behind some of the smaller players when it comes to email, but most of them don't have an integrated Calendar function apart from Thunderbird.

[@GlosPolBiker]

Thank you for this video. Do you know why you cannot customise the sent folder & sub folders to show "to" & sort by date order, like you can in the windows version please?

[@indigosoftware9625]

Have you tried to use these filters on the legacy version?

[@GlosPolBiker]

@@indigosoftware9625 - Yes unfortunately there is only "To" & then "A to Z" & Groups which doesn't compile the e-mails like the windows version 😞

[@indigosoftware9625]

@@GlosPolBiker From the research I've done it seems like this is just how the Mac filters are setup unfortunately.

[@GlosPolBiker]

@@indigosoftware9625 Thank you for taking the time to research this question.

[@B-RaD5oh5]

Life saver! Now I only wish I could access Quick Steps but I guess it might not be available on Mac

[@indigosoftware9625]

It should be available for use in the Legacy version. Thanks for watching!

[@B-RaD5oh5]

@@indigosoftware9625 unfortunately for Mac I didn’t see it. Only on the web app. Maybe it’s a Windows feature only :(

[@indigosoftware9625]

@@B-RaD5oh5 could be, Unfortunately they take awhile to add in all of the food windows features to Mac

[@tifayosry]

Any idea how I love folders and rules from legacy outlook to new outlook????

[@indigosoftware9625]

Hi, there, thanks for the comment! Other than re-creating the folders and rules manually in the new UI, there isn't another way unfortunately.

[@nancyhally9430]

I am currently in the new outlook for mac and cannot find anything to help me create a group contact list. I can't find anything on my screen that gives me the "group" option. Can you help?

[@indigosoftware9625]

I'd recommend trying these steps, in the "legacy" version of outlook. You can access Legacy from the help menu: Launch the app and click the People (Contacts) icon. Go to the Home tab and click New Contact Group in the ribbon. Give your group a Name at the top. Click Add Members in the ribbon and pick From Outlook Contacts or From Address Book (per your preference).

[@classicaloracle]

You cannot rely on autofill of frequently used email addresses and have to revert to the contact book. The new message element opens up small in the middle of the page - horrible! Lots of lost emails maybe due to my mix of IMAP and POP3 accounts. Constant nags to change so I fill in my concerns and for a while the yellow bar at the top goes away - but not for long. Presently looking for another email client on Mac. Outlook on Windows is still fine - I just wish the Mac one would look and function the same!

[@indigosoftware9625]

This is a somewhat common take on Outlook for Mac unfortunately. You could always run the windows version from your Mac in a VM, which takes up almost no disk space if you're only running Office. In the meantime I'd definitely recommend sticking to the Legacy version while you use Outlook for Mac.

[@classicaloracle]

@@indigosoftware9625 Thanks, I will try that. Both my wife and I receive weekly 'nags' re the New Outlook so we have to launch, revert and then add a comment to clear the nag. Then I think - I'm paying for this! I'm absolutely happy in Outlook for Windows and must admit I can't understand why, as we Adobe products, the very same interface and functionality can't be transferred. It's never been that way of course but I think it should be.

[@natashafalke3295]

How can you group emails in inbox by category? You can do that in Legacy but not the new outlook for Mac.

[@indigosoftware9625]

Unfortunately, that is correct. You are currently unable to do this in the “new” outlook for mac. The alternative would be creating your folders through the Mac “mail” application or through gmail if you’re using it. We have a video covering this and other topics coming later this month. Let us know if you have any other questions!

[@NiceDrive_Good5]

My outlook doesn't giveme the option to revert to legacy. its the online 365

[@indigosoftware9625]

You'd need to download the desktop application version to access the legacy mode.

[@akabraille]

I'm not sure if other viewers have mentioned this but the top part of the screen you are sharing is cut off so when you are referring to the toggle "switch" at the top part of the application we are not able to see it on the video.

[@indigosoftware9625]

Hey, thanks so much for pointing that out. I actually didn't notice this myself. I'll ensure that the screen recording doesn't get cropped out in future posts.

[@lethanhdung9184]

Sorry to say that you are so handsome :D

[@Jodibean]

I don’t have the option to revert back why is this ?

[@indigosoftware9625]

Search for legacy in help, the toggle option will then appear once you're in legacy mode.

[@edtepperphotoart2264]

The fact that the new version "looks like Gmail" is a HUGE NEGATIVE I HATE IT

[@indigosoftware9625]

I agree. I prefer the classic ribbon and tabs over the new design.

[@808rocker808]

He's so fine 😍