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Outlook Categories, Flags, and IMAP Accounts

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› Outlook › Outlook Categories, Flags, and IMAP Accounts

Last reviewed on June 1, 2022     122 Comments

Applies to: Outlook 2019 (Win), Outlook 2016 (Win), Outlook 2013, Outlook 2010

Categories and flags are not available in all of my folders in Microsoft Outlook. I can use categories and flags on mail in my POP3 account but categories are not available in my IMAP account and flags are limited to one flag, no reminder. Why?

The IMAP protocol doesn't support the Category and Flag properties on messages and assigned categories and flags are not synced back to the IMAP server. If you need to use categories, you need to use a POP3 account instead or move the messages to a local pst file. In place of flags (and their reminders), drag the message to Tasks (or Calendar) and set the reminder.

If using IMAP is a requirement, you can either move the mail to separate folders to separate it or use Automatic Formatting (Conditional formatting in Outlook 2010) to highlight messages meeting specific conditions. If you need reminders, drag the message to the Tasks folder and create a task with a reminder.

Categories and Flags in Outlook 2013 and newer

If having special "this computer only" folders with reduced capabilities in Outlook's IMAP accounts isn't bad enough, I'm left scratching my head when I look at the half-removed Flag and Category features users have come to expect in Outlook. There is no reason why full flags and categories shouldn't work in an ost file, but users are stuck with the IMAP implementation, where flags are limited to on or off and the Categories button is non-existent.

Whether you can add a category to an appointment or contact or add a category or reminder to a task depends on what view you are using and whether you know all the right tricks.

The category picker is missing from appointments. But you can add categories if you assign keyboard shortcuts to at least one category and apply it. Once you add a category to an appointment, you can open the category MRU by right clicking on the category bar in the open appointment.

In Contacts, all of the flag options are available. The keyboard shortcuts work for categories and as with the other Outlook items, once a category is applied, you can right click on it and make changes. You can even add categories from the options dialog (File, Properties). Yes, in the wacky world of Outlook 2013 IMAP accounts, the category picker on the Options dialog is disabled on mail, appointments, and tasks but it works on Contacts.

A user discovered the trick to creating full reminders and color categories on tasks: select more than one. When you right click on one task, you'll get the short IMAP version of the context menu, with options to Flag, Mark Complete, or Delete. The only option for Categories is Clear All Categories (when you click on the Category column). Select 2 or more tasks and viola! The full flag and category menus appears on the context menu. In an open Task, the Categorize button has one option: clear all but keyboard shortcuts will add categories… and yes, the full category menu is available on the right-click context menu.

The user went on to add "My solution right now is to just have a "dummy" task that I can select with the other tasks I want to change, but it's a pain to work around a bug like this, especially since Microsoft is expecting me to pay monthly for the software."

Flags with IMAP accounts

The flag options for IMAP accounts is limitedWhen an IMAP account is configured in Outlook, there is just one option for flags: either flagged or not flagged.

You may occasionally receive an error message when flagging items in IMAP accounts. This error is because Outlook is syncing with the server. Select a different message then switch back to the original message and you should be able to flag messages without error.

The operation cannot be performed because the message has been changed

Message was change error

If you need to set a reminder, drag the message to the Task folder to create a task.

 

Using Categories with IMAP Accounts Workaround

These instructions are for Outlook 2010 and below or Outlook 2013 and newer when you have a separate pst file for calendar and contacts, in addition to the IMAP data file. Use the instructions in the next section when you use only the IMAP account and use the 'this computer only' folder for Calendar and Contacts.

While you can't change how flags work (except by moving the mail to a local pst), it is possible to trick Outlook into letting you add categories to IMAP messages.

The easy way:

  1. While viewing a folder in a data file that supports categories, expand the Categories button and choose All Categories to open the Color Category manager.
    Add a shortcut in the color categories dialog
  2. Add keyboard shortcuts to your categories. Since you are limited to 10, start with the most frequently used categories.
  3. Select (or open) the message and press the shortcut. Yes, the shortcuts work on IMAP messages.

If you need to assign a category that does not have a keyboard shortcut assigned, add a category using a shortcut then open the message and right-click in the category area above the subject field.

Choose the category from the list before removing existing categories from the message.

In most cases, the category name will "stick" and sync to other computers running Outlook. However, colors are per message store so each computer will have it's own list of colors. How to Upgrade to Color Categories has instructions on how to quickly add categories to your master category list.

View the Categories in the Message List

The default IMAP view removed the Categories column from the message list view but you should see the category in the Reading pane or in opened messages. To see the category colors in the message list, you will need to customize the view.
the default view has no categories

  1. Switch to the View tab.
  2. Click View Settings button.
  3. Click Columns.
  4. Select Categories, click Add.
  5. Move Categories up or down to place it just after Subject.
    add the categories field to the view
  6. Close dialogs.

after adding the field, you see the categories

 

Outlook 2013 and newer with only the IMAP data file

The instructions above are for IMAP accounts in Outlook 2010 and below, or when you have a .pst file in a profile with an IMAP account in Outlook 2013 and newer. When you don't have a .pst in your profile (and are using the 'this computer only' folder for Calendar and Contacts), you can set up category shortcuts using these steps:

  1. Open a new Contact (or Appointment form) and click it's File, Properties button. Note: this only works on new items. After you save and close the item, the category button is disabled.
    Open a contact, click file, properties
  2. Click on Categories at the bottom then All Categories. (This only works on new contacts, appointments, and tasks. After the item is closed and reopened, the category button is disabled.)
    contact properties dialog
  3. Set up some categories and assign keyboard shortcuts.
    Add a shortcut in the color categories dialog
  4. Close the dialog.

Now you can use the shortcuts to assign categories to email, appointments, and contacts. After you add a category to an item, you can right-click on the Category InfoBar (see screenshot in previous section above) and select other categories.

You can add the Message Options button to the Quick Access Toolbar in the Appointment and Contacts forms so you can use the dialog to add categories to new, unsaved items.
message options command

Add Category Field to the View

You can customize the Message list view and add the Category field to the view. However, this only allows you to use the quick click category. You can open the message and right click on the category bar to select more categories.

Using Category Shortcuts Video Tutorial

 

Use VBA to Display Category Options

Paste this into the VB Editor and add it to the toolbar or ribbon. Click the toolbar button to open the Category dialog. Add it to the QAT, ribbon, or toolbar. This works with messages or other Outlook items selected in the list views or opened in a new window.

Public Sub CategorizeIMAP()
     Dim sel As Outlook.Selection
     Set sel = Application.ActiveExplorer.Selection
 
    If sel Is Nothing Then
         Exit Sub
     End If
 
    Dim obj As Object
     Dim selCats As String
     Dim gotCats As Boolean
 
    For Each obj In sel
         If Not gotCats Then
             obj.ShowCategoriesDialog
             selCats = obj.Categories
             gotCats = True
         Else
             obj.Categories = selCats
             obj.Save
         End If
     Next obj
 End Sub

 

Adding Categories to Opened Items

This simple code can be added to the QAT, toolbar, or ribbon of any Outlook form. It only works on opened items but will work on recurring appointments.

Add the following code to the VB Editor and then add a button to the QAT, Ribbon, or Toolbar of any Outlook form. Click the button to open the Category dialog.

This code does not work with selected messages in the message list, you need to open the message (or other Outlook item) in a new window. This macro will work with recurring appointments.

Public Sub ShowCategoriesDialog()
'by Michael Bauer
'http://www.vboffice.net/en/developers/assign-email-categories-before-sending

  Dim Item As Object
  Set Item = Application.ActiveInspector.CurrentItem
  Item.ShowCategoriesDialog
End Sub

This version of the macro will work with either an opened item or a selected item. (If you select more than one item, it only works on the first item.)

You can use this macro as you create items or use it to add categories later. It will work with recurring events.
It only works with the opened or first selected event; it does not work on multiple selections.

Public Sub CategorizeIMAPItems()
    Dim objApp As Outlook.Application
    Dim Item As Object
     
    Set objApp = Application
    
   Select Case TypeName(objApp.ActiveWindow)
        Case "Explorer"
            Set Item = objApp.ActiveExplorer.Selection.Item(1)
        Case "Inspector"
            Set Item  = objApp.ActiveInspector.CurrentItem
    End Select
     
    If Item Is Nothing Then Exit Sub

     Dim obj As Object
     Dim selCats As String
     Dim gotCats As Boolean

With Item 
         If Not gotCats Then
             .ShowCategoriesDialog
             selCats = .Categories
             gotCats = True
         Else
             .Categories = selCats
             .Save
         End If
End With

End Sub

How to use macros

First: You will need macro security set to low during testing.

To check your macro security in Outlook 2010 or newer, go to File, Options, Trust Center and open Trust Center Settings, and change the Macro Settings. In Outlook 2007 and older, it’s at Tools, Macro Security.

After you test the macro and see that it works, you can either leave macro security set to low or sign the macro.

Open the VBA Editor by pressing Alt+F11 on your keyboard.

To put the code in a module:

  1. Right click on Project1 and choose Insert > Module
  2. Copy and paste the macro into the new module.

More information as well as screenshots are at How to use the VBA Editor

Category Utilities

 

Tools in the Spotlight

Category Manager

Category Manager allows sharing of color categories; it adds a sidebar to the folder view as well as opened items, in which you can group your categories and assign them lightning fast; and it adds a reminder, which optionally prompts you if you forget to assign a category. Version 3

Tools

CategorieZ

CategorieZ adds a sidebar to Outlook allowing instant access to your categories. Select a contact and instantly see the categories assigned, need to make changes, easy just use the checkboxes. Set filters to show only the items in specific categories.

Outlook Categories, Flags, and IMAP Accounts was last modified: June 1st, 2022 by Diane Poremsky
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Related Posts:

  • Creating New Color Categories
  • How to automatically print sent messages
  • Sending Categories on Email Messages
  • Outlook 2013: Set reminders on Tasks in an IMAP account

About Diane Poremsky

A Microsoft Outlook Most Valuable Professional (MVP) since 1999, Diane is the author of several books, including Outlook 2013 Absolute Beginners Book. She also created video training CDs and online training classes for Microsoft Outlook. You can find her helping people online in Outlook Forums as well as in the Microsoft Answers and TechNet forums.

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Shayne (@guest_219741)
September 26, 2022 10:36 pm
#219741

Hi There,

we are using outlook 365 app and when we add new categories they are not showing the Message preview untill we close and reopen outlook.
Is there a fix to this it has only just started to do this over the last week

0
0
Reply
Arjun Kochhar (@guest_219666)
August 26, 2022 4:25 am
#219666

Hi Diane,

I just shifted to Outlook 2016 now with an IMAP account and I have imported my old pst file (with emails and tasks).

And while all my emails have synced, may tasks are not syncing from outlook to my email server.

But the main problem is what I'm having with is the way my tasks are working in outlook:

1) Once a right click a task it only shows flag message, mark complete and clear flag- previously it gave me many options for changing dates etc.

2) I cannot even drag and move a task up and down from the task list.

Please can you help in solving this problem.

0
0
Reply
Diane Poremsky(@diane-poremsky)
Author
Reply to  Arjun Kochhar
August 26, 2022 10:58 am
#219669

1. This is a limitation of IMAP accounts. They don't fully support flags, so you only havd flag on, flag off.
2. This is due to the view you are using.
https://www.outlook-tips.net/tips/tip-drag-reorder-todo-list/

Actual tasks do not sync with IMAP accounts. they should be in a folder named 'tasks (this computer only)'

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Reply
David McAlister (@guest_219550)
July 18, 2022 1:00 pm
#219550

Another method seems to have worked so far. In Outlook365 email, I do a Search for a particular sender's email address. When the list of emails from and to that sender comes up, I apply a Category, like "Medical." The categories SEEM to stick, although it's a little flaky. I do the same in Calendar. When I search for a recurring appointment and the list of occurences comes up, Outlook lets me assign a Category, like "Bills." In the past, the categories have all disappeared when I did a Sync with my Google calendar. But using this method, the categories and their colors seem (again: seem, again: so far) to stick.

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0
Reply
Lisa E (@guest_219502)
July 3, 2022 4:16 pm
#219502

Yes!! I'm so happy I found this article! I'm in the same boat as another commenter--I use Gmail and Outlook, and first Gmail forced me to upgrade to Office 2019 because of the additional security required; then they forced me to switch to IMAP, and then I found I couldn't use my beloved color categories. The procedure with IMAP only data file worked like a charm. I don't use Contacts, but so what? It worked! Thank you thank you thank you!!!

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Reply
Faye (@guest_219299)
May 20, 2022 1:01 am
#219299

Diane, this is so wonderful, you is VERY clever!
I use Outlook 365 for my day-to-day email. I have just had to change from POP to IMAP due to Gmail being a dick and 'Lo' not able to use 'categories', which I need so my less computer savvy husband can look to see what's printed, paid, pending, completed etc. Now after following your clear and pictorial instructions we now have our colour codes in the main body of the email and also in the message list again. (This woke me up last night trying to figure out all scenarios...hate that)
One little thing which I may have missed but made the world of difference is you need to have your 'F-Lock' Key turned on. I keep mine off mostly for doing screenshots (Prt Scr + Window key).
Any way grateful thanks, I truly am just over the moon, hate it when a computer tells me 'No'.
Faye

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0
Reply
Don Pinkleton (@guest_219180)
February 18, 2022 1:46 pm
#219180

Thank you, thank you, thank you!
At least I now have a workaround for IMAP/SMTP email protocol Outlook 2021 calendar categories (which MS disabled in their "improvements.")
A kind Dell support tech showed me how to create the keyboard shortcuts, but I couldn't figure out how to use them in calendar.
You're the only one who gave me something I could follow on this issue.
Blessings be upon you, your camels, sheep and children!

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Reply
Gary Reed (@guest_217468)
January 20, 2021 8:58 pm
#217468

Hi Diane. How clunky can Microsoft get? Setting a date&time to follow-up an email you are sending (or have sent) is fundamental to communications - business and personal. If the email is dragged to the Task folder, you can set the reminder date&time. However the original email is then no longer in the email folder (and you cannot copy it back) so you have lost the record of sent/received emails. Copy the email (rather than move it) keeps the original Email and gives you a Task with date&time reminder. As Sargent Schultz said in Hogan's Heros "Very interestink but schtupid"

0
0
Reply
Diane Poremsky(@diane-poremsky)
Author
Reply to  Gary Reed
January 20, 2021 11:23 pm
#217469

>> How clunky can Microsoft get? 
Probably not a question you want to ask them. :)

>> However the original email is then no longer in the email folder 
Right-click Drag to make a copy.

It's only an issue with IMAP accounts because the properties are not supported by most IMAP servers.

0
0
Reply
Thomas Chisangwi (@guest_217461)
January 20, 2021 1:15 am
#217461

Hi Diane, please assist me. I have a group email in my accounts department with four users on it. They are all on Office 13, the point is i tried to run Categories to a point where one actions a mail and categorize it with their chosen color. It should alert or appear to the rest on the users in group mail that the request was auctioned with by a certain user with that specific color.

This has failed to show to the rest of the group, only applies/appears to the user that has auctioned only. Is IMAP able to support fully on group email categories?

Please assist.

Thomas

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0
Reply

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