Learn About Conversations

  • Article

Applies to: Office 365 for professionals and small businesses, Office 365 for enterprises, Microsoft Exchange, Live@edu

By default, Outlook Web App uses Conversation view in all e-mail folders whenever the Reading Pane is turned on. Conversation view displays every message in a conversation in a single view.

How do I use Conversation view?

Conversation view shows all messages in a conversation, no matter what folder they're stored in. For example, if you've replied to a message in your Inbox, you'll see both the original message and your reply in Conversation view.

In the List view, use the arrow next to a conversation to expand or collapse the conversation. The List view will show:

  • The subject at the top of the conversation.
  • The person who sent each message.
  • What time the message was received, if it's stored in the current folder.
  • What folder the message is in, if it's not the current folder.
  • The relationship of the message to other messages in the conversation, indicated by a vertical line and dots.

You can click any message in Conversation view to see it in the Reading Pane.

In the Reading Pane, you can use the arrow next to a message to expand or collapse that message. The Reading Pane will show:

  • The subject at the top of the Reading Pane.
  • The sender of each message.
  • When each message was received.

When you expand a message in the Reading Pane, you'll also see:

  • Which message it's a response to (if any).
  • The folder the message is in directly under the sender's name, if the message isn't saved in the current folder.
  • The senders' and recipients' availability for IM, indicated by a colored dot next to their names. Click the dot to see a list of actions you can take.
  • The Actions menu. Click Actions to see a list of things you can do with the message.
  • The relationship of the message to other messages in the conversation, indicated by a vertical line and dots.

How do I reply to a message in Conversation view?

When you click a message in Conversation view, the most recent message is highlighted. If you click Reply reply, Reply All , or Forward forward, that's the message you'll reply to or forward.

To reply to or forward a different message in the conversation, select that message to highlight it, and then click Reply reply, Reply All , or Forward forward. You can select the message in the List View or in the Reading Pane.

You can also click Actions on a message to view of list of things you can do with that message, including reply.

How do I turn Conversation view on or off?

In the List view, click Arrange by, and then select the check box next to Conversation to turn Conversation view on (selected) or off (cleared).

What else do I need to know?

  • You can delete an entire conversation, or just parts of a conversation. You can also ignore a conversation. For more information, see Delete a Message.

What if I want to know more?