Outlook: Moving / Copying Message to Another Folder

Summary

This article describes how to copy or move outlook items from one folder to another. Follow the link to the task you want to achieve:

 

How-To

Task: To move or copy Outlook messages from one folder to another folder.

 

Instructions

Outlook provides you with folders to save and organize your email messages. You can move or copy messages between folders in several different ways.

  • Drag-and-drop
  • Copy or Move options
  • Move or copy using the clipboard

 

Outcome

You can now move or copy Outlook messages from one folder to another folder.

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Task: To move using drag-and-drop.

 

Instructions

Step 1 - Select the message that you want to move. Do not release the mouse button.

Step 2 - Drag the message to the destination folder.

Step 3 - Release the mouse button.

Note: If the folder you want to move or copy the message to does not display because it is in a collapsed folder, hover the mouse pointer over the collapsed folder icon and the subfolders displays. Repeat this as necessary until the folder you want displays.

 

Outcome

The selected message is relocated to the destination folder. If the item you moved is a public folder or a SharePoint list, dragging it to another folder results in a Copy of the item to be created in the destination folder.

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Task: To move or copy using the Copy or Move options.

 

Instructions

Step 1 - Right-click on the message that you want to copy or move.

Step 2 - From the menu, select Copy or Move.

Step 3 - To copy or move the message to a folder, select the folder from the list.

Note: If your folder isn't listed, you can Search for a folder, or select Copy to a different folder or Move to a different folder.

Move or Copy message menu expanded to show folder options.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outcome

The message is copied or moved from its original folder and pasted or moved into the destination folder.

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Task: To move or copy using the clipboard.

 

Instructions

Step 1 - Select the message you want to move or copy.

Step 2 - Right-click and select

  • Cut to move.
  • Copy to copy.
Note: Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcuts.
  • To copy the item: Press the Ctrl+C keys simultaneously.
  • To move the item: Press the Ctrl+X keys simultaneously.

Step 3 - Select the destination folder.

Step 4 - Press the Ctrl+V keys simultaneously.

 

Outcome

The message is cut or copied from its original folder and pasted into the destination folder.

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Task: To select adjacent messages that you want to move or copy.

You can also move or copy multiple messages at the same time.

 

Instructions

Step 1 - Click the first message that you want to move or copy.

Step 2 - Hold down Shift key.

Step 3 - Click the last message that you want to move or copy.

 

Outcome

All messages in the list between the first and last message you clicked are selected, and ready to move or copy.

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Task: To select nonadjacent messages that you want to move or copy.

 

Instructions

Step 1 - Click the first message that you want to move or copy.

Step 2 - Hold down Ctrl key.

Step 3 - Click additional messages that you want to move or copy.

 

Outcome

All messages that you selected, are ready to move or copy.

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Need additional help?

For assistance concerning site creation, content sharing, file synchronization, or other common SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams, or Office app activities, we recommend our Microsoft 365 Learning sites:

Learn more about the great tools our Microsoft 365 Learning sites offer!

Visit the Technology Help Desk Support page to locate your local campus contact information or to submit an online technology support request.  For password issues you must call or visit the Help Desk in person.