How to Add Emojis in Microsoft Outlook Messages
Emojis have become an essential part of modern communication, adding personality and emotion to text-based interactions.
Whether you’re sending a casual email to a friend or trying to make your professional communication a bit more engaging, emojis can be a great addition to your messages.
This guide will show you how to add emojis to your emails in Microsoft Outlook, whether you’re using the desktop app, web version, or mobile app.
Why Use Emojis in Microsoft Outlook Emails?
Emojis help convey tone and emotion, making your messages more relatable and engaging. They can add a personal touch to your emails and even help to break the ice in professional settings.
For example, a smiley face can soften the tone of a formal email, while a thumbs up can quickly acknowledge a message.
However, it’s important to use them sparingly and appropriately, especially in professional emails, to maintain a balance between casual and formal communication.
How to Add Emojis in Microsoft Outlook Desktop App
If you are using the Outlook desktop app, here’s how you can easily add emojis to your messages:
- Launch the Outlook desktop app on your Windows or Mac device.
- Click on “New Email” to begin composing your message.
- On Windows, press Windows Key + Period (.) or Windows Key + Semicolon (;). On Mac, press Command + Control + Space.
- The emoji picker will appear. You can browse through categories of emojis or search for the one you need.
- Once you find the emoji you want to use, click on it, and it will be inserted into your email.
It’s that simple! Now you can add emojis to your emails to make them more colorful and expressive.
Adding Emojis in Outlook Web App (OWA)
If you’re using Outlook Web App (OWA) in a browser, the process is slightly different. Here’s how to insert emojis in your emails:
- Open your browser and go to Outlook.com, then sign in with your account.
- Click on the “New Message” button to compose a new email.
- Click the smiley face icon in the formatting toolbar at the bottom of the email composition window.
- A pop-up emoji picker will appear. Select the emoji you want to add to your email body.
- Once selected, the emoji will be inserted directly into your email.
This method is simple and accessible through any browser.
How to Use Emojis in the Outlook Mobile App
On mobile devices, adding emojis to emails is just as easy. Here’s how to do it on both iOS and Android:
- iOS (iPhone/iPad):
- Open the Outlook app and start composing a new email.
- Tap into the body of the email where you want to insert the emoji.
- Tap on the smiley face icon on your iPhone’s keyboard.
- Browse through the available emojis and select the one you wish to add.
- Android:
- Open the Outlook app on your Android device and create a new message.
- Tap into the message body.
- Tap on the smiley face on your Android keyboard to open the emoji section.
- Select the emoji you’d like to insert.
Now your email will have a personal touch with your favorite emoji.
Emoji Shortcuts in Outlook
Using keyboard shortcuts is a quick way to insert emojis into your emails. Here are the shortcuts for both Windows and Mac:
- Windows: Press Windows Key + Period (.) or Windows Key + Semicolon (;). This will open the emoji picker.
- Mac: Press Command + Control + Space to bring up the emoji picker.
These shortcuts can save you time, especially if you’re composing emails frequently and want to add emojis quickly.
Can You Add Custom Emojis in Outlook?
While Outlook allows you to use standard emojis, creating or adding custom emojis directly within the app isn’t officially supported. However, if you’re using Microsoft 365, you can upload images to use as custom emoji-like icons in your emails.
To add a custom emoji:
- Create or select the image you want to use as an emoji.
- Upload the image to your email using the “Insert Picture” option in Outlook.
Although these won’t be “true” emojis, they can still add a unique touch to your messages.
Limitations of Using Emojis in Outlook
There are a few limitations you should keep in mind when using emojis in Outlook:
- Subject Line: Emojis are not always supported in the subject line across all devices and platforms, so avoid overusing them there.
- Compatibility: Emojis might look different on various devices and email clients. For instance, what looks like a smiley face on your screen may appear differently on a recipient’s device.
- Overuse: Emojis are great for adding personality, but overusing them can detract from the message’s seriousness, especially in professional settings.
To avoid these issues, use emojis sparingly and appropriately, considering the context of the email.
Conclusion: Using Emojis Effectively in Outlook
Emojis can make your emails more engaging and expressive, whether you’re using the desktop app, web version, or mobile app of Outlook. While adding emojis is simple, it’s important to use them wisely and consider the context of your message. Professional emails may benefit from a few well-chosen emojis, but always keep your audience and message in mind.
Now that you know how to add emojis in Outlook, go ahead and spice up your messages with some fun and personality. Just remember to keep it balanced and appropriate, especially when sending emails in professional environments.
