Customize the Ribbon in Outlook

Outlook 2016
Outlook allows you to customize the ribbon to display buttons conveniently (Classic ribbon) and to provide as much screen space as possible (Simplified ribbon) for viewing messages, events, or contacts. Additionally, Outlook for Windows allows you to collapse (or minimize), auto-hide the Ribbon, and restore it quickly.
  • The Classic view displays the full predefined set of buttons on the several tabs. You can customize your own tabs, groups, and buttons.
  • The Simplified view displays only the most popular buttons for each tab. To display all existing buttons on the tab, click the More commands button (three points at the very right of the tab). Clicking the ellipsis (···) or three dots on the right side allows you to open the drop-down list with a full list of buttons of the current tab.

Switch between Simplified and Classic views of the ribbon in Outlook for Windows

By default, Outlook for Windows displays the ribbon in the Simplified view:

Simplified Ribbon in Outlook 365

To display the ribbon in the Classic view, click the Switch Ribbons button on the bottom right corner of the ribbon:

Switch Ribbons button in Outlook 365

Outlook for Windows displays the ribbon in the Classic view:

Classic Ribbon in Outlook 365

To return to the Simplified view, click the Switch Ribbons button again.

Note: If you switch the ribbon view in one open Outlook window, all other open windows will also change their view.

Switch between Simplified and Classic views of the ribbon in Outlook for Web

By default, Outlook for Web, like Outlook for Windows, displays the ribbon in the Simplified view:

Simplified Ribbon in Outlook for Web

To display the ribbon in the Classic view, click the Ribbon display options button to the right of the ribbon, then choose Classic ribbon from the Layout dropdown list:

Ribbon display options button in Outlook for Web

Outlook for Web displays the ribbon on the Classic view:

Classic Ribbon in Outlook for Web

To return to the Simplified view, click the Ribbon display options button, then choose the view you prefer from the Layout dropdown list.

Note: If you switch the ribbon view in one open Outlook window, all other open windows will also change their view.

Collapse the Ribbon to get more space on the screen in Outlook for Windows

To collapse (or minimize) the ribbon in Outlook for Windows, do one of the following:

  • Double-click the label of the tab you are currently using.
  • Press Ctrl+F1.
  • In the Ribbon displays options list, choose Show Tabs:
Show Tabs - Ribbon displays options in Outlook 365

Outlook for Microsoft displays the collapsed (minimized) ribbon:

Collapsed, minimized ribbon in Outlook 365

While the ribbon is minimized, click any tab to turn it back on temporarily. It will automatically hide when you finish using it:

Temporarely minimized ribbon in Outlook 365

or

Classic Ribbon in Outlook 365

Note: Outlook uses the Simplified or Classic ribbon depending on your last customization before collapsing the ribbon. You can still change the view by clicking the Switch Ribbons button on the bottom right corner of the ribbon.

Auto-hide the Ribbon to get more space on screen in Outlook for Windows

To hide the ribbon completely, just choose Auto-hide Ribbon in the Ribbon displays options list:

Auto-hide Ribbon - Ribbon displays options in Outlook 365

Outlook for Windows hides the ribbon and shows three dots near the upper-right corner of the screen instead:

Hiden ribbon in Outlook 365

Click the three dots button to redisplay the ribbon temporarily. When you return to the email body, the ribbon hides again.

Expand the Ribbon in Outlook for Windows

To expand the ribbon back to its normal size when you want to have it displayed again, do one of the following:

  • Double-click the current tab again.
  • Press Ctrl+F1.
  • In the Ribbon displays options list, choose Show Tabs and Commands:
Show Tabs and Commands - Ribbon displays options in Outlook 365

See also this tip in French: Comment réduire le ruban pour obtenir plus d'espace à l'écran dans Outlook.

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