Outlook uses a variety of icons to give you quick, at-a-glance information about your messages. This article explains what each icon means across New Outlook, Outlook on the Web (OWA), the Outlook desktop app, and legacy Outlook 2016 on Windows and Mac.
Icons Common to All Outlook Versions
The following icons appear consistently across all versions and platforms of Outlook:
- A paperclip icon indicates the message has an attachment.
- A flag icon indicates you have flagged the message for follow-up.
- A checkmark icon indicates you have marked a flagged message as complete.
- An exclamation point icon indicates the sender has marked the message as high priority.
- A down arrow icon indicates the sender has marked the message as low priority.
New Outlook, Outlook on the Web (OWA), and Outlook App
These versions share a consistent, modern icon set:
- An unread message displays a bold subject line and a filled blue circle to the left of the message.
- Once a message is read, the blue circle disappears and the subject line returns to normal weight.
- A curved arrow pointing left indicates the message has been replied to.
- A curved arrow pointing right indicates the message has been forwarded.
Legacy Outlook 2016
Outlook 2016 on Windows
- A blue vertical bar to the left of a message indicates the message has not been read.
- If the reading pane is turned off, unread messages display bold blue message headings instead of the blue bar.
- Once a message is read, the blue bar and bold formatting are removed.
- An open envelope icon with a purple arrow pointing left indicates the message has been read and replied to.
- An open envelope icon with a blue arrow pointing right indicates the message has been read and forwarded.
Outlook 2016 on Mac
- A blue dot to the left of a message and bold blue message headings indicate the message has not been read.
- Once a message is read, the blue dot and bold blue headings are removed.
- An arrow pointing left indicates the message has been read and replied to.
- An arrow pointing right indicates the message has been read and forwarded.
External Resources
See Related Articles to the right for more information.