Where is the master categories list in outlook

Another option is to tag the subject using a consistent term or phrase and then set up a conditional format automatic formatting in based on that tag to color-code incoming mail.

This last option isn't available in Outlook In older versions, you could select a category by typing the first letter or so in its name, which is helpful when you have a long list. This feature appears to be missing in the newer versions, but it's still there. Once you display the All Categories dialog, start typing and Outlook will select categories accordingly. For instance, if you want to select a category named Waiting, type W.

When Outlook highlights Waiting, press Spacebar to select it. You can remove custom categories and restore the out-of-box defaults by launching Outlook with the following switch: outlook. This action is permanent, so don't do it just to see how it works. I hesitate to offer this tip because someone will unintentionally delete a custom list.

However, you can restore categories still in use see Categories are more than just visual clues. You can also use them to group and search items. To group by category, click the Categories header in the title bar.

Or you can populate a search folder as follows:. Deleting categories once they no longer apply is easy. Right-click the Categories field, choose Clear All Categories, and uncheck the category that no longer applies. Repeating this process for a batch of items would be tedious — and fortunately, it's unnecessary.

To remove categories from a group of items, sort by category or populate a search folder see In a simple sort, select grouped messages by holding down the Shift key while clicking the first and last message in the group. Then, right-click the Categories field and uncheck the appropriate categories. You can also select Clear All Categories, but use caution. Doing so will remove them all, even categories you forgot you were using and might not want to remove.

You probably hadn't considered using categories with a mail merge! In People Contacts in older versions , assign categories as you would to any other item.

When you're ready to merge, do the following:. If you inadvertently delete your customized master list, you can restore it somewhat , as follows:. This process will reclaim categories currently assigned to items, so it's not a full restoration, but it's a good start.

I left this one for last because the information's growing old as more users upgrade. Outlook will maintain custom categories when you upgrade, but it might need a little help from you. If so, repeat the process in Doing so will convert your existing master list and assign random colors to them if necessary. You'll have to repeat this for each account in your profile. Unfortunately, this process doesn't work consistently in Outlook I'm sorry that I am having such a hard time with this and thank you in advance for all your patience and understanding.

Again, I apologize for my difficulty in understanding this. I must say, however, seems odd that when I open the categories box and see items that indicate that they are not in the "Master Category List" that it is so difficult to find that list. And when I try "help" on Master Category List, I get a few items that absolutely make no sense at all. Thanks for the response but I'm not looking for or am I concerned with the color categories Choose where you want to search below Search Search the Community.

Search the community and support articles Outlook Outlook. This thread is locked. You can follow the question or vote as helpful, but you cannot reply to this thread. I have the same question Report abuse. Details required :. Cancel Submit.

How satisfied are you with this reply? Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site. For a similar issue discussing the same solution see; Missing categories when transferring to Outlook on a new computer First, thank you for your quick response. In reply to MPBarber's post on January 11, Found the mailbox, lower left corner but no "Data File Properties" just Open in new window, dock the peek, show the peek and options.

Checked options but nothing about categories. I got a new PC with Outlook on it. I copied the pst-file from my old computer running an older version of Outlook to the new one but now I'm missing all my Categories in Outlook. Actually, your categories are still there. Starting with Outlook , the Master Category List is stored within the mailbox pst-file, ost-file or Exchange mailbox as opposed to previous versions of Outlook which stored them in the Registry.

If you are coming from Outlook or previous or when you have imported your pst-file rather than reconnected it to Outlook or reconfigured it with you account , then Outlook will need to rebuild the Master Category list.