Global Address List in the new outlook

Question

Global Address List in the new outlook

Ana Zamora 10

where is the Address Book: Global Address List? the only place I found was under people, but you have to know who you are looking for.

M A Edwards 15 Reputation points

2026-07-16T14:32:41.9+00:00

If you're trying to search for a distribution or dynamic list, not having direct access to the GAL makes it difficult to find if we are not able to use other search criteria like previously. Very unhappy with this change in the new Outlook. =(
Anonymous

2026-07-16T18:51:36.0033333+00:00

Hello M,

You may also wish to submit feedback through the Feedback option in Outlook, as I mentioned earlier. Sharing your experience directly with the product team can help highlight the impact of these changes and may contribute to future improvements.
Martin W 0 Reputation points

2026-07-18T23:57:46.93+00:00

Want to try something even more frustrating?? Try adding people to an actual meeting invite when you can't access the GAL. All it shows is "suggested comments" no matter what I do.

Not sure how in the heck you can have an email or calendar product where you can't actually add people to the meeting or email...Brilliant!!! Oh, Co-Pilot was beyond useless as usual.

Also MSFT, why not connect the product questions to your feedback portal as this is the most accurate feedback you will get instead of asking the customer/user to click around in this maddening UX just to fill out a 37 question survey.

3 answers

Your answer

M A Edwards 15 Reputation points

2026-07-16T14:32:41.9+00:00

If you're trying to search for a distribution or dynamic list, not having direct access to the GAL makes it difficult to find if we are not able to use other search criteria like previously. Very unhappy with this change in the new Outlook. =(
Anonymous

2026-07-16T18:51:36.0033333+00:00

Hello M,

You may also wish to submit feedback through the Feedback option in Outlook, as I mentioned earlier. Sharing your experience directly with the product team can help highlight the impact of these changes and may contribute to future improvements.
Martin W 0 Reputation points

2026-07-18T23:57:46.93+00:00

Want to try something even more frustrating?? Try adding people to an actual meeting invite when you can't access the GAL. All it shows is "suggested comments" no matter what I do.

Not sure how in the heck you can have an email or calendar product where you can't actually add people to the meeting or email...Brilliant!!! Oh, Co-Pilot was beyond useless as usual.

Also MSFT, why not connect the product questions to your feedback portal as this is the most accurate feedback you will get instead of asking the customer/user to click around in this maddening UX just to fill out a 37 question survey.

Answer 1

Global Address List (GAL) functionality in New Outlook - Feature Request you can Vote for.

At this point about all any of us can do is Vote For/Comment On these Feature Request and hope that someone from Microsoft Office Development notices. (You must "Sign In" at the top right of the Feedback page before you can vote).

Can search for people in the GAL but need the ability to browse the GAL
https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/idea/ff6b0d8a-9c3c-f011-a2d9-7c1e5299279a

A full, browsable GAL view comparable to Classic Outlook.
https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/idea/f72fa9d6-6928-f111-9730-0022485314bc

Restore Advanced Find and Department Search
https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/idea/43a6bb47-1308-f111-83da-7c1e5292c259

Or, if none of these describe your complaints, you can create a new Feature Request.
https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/post
(Please put a link to your new Feature Request in a comment to this Answer and I'll include it in the above list).

Answer 2

In the new Outlook for Windows, the Global Address List (GAL) is accessed through the same address book dialog that appears when addressing a message, not as a separate “Address Book” button like in classic Outlook.

To open and browse the GAL in new Outlook:

Select New mail from the Home tab.
On the new message, select To, Cc, or Bcc.
The address book dialog opens. If the account is on Exchange/Microsoft 365, the default list shown is typically the organization’s Global Address List.
Use the Address Book drop-down (if available) to confirm or switch to Global Address List if another list (such as Contacts) is selected.
From there, scroll or search within the GAL to find recipients and add them to To, Cc, or Bcc.

If using Outlook with an Exchange Server or Microsoft 365 account, the GAL is automatically included in the address book hierarchy and appears in this dialog when selecting recipients.

References:

Answer 3

Hi @Ana Zamora,

Good day, and I appreciate the clear explanation of your concern.

Based on my research, the experience you are seeing may be related to how the Global Address List (GAL) works a bit differently in the new Outlook for Windows. The Global Adress List is still available, but it may not appear as a separate “Address Book” like it did before in Classic Outlook.

In the new Outlook, access to the directory appears to be more search-based, rather than something you can browse through. Besides checking under the People tab, you can also access it when creating a new email by simply clicking on the To, Cc, or Bcc button, and a directory panel will open where you can search for users.

User's image

I understand how that can feel a little difficult, especially if you’re used to scrolling through the full list of users. If being able to browse the directory is important for your work, and considering that others may have a similar experience, it may be helpful to share your feedback through the Outlook (new) · Community portal. Customer feedback plays an important role in influencing product enhancements, and your voice could help bring attention to a feature that many people would truly benefit from.

User's image

Once you've submitted your feedback, feel free to share the link here in the comments. I’ll be happy to upvote it to help bring more visibility.

As community moderators, we kindly ask for your understanding that our access to internal development details is limited. Our primary role is to guide users toward the appropriate resources and support channels. While we may not have influenced product design decisions and have limited access to internal development details, we’ll continue doing our best to support you within the scope of our responsibilities.

Additionally, since many other users have expressed similar concerns but may not know where to submit feedback, if my response has helped you better understand the situation and guided you toward a possible next step, please mark it as the “Accepted Answer.” Your action will help pin this post to the top, making it easier for others in the community who are experiencing the same issue to find your feedback and support it.

I hope this information is helpful. Please feel free to share any additional details if you need further assistance.

Thank you again for your time and for raising this important usability concern.

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