How can I get Outlook to automatically suggest email addresses while typing?

Reed Samantha 0 Reputation points
2026-08-14T04:10:01.9566667+00:00

In the previous version of Outlook, I could simply type a few letters in the To field and Outlook would automatically suggest matching contacts or email addresses without requiring me to manually search for or select a recipient first. Since switching to the newer version of Outlook, this feature does not seem to work the same way. How can I enable or restore automatic email address suggestions when composing a message?

Outlook | Windows | New Outlook for Windows | For business
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  1. Hornblower409 16,200 Reputation points
    2026-08-14T18:33:55.7666667+00:00

    @Reed Samantha said

    How can I enable or restore automatic email address suggestions when composing a message?

    In addition to the other suggestions - The New Outlook for Windows Suggested People/Autocomplete cache depends on two settings:

    File -> Settings -> General -> Privacy and data -> Suggested People. Must be ON/Enabled.

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    File -> Settings -> General -> Privacy and data -> [Privacy settings] -> Connected experiences. Must be ON/Enabled.

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  2. Hani-Ng 2,070 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-08-14T04:35:37.0833333+00:00

    Hi Reed Samantha

    As AI's answer has already suggested, please first test by typing a few characters directly into the To, Cc, or Bcc field and verify whether Outlook displays any matching recipients. If not, try locating the same recipient through the Address Book to confirm that the contact can be found by Outlook

    One additional point to be aware of is that New Outlook works differently from Classic Outlook. In the legacy Outlook experience, many users relied on a local AutoComplete cache that stored previously used email addresses. In New Outlook, recipient suggestions are generated from a combination of your Contacts, your organization's Global Address List (GAL), and recipients you've interacted with previously. Because of this architectural change, the suggestion experience may differ from what you were accustomed to in the older client.

    If you're expecting suggestions for recipients you've never emailed before and who aren't saved in your contacts, try testing with:

    • A contact saved in your mailbox.
    • A colleague who is visible in your organization's directory.
    • A recipient you've previously sent email to.

    If suggestions do not appear for any of these scenarios, to better understand your situation, could you please share some information:

    • Does the issue affect all recipients or only certain recipients?
    • Does the same behavior occur in Outlook on the web (OWA).?
    • Did the issue start immediately after switching to New Outlook, or did it begin recently?
    • Are other users in your organization experiencing the same behavior?

    I hope this information helps and look forward to your response.

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Yes". If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment". 

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  3. AI answer

    2026-08-14T04:10:14.8733333+00:00

    In new Outlook, suggestions in the To, Cc, and Bcc fields are shown automatically as names or addresses are typed. The suggestions list shows up to five matches and is refined with each character entered.

    If suggestions are not appearing:

    1. Start typing the recipient’s name or email address directly in the To, Cc, or Bcc field.
    2. If the person does not appear, use the Address book button in the ribbon, or select To, Cc, or Bcc to open Add recipients.
    3. In Add recipients, choose the contact list to search, such as personal contacts or the Global Address List.
    4. In Search this list of contacts, begin typing the person’s first name, last name, or email address.
      • If the search list is blank, this can happen with a large Global Address List. Typing characters starts the search.
    5. Select the recipient and choose Save.
    6. After emailing that person, additional recipients are added to the Auto-Complete list for future suggestions.

    If the contact is saved in personal contacts, it can still be suggested unless the contact is deleted. Contacts from the organization can still be suggested unless removed by the administrator.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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