iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Outlook’s calendar settings are split across several menus, and the path depends on whether you use new Outlook, classic Outlook, Outlook on the web, or Outlook for Mac. The most common changes—calendar layout, first day of the week, work-week days, working hours, and time scale—are covered below with the exact menu paths for each version.
Quick rule: if your Outlook window has a File menu and File > Options, you are using classic Outlook for Windows. If it has View > Calendar settings, you are using new Outlook for Windows.
Choose the calendar view
Calendar view controls how much time appears on screen. It does not change which days Outlook considers part of your work week.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
New Outlook for Windows
- Select Calendar on the navigation bar.
- Open the Home tab.
- Select Day, Work Week, Week, or Month.
New Outlook does not currently include classic Outlook’s Calendar Peek, List view, or Schedule View.
#1 Best Overall
Classic Outlook for Windows
- Select Calendar.
- On the ribbon, select Home > Arrange.
- Choose Day, Work Week, Week, Month, or Schedule View.
Outlook on the web or Outlook.com
- Select the Calendar icon.
- Open the View tab.
- Choose the calendar period you want to display.
Outlook for Mac
In the newer Mac interface, select View, then choose Day, Work Week, Week, or Month. You can also use the view drop-down beside the current view at the top of the Outlook window.
In legacy Outlook for Mac, use the Home tab to select the period. To switch from a calendar grid to a list, select Organize > List. Select Grid view to return to the calendar layout.
Change the first day of the week
This setting controls which day appears first in the calendar week. It is separate from the days shown in Work Week view.
New Outlook for Windows
- Open Calendar.
- Select View > Calendar settings.
- Under Calendar appearance, open Show the first day of the week as:.
- Select the day you want.
- Select Save.
Classic Outlook for Windows
- Select File > Options.
- Select Calendar.
- Under Work time, open First day of week.
- Choose a day and select OK.
The same Work time section also contains settings for work days, start time, and end time.
Outlook on the web
- Open Calendar.
- Select Settings.
- Use the first-day-of-week control in the settings pane. If the option is not shown, select View all Outlook settings > Calendar.
- Set Show the first day of the week as to the required day.
Outlook for Mac
Microsoft’s current Mac calendar documentation places work-week configuration under Outlook > Settings > Calendar. Open that page and look under the calendar and work-week options for the first-day setting available in your build.
Change which days appear in Work Week view
For example, selecting Work Week does not automatically mean Monday through Friday. Configure the included days separately.
New Outlook for Windows
- Select Calendar > View > Calendar settings.
- Open Work hours and location.
- Select the days that belong to your work week.
- Select Save.
This option requires a work or school account with a qualifying Microsoft 365 subscription.
Recommended Free Tools
Classic Outlook for Windows
- Select File > Options > Calendar.
- Find the Work time section.
- Select or clear the check box for each work day.
- Select OK.
Outlook on the web
- Open Calendar.
- Select Settings, then open the calendar settings.
- Find Show work week as.
- Select the days that should appear in Work Week view.
Outlook for Mac
- Select Outlook > Settings.
- Select Calendar.
- Under Other, find Work week.
- Select the days to include.
Set working hours
Working hours affect how Outlook displays your schedule and helps others identify suitable meeting times. They are not the same as the calendar’s visible time scale.
Rank #3
Classic Outlook for Windows
- Go to File > Options > Calendar.
- Under Work time, set Start time and End time.
- Confirm the work-day check boxes and first day of week.
- Select OK.
New Outlook for Windows
Open Calendar > View > Calendar settings > Work hours and location. Adjust the available work-hour and work-location settings, then select Save. The exact options can depend on your account and Microsoft 365 subscription.
Outlook for Mac
Open Outlook > Settings > Calendar and adjust the calendar’s work-week settings. The available controls vary between newer and legacy Mac builds.
Change the calendar time scale
The time scale determines the spacing of the calendar grid—for example, 15-, 30-, or 60-minute intervals. A smaller interval makes short appointments easier to place but shows fewer hours on screen.
| Outlook version | Menu path |
|---|---|
| New Outlook for Windows | Calendar > View > Time scale |
| Classic Outlook for Windows | Select Calendar > View, choose Day, Work Week, or Week in the Arrangement group, then select Time Scale |
| Outlook on the web or Outlook.com | View > Time scale |
| Outlook for Mac | View > Time scale, then select the number of hours to display |
On Mac, time-scale controls are disabled when the calendar is in List view. Switch back to the grid first.
Use Calendar Peek or a custom view in classic Outlook
Dock Calendar Peek
Calendar Peek displays a small calendar while you work in Mail or another Outlook area.
- From Mail or Calendar, right-click Calendar on the Navigation Bar.
- Select Dock the peek.
- Repeat the process in the other Outlook module if you want the peek docked in both Mail and Calendar.
Create a custom calendar view
Custom calendar views are documented for classic Outlook for Windows. They are not currently available in new Outlook.
- Select View > Current View > Change View > Manage Views.
- Select New.
- Enter a name under Name of new view.
- Choose a Type of view and specify where it can be used under Can be used on.
- Select OK.
- Configure the Advanced View Settings: New View options.
- Select Apply View.
View multiple calendars
In Outlook for Mac, select two or three calendars in the Calendar navigation pane, then select View > [calendar period] > Overlay. Overlay supports Day, Work Week, Week, and Three Day views.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteYou must select at least two and no more than three calendars for this display. Month view does not support the overlay function.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Return to today
After browsing a future or past date, select Today at the top of the Outlook window. Outlook returns to the current day, week, or month while keeping the selected calendar view.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | Likely reason and fix |
|---|---|
| You cannot find File > Options | You are probably using new Outlook, Outlook on the web, or Mac. Use View > Calendar settings, Settings, or Outlook > Settings > Calendar instead. |
| Saturday and Sunday still appear in Work Week | Changing from Week to Work Week does not define the work week. Change the work-day check boxes or Show work week as setting. |
| Schedule View is missing | Schedule View is a classic Outlook for Windows feature and is not currently available in new Outlook. |
| List view is missing | New Outlook for Windows does not currently provide List view. On Mac, use View > List or, in legacy Mac Outlook, Organize > List. |
| Time Scale is unavailable on Mac | The calendar is probably in List view. Switch to Grid view. |
| A work-hours option is unavailable | Some new Outlook work-hours and location controls require a qualifying work or school Microsoft 365 account. |
FAQ
How do I change Outlook Calendar from Monday to Sunday?
In new Outlook for Windows, use Calendar > View > Calendar settings, then change Show the first day of the week as under Calendar appearance. In classic Outlook, use File > Options > Calendar > Work time > First day of week.
How do I change the days in Outlook Work Week view?
In classic Outlook for Windows, go to File > Options > Calendar and select or clear the work-day check boxes. In new Outlook, use Calendar > View > Calendar settings > Work hours and location. On the web, change Show work week as in Calendar settings.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Why does my Outlook Calendar look different from the instructions?
Outlook has separate interfaces. New Outlook, classic Outlook, Outlook on the web, and Outlook for Mac use different menus. Check whether your version has File > Options; that identifies classic Outlook for Windows.
Can I create a custom calendar view in new Outlook?
Microsoft currently documents custom calendar views under classic Outlook for Windows. New Outlook does not currently offer the same custom-view workflow.
How do I get back to the current date in Outlook Calendar?
Select Today at the top of the calendar. This returns you to the current date while preserving the current Day, Week, Work Week, or Month layout.
The Bottom Line
Use the calendar’s View controls to change what is displayed, and use calendar settings to change the first day of the week, work-week days, and working hours. The most important distinction is the Outlook version: File > Options > Calendar applies to classic Windows Outlook, while new Outlook uses View > Calendar settings, the web uses Settings, and Mac uses Outlook > Settings > Calendar.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
