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The From field lets you choose which configured mailbox or account sends a message. It may already appear when Outlook has more than one account, but you can also display it manually while composing an email.
The instructions differ between new Outlook for Windows, classic Outlook for Windows, and Outlook on the web. Use the section that matches your version.
Show the From field in new Outlook for Windows
- Open Outlook and select New > Mail, or press Ctrl+N.
- In the message window, open the Options tab.
- In the Show fields group, select Show From.
- Return to the message header and select the account shown beside From.
- Choose the mailbox or email account you want to use, then compose and send the message.
If several accounts are already configured, Outlook may display From automatically in a new message. In that case, select the account name beside the field and choose a different account.
If Show From is missing
The most common reason is that the Outlook profile contains only one email account. Outlook normally has no account choice to offer in that situation, so the field may not be displayed. Adding another account makes the sender selector available.
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Show the From field in classic Outlook for Windows
- Select New Email, or press Ctrl+N.
- On the message ribbon, select the Options tab.
- In the Show Fields group, select From.
- Select the newly displayed From button or account name.
- Choose the account that should send the message.
After you select an account, Outlook uses that account’s address in the message headers, provided you have permission to send from it.
Add another account so it can appear in From
New Outlook for Windows
Use either of these menu paths:
- View > View settings > Accounts > Your accounts > Add Account
- File > Account info > Accounts > Your accounts > Add Account
Choose a suggested account or enter its email address, select Continue, and complete the sign-in prompts. Select Done when setup finishes.
Classic Outlook for Windows
- Select File > Add Account.
- Enter the email address and select Connect.
- Enter the password or complete the provider’s sign-in process.
- Select OK, then Finish if Outlook presents those buttons.
Gmail, Yahoo, iCloud, and some other providers may require an app password or an account-side security change before Outlook can connect. Removing an account later does not delete the mailbox itself, but Outlook will stop synchronizing it and removes its offline cached content from that computer.
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Set the account Outlook uses by default
New Outlook
- Open File > Account info.
- Find the account and select Manage beside it.
- Select Set as primary account.
- Select Continue and allow Outlook to restart.
The primary account is used for new messages and also affects some app settings and policies. New Outlook does not currently include classic Outlook’s Always use the default account when composing new messages option. To send from another configured account, change the sender in the From field.
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Classic Outlook
- Select File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
- On the Email tab, select the account you want to use by default.
- Select Set as Default, then Close.
Classic Outlook also has a separate setting that prevents the folder you are viewing from determining the sender:
- Select File > Options > Mail.
- Scroll to Send Messages.
- Enable Always use the default account when composing new messages.
- Select OK.
Check the sender before sending
A message’s sender is not determined the same way in every situation:
| Message type | Account Outlook normally uses |
|---|---|
| New message | The default account in classic Outlook, or the primary account in new Outlook, unless you change From. |
| Reply | The account that received the original message. |
| Reply All | The account that received the original message. |
| Forward | The account that received the original message. |
That means Outlook does not always send from the account marked as default. Before sending a sensitive business message, expand or display From and verify the actual address.
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Outlook on the web and Outlook.com use a different compose interface from the Windows desktop applications. Select + New message to create an email, then use the message header controls such as To, Cc, or Bcc.
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Microsoft’s current web instructions do not document the desktop command Options > Show Fields > From for Outlook on the web. Do not use that Windows path in a browser and expect the same controls to appear. If your web interface looks substantially different, it may be an older or classic Outlook on the web version.
Common problems
The From button is not visible
In new Outlook, open a message and select Options > Show From. In classic Outlook, select Options > From. If the command is unavailable or there is no account to select, check whether the profile has only one configured account.
The wrong account is selected
For a new message, select the address beside From and choose the correct account. To change the recurring default, update the primary account in new Outlook or use File > Account Settings > Account Settings > Set as Default in classic Outlook.
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Replies, reply-alls, and forwards normally use the account that received the original email. This behavior can override the default account. Display From in the reply and select another configured account if appropriate.
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The account appears, but sending fails
Seeing an address in the From list does not necessarily grant permission to send as that address. Shared mailboxes and aliases may require administrator-granted Send As or Send on Behalf permissions. An external provider may also require an app password or a separate SMTP/security setting.
The From field cannot be hidden again
When multiple accounts are configured, Microsoft states that the manually added From field cannot be removed unless all but one account are removed from Outlook. Keeping it visible is generally useful because it makes accidental sends from the wrong mailbox easier to catch.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
Why does Outlook not show the From field?
Usually, only one email account is configured in the Outlook profile. With multiple accounts, Outlook normally shows the sender selector automatically. You can also add it from Options: select Show From in new Outlook or From in classic Outlook.
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Create or open the message, select the address beside From, and choose another configured account. If From is hidden, display it from the message’s Options tab first.
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Can I add a From field to Outlook on the web?
The current Outlook on the web interface does not document the desktop Options > Show Fields > From command. Use the web compose controls and the account currently selected for the mailbox; do not assume desktop instructions apply in a browser.
How do I make Outlook always use one account?
In new Outlook, set the account as primary through File > Account info > Manage > Set as primary account. In classic Outlook, use File > Account Settings > Account Settings, select the account, and choose Set as Default. Classic Outlook also has an Always use the default account when composing new messages option under File > Options > Mail.
Why does Outlook use another account when I reply?
Replies, Reply All messages, and forwards normally use the account that received the original email rather than the account marked as default. Check the From field before sending if the sender matters.
The Bottom Line
To add the sender selector, open a new message and use Options > Show From in new Outlook or Options > From in classic Outlook. If the field is unavailable, add another email account or verify that you are using the correct Outlook client. Always check From before sending, particularly when replying from a profile with multiple mailboxes.
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