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Outlook does not provide a slider for setting the Ribbon to an exact height, width, font size, or icon size. You can, however, change how much of the Ribbon is displayed: expand it, collapse it to tabs, switch to the Simplified Ribbon, or hide it temporarily.
The correct steps depend on whether you use classic Outlook for Windows, new Outlook, Outlook on the web, or Outlook for Mac.
Change the Ribbon size in classic Outlook for Windows
Classic Outlook has several Ribbon display modes. The most useful options are the full Ribbon, tabs only, and the Simplified Ribbon.
Expand or collapse the Ribbon with Ribbon Display Options
- Open Outlook and look at the lower-right corner of the Ribbon.
- Select the Ribbon Display Options icon.
- Choose one of the available display modes:
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| Always show Ribbon | Displays the tabs and all command buttons. This is the expanded Ribbon. |
| Show tabs only | Displays the tab names but hides the command buttons, reducing the Ribbon’s height. |
| Full-screen mode | Hides the Ribbon. Select the … in the upper-right corner when you need to display it temporarily. |
If you choose Show tabs only, select a tab such as Home whenever you need its commands. The command area will appear while you work with that tab.
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Collapse the Ribbon from its context menu
- Right-click any Ribbon tab, such as Home.
- Select Collapse the ribbon.
- To restore the commands, right-click a tab again and clear Collapse the ribbon.
Use a keyboard shortcut
Press Ctrl+F1 to toggle the command area between expanded and collapsed states. This hides or shows the commands; it does not reduce the size of the Ribbon’s text or icons.
Double-click a Ribbon tab
Double-click any Ribbon tab to switch between the expanded and collapsed states. Double-click the tab again to restore the previous state.
Switch classic Outlook to the Simplified Ribbon
The Simplified Ribbon puts frequently used commands in one row, using less vertical space than the expanded Ribbon.
- Make sure the classic Ribbon is expanded.
- Select the downward-pointing caret at the lower-right side of the Ribbon.
- Outlook switches to the Simplified Ribbon.
To return to the expanded Ribbon, select the downward caret on the right side of the Simplified Ribbon.
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Find commands missing from the Simplified Ribbon
The Simplified Ribbon does not show every command at once. If a button is not visible, check these locations:
- The downward arrow next to a related command.
- The … menu at the far right of the Ribbon.
- The Tell me what you want to do box at the top of the Outlook window. Type the command you need, such as Rules or Print.
Change Ribbon size in new Outlook for Windows
New Outlook is a separate application from classic Outlook. It uses different Ribbon controls and terminology.
- Open new Outlook for Windows.
- Select the dropdown arrow on the right side of the Ribbon.
- Choose between the larger classic experience and the smaller simplified experience.
- To choose which commands appear in the smaller Ribbon, select Customize.
If you are looking for the classic Outlook controls but cannot find them, check which Outlook application is open. New Outlook became generally available in August 2024 and is not simply a resized view of classic Outlook.
Change the Ribbon in Outlook on the web
Outlook on the web uses several display labels that are different from classic Outlook for Windows.
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- Move the pointer to the top of the browser window if the Ribbon is not visible.
- Select the Ribbon Display Options icon at the right corner of the Ribbon.
- Select the display mode you want:
| Option | Result |
|---|---|
| Classic Ribbon | Shows the full Ribbon. |
| Single Line Ribbon | Uses a compact, single-line layout. |
| Always show ribbon | Keeps the Ribbon visible. |
| Show tabs only | Hides the command buttons while leaving the tabs visible. |
| Adjust automatically | Hides and shows the Ribbon as the pointer moves to the top of the page. |
For keyboard access to the Ribbon in Outlook on the web, press Ctrl+F6 or Windows+Alt.
Change the Ribbon in Outlook for Mac
- Select the up arrow on the right side of the Ribbon to minimize it. Only the tabs remain visible.
- Select the down arrow on the right side of the minimized Ribbon to expand it again.
You can also control whether the Ribbon opens minimized:
- To minimize it for future windows, select View and clear the Ribbon check mark.
- To restore it, select View > Ribbon.
Can you make the Outlook Ribbon smaller than the Simplified Ribbon?
Not through a supported Outlook Ribbon setting. Microsoft does not provide controls for an arbitrary Ribbon height, width, font size, icon size, or pixel-based scale. The Customize the Ribbon dialog is for changing which eligible tabs, groups, and commands appear; it does not resize them.
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Adjust display scaling when the entire Outlook interface is too large
If the Ribbon, message list, and other Outlook controls all look unusually large or small, the issue may be display scaling rather than the Ribbon itself.
In classic Outlook for Windows, go to:
File > Options > General > User Interface options
Under the display-scaling setting, choose one of these options:
- Optimize for best appearance — Microsoft’s default and recommended setting. Outlook dynamically adjusts to screen changes.
- Optimize for compatibility — disables dynamic scaling for the current application. Restart Outlook after changing it.
Compatibility mode can help with scaling problems across monitors, but it may make Outlook text look blurry on a secondary monitor. It also changes the whole Outlook interface, not just the Ribbon.
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Common mistakes
| What you may hear | What is actually supported |
|---|---|
| “There is a Ribbon-size slider under File > Options > General.” | There is no current Ribbon-size slider. Those settings concern display scaling. |
| “Customize the Ribbon can shrink the icons.” | It can arrange, hide, add, remove, or rename eligible commands and tabs, but it cannot resize icons or text. |
| “Single Line Ribbon is the Outlook name everywhere.” | That label is used in Outlook on the web. Classic Outlook for Windows uses Simplified Ribbon; new Outlook describes larger classic and smaller simplified experiences. |
| “Ctrl+F1 changes the actual Ribbon scale.” | It only toggles the command area between expanded and collapsed states. |
If the “Try the new Outlook” switch is missing
The switch from classic Outlook to new Outlook is separate from Ribbon sizing. If Try the new Outlook is not available, Microsoft lists several possible reasons:
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- Your account is not supported.
- Your administrator has blocked or hidden the switch.
- You are using a one-time-purchase or standalone Outlook edition.
- Your work or school account does not support new Outlook.
FAQ
What is the fastest way to shrink the Outlook Ribbon?
In classic Outlook for Windows, press Ctrl+F1 or double-click any Ribbon tab. Both actions collapse the command area while leaving the tabs visible.
How do I completely hide the Ribbon in Outlook?
In classic Outlook for Windows, select Ribbon Display Options and choose Full-screen mode. In Outlook on the web, use Ribbon Display Options and choose the appropriate hidden or automatic display mode.
Why can’t I find the Simplified Ribbon?
The Simplified Ribbon is a classic Outlook for Windows feature documented by Microsoft for Outlook for Microsoft 365 and Outlook 2016. New Outlook uses its own classic and simplified experience selector, while Outlook on the web uses labels such as Single Line Ribbon.
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Can I change the Ribbon font or icon size?
No. Outlook does not offer a supported setting for changing only the Ribbon’s font size, icon size, height, or width. You can change the Ribbon display mode or change system/application scaling.
Why does Outlook look blurry after I change scaling?
If you select Optimize for compatibility, Outlook may look blurry on a secondary monitor. Microsoft recommends Optimize for best appearance unless compatibility mode is needed for a scaling problem.
The Bottom Line
For a smaller Outlook Ribbon, use Ctrl+F1, double-click a Ribbon tab, or select Show tabs only. Use the Simplified Ribbon when you want frequently used commands in one row. Outlook does not support a custom Ribbon-size slider, so changing the exact font, icon, height, or width is not available.
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