How to Change the Font Size of the Outlook Message List

Display your list of emails with a larger or smaller font

What to Know

  • Select View > View Settings > Other Settings > change Column Font and Row Font settings.
  • Apply to multiple folders: Select folder with changes > View > Change View > Apply Current View to Other Mail Folders > select folders.

This article explains how to change the font size, type, and style of an Outlook message list for a specific folder, and how to apply those settings to other folders.

If the text in the Outlook message list is difficult for you to comfortably read or if you don't like the way it looks, change the font size, the font type, or the font style. The font can be changed for any specific folder you want. For example, make the font larger for your Inbox and Drafts folders to make those messages stand out.

Instructions in this article apply to Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2007; and Outlook for Microsoft 365.

How to Change Outlook's Email List Font Size

Changing the font size of the message list is not the same as changing the font size of an email. When you change the font used for the message list, the font for the email text is not affected.

To change the look of the font in the message list:

  1. Open the folder whose font you want to change, then go to the View tab.

    Screenshot of the View menu in Outlook
  2. In the Current View group, choose View Settings. In Outlook 2007, select View > Current View > Customize Current View.

    Screenshot of View Settings in Outlook
  3. In the Advanced View Settings dialog box, select Other Settings.

    Screenshot of Advanced View Settings in Outlook
  4. In the Other Settings dialog box, select Row Font.

    Screenshot of Row font in Outlook

    If you want to change the font for column headings, select Column Font. This changes the look of the sender name that appears above the subject line in the list of emails.

  5. In the Font dialog box, choose the desired Font, Font style, and Size.

    Screenshot of font settings in Outlook
  6. Select OK.

  7. In the Other Settings dialog box, select OK.

  8. In the Advanced View Settings dialog box, select OK

  9. The email list for the folder displays your selected font format.

    Screenshot of email listing with new font in Outlook
  10. Changing the font format for specific folders gives each folder a distinct look so that you'll remember which folder you're looking at.

How to Apply These Changes to Every Folder

To apply your font changes to more than one folder:

  1. Select the folder that you applied the font changes to.

  2. Go to the View tab and select Change View > Apply Current View to Other Mail Folders.

    Screenshot of Apply Current View in Outlook
  3. In the Apply View dialog box, select the checkbox next to each folder you want to apply the new style.

    Screenshot of selecting folders to apply view in Outlook

    Select Apply view to subfolders if you want the same font size, type, and style to be used in subfolders.

  4. Select OK when finished.

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