Outlook is a popular email and calendar application used by millions of people around the world. But did you know that you can also use it to update your status and let your colleagues know what you’re up to? In this article, we’ll show you how to change your status in Outlook and make the most out of this feature.
What is a status update?
Before we dive into the steps of changing your status in Outlook, let’s first understand what a status update is. A status update is a short message that appears next to your name in Outlook, indicating your current availability or activity. This can be helpful for your colleagues to know if you’re busy, in a meeting, or available to chat.
Steps to change your status in Outlook
Changing your status in Outlook is a simple process. Just follow these steps:
- Open Outlook and click on the “File” tab in the top left corner.
- In the drop-down menu, click on “Options.”
- In the Outlook Options window, click on “Contacts” in the left sidebar.
- Scroll down to the “Online status and photographs” section.
- Here, you can select from a list of pre-set status options such as “Available,” “Busy,” “Away,” or “Do Not Disturb.”
- You can also add a custom status by clicking on the “Custom…” button.
- In the pop-up window, type in your custom status message and click “OK.”
- Your status will now be updated in Outlook.
Updating your status automatically
If you want your status to be updated automatically based on your calendar events, you can do so by following these steps:
- In the “Online status and photographs” section, click on the “Automatically update my status based on my calendar information” checkbox.
- You can then select the duration for which you want your status to be updated, such as “During work hours” or “All day.”
- Click “OK” to save your changes.
Updating your status on the Outlook mobile app
If you use the Outlook mobile app, you can also update your status on the go. Here’s how:
- Open the Outlook app on your mobile device.
- Tap on the “Settings” icon in the bottom right corner.
- In the Settings menu, tap on your name.
- Here, you can select from the pre-set status options or add a custom status.
- Your status will now be updated in Outlook.
Tips for updating your status
- Keep your status up to date to avoid confusion among your colleagues.
- Use specific status messages to let your colleagues know what you’re working on or when you’ll be available.
- Don’t forget to update your status when you’re done with a task or meeting.
By following these steps, you can easily update your status in Outlook and make communication with your colleagues more efficient.
Have you used the status update feature in Outlook before? Let us know in the comments.
