In today’s digital world, communication has become more than just words on a screen. Emojis and emoticons have become a popular way to express emotions and add personality to our messages. And with the rise of remote work and virtual meetings, the use of emojis and emoticons has become even more prevalent. But how do you insert a smiley face in Outlook? In this article, we’ll explore the different ways to add emojis and emoticons to your emails in Outlook.
Why Use Emojis and Emoticons in Emails?
Adding Personality to Your Messages
In a world where most communication is done through screens, it can be challenging to convey emotions and tone accurately. Emojis and emoticons can help add personality and emotion to your messages, making them more engaging and relatable.
Breaking Language Barriers
Emojis and emoticons are universal, and they can help bridge the gap between different languages and cultures. They can also help avoid misunderstandings and misinterpretations in written communication.
Appealing to Younger Audiences
With the rise of digital natives, the use of emojis and emoticons has become a norm in communication. By incorporating them into your emails, you can appeal to younger audiences and make your messages more relatable to them.
How to Insert Emojis in Outlook
Using the Emoji Keyboard Shortcut
Outlook has a built-in emoji keyboard shortcut that allows you to insert emojis quickly. To use this shortcut, follow these steps:
- Place your cursor where you want to insert the emoji in your email.
- Press the Windows key + the period (.) key simultaneously.
- The emoji keyboard will appear, and you can select the emoji you want to insert.
Using the Insert Symbol Feature
Outlook also has an “Insert Symbol” feature that allows you to insert emojis and emoticons. To use this feature, follow these steps:
- Place your cursor where you want to insert the emoji in your email.
- Go to the “Insert” tab in the top menu bar.
- Click on “Symbol” and then select “More Symbols.”
- A new window will appear with a list of symbols and emojis.
- Select the emoji you want to insert and click on “Insert.”
Copy and Paste
Another simple way to insert emojis in Outlook is by copying and pasting them from other sources. You can copy emojis from websites, other documents, or even from your phone and paste them into your email.
How to Insert Emoticons in Outlook
Using the AutoCorrect Feature
Outlook has an AutoCorrect feature that allows you to create shortcuts for frequently used words or phrases. You can use this feature to create shortcuts for emoticons and insert them quickly into your emails. To use this feature, follow these steps:
- Go to “File” in the top menu bar and select “Options.”
- In the new window, click on “Mail” and then select “Spelling and AutoCorrect.”
- Click on the “AutoCorrect Options” button.
- In the “Replace” field, type the shortcut you want to use for your emoticon (e.g., :)).
- In the “With” field, insert the emoticon you want to use.
- Click on “Add” and then “OK.”
Now, every time you type the shortcut you created, the emoticon will automatically appear in your email.
Using the Insert Symbol Feature
Similar to inserting emojis, you can also use the “Insert Symbol” feature to insert emoticons in Outlook. Follow the same steps as mentioned above, but instead of selecting an emoji, choose an emoticon from the list of symbols.
Copy and Paste
You can also copy and paste emoticons from other sources, just like you would with emojis.
Tips for Using Emojis and Emoticons in Emails
Use Them Sparingly
While emojis and emoticons can add personality to your emails, it’s essential to use them sparingly. Overusing them can make your messages seem unprofessional and may even be distracting to the recipient.
Know Your Audience
Before using emojis and emoticons in your emails, consider your audience. If you’re communicating with a more formal or older audience, it may be best to avoid using them altogether.
Use Them to Enhance Your Message
Emojis and emoticons should be used to enhance your message, not replace it. Use them to convey emotions or add context to your words, but don’t rely on them to communicate your entire message.
Avoid Using Them in Professional Emails
While emojis and emoticons may be appropriate in casual or personal emails, it’s best to avoid using them in professional emails. They may come across as unprofessional and may not be suitable for all work environments.
Conclusion
Adding emojis and emoticons to your emails can help make your messages more engaging and relatable. With the different methods mentioned in this article, you can easily insert emojis and emoticons in your emails in Outlook. Just remember to use them sparingly and consider your audience before using them. Happy emailing!