Windows Outlook has an optional new “Simplified Ribbon” menu at its top that is now rolling out to many users in the monthly Office 365 updates. I just recently got it, and I really, really like it.
I’ll create a video soon that fully reveals the features of this new simplified Ribbon and put that video in the Outlook Inbox Ninja course. Look for that soon. But in the meantime, here’s how to activate it and some of my initial thoughts on its design.
How to activate it
- It’s being slowly rolled out. Even if you get monthly updates, you might not have it yet. At first, only Insider Programs members were getting it, but it looks like non-Insiders are starting to get it now.
- Even if you have access to it, at the time of this writing, this is still only offered as a Coming Soon preview which is turned off by default. If you see the Coming Soon button in the upper right corner of the Outlook window, then you have the update and probably can activate it.
- To activate it, flip the Coming Soon button to On, then restart Outlook, and you should have the new Ribbon. You might need to collapse the full ribbon by clicking the up/down pointer in the lower right corner of the Ribbon to see the new design.
- By the way, this is NOT included in the current Outlook 2019 shrink wrap product, and I have no idea if it will be added in later releases of Office 2019. But it sure looks like it is just for Office 365 subscribers.
My thoughts on this new design
- I love it! After using it a few days, I truly think Microsoft hit a home run with this new design.
- And that’s good news because too often, when Microsoft “simplifies” one of their applications, they end up discarding important features. But so far, in this new Outlook design, it seems like all previous features are still there and not hard to get at. And it’s so easy to toggle the full Ribbon back in to place, there is zero pain in this transition.
- The new Ribbon obviously shows fewer commands, but it seems like it is showing the exact commands I usually use. And it’s so easy to toggle the full Ribbon back in to place, there is zero pain in this transition.
Why use the new Ribbon?
- In the simplified form, this Ribbon obviously takes up less vertical space on the Outlook window.
- I find I can get at the commands I use quicker. That’s because there are fewer distracting and unneeded buttons in the Ribbon.
- The new Ribbon is also available inside new e-mail messages. However, Microsoft has enlarged the addressing header quite a bit in the new message window, so, overall, I am not sure there really is that much more vertical space in the message window. But it IS simpler to use.
Other changes in this new version of Outlook
- The Inbox list view has more vertical space above and below each item, which looks and feels good.
- Same with the To-Do Bar, more space between task items.
- The New Email window has a more spacious and relaxed feeling to it.
There may be more changes, but that’s all I’ve noticed so far.
So, give this new version a try. I think you’ll like it!
Michael