Swipe actions let you manage emails quickly on touch-enabled devices like tablets and 2-in-1 laptops. In the new Outlook for Windows, you can swipe left or right on a message to perform tasks such as deleting or flagging an email. This article explains how to change the default swipe actions to match your workflow. You will learn the steps to customize swipe gestures for both left and right directions. By the end, you will have a faster way to process your inbox using only touch.
Key Takeaways: Customizing Swipe Actions in New Outlook
- Swipe from left action: Choose Delete, Archive, Flag, Move, Mark as Read, or None for left-to-right swipes.
- Swipe from right action: Set a different action for right-to-left swipes, such as Archive or Delete.
- Settings > Mail > Swipe actions: The exact menu path to access swipe customization in new Outlook.
Understanding Swipe Actions in New Outlook
Swipe actions are touch gestures that trigger commands on an email message without opening it. In the new Outlook for Windows, you can assign one action to a left swipe and a different action to a right swipe. This feature is designed for touch or pen input on devices like the Surface Pro, iPad (when using Outlook on the web), or any Windows tablet.
The available swipe actions include Delete, Archive, Flag, Move, Mark as Read or Unread, Quick Steps, and None. The default setting is Delete for a right swipe and Archive for a left swipe. You can change these to any other action that fits how you manage email.
Before you start, make sure you are using the new Outlook. You can verify this by looking at the top of the window. If you see a toggle that says “Try the new Outlook,” you are still in the classic version. Click that toggle to switch. The new Outlook interface uses a simplified ribbon and modern design.
Steps to Customize Swipe Actions
- Open Outlook Settings
Click the Settings gear icon in the top-right corner of the new Outlook window. A sidebar opens. - Navigate to Mail Settings
In the Settings sidebar, click Mail near the top of the list. This opens the Mail settings page. - Select Swipe actions
Scroll down the Mail settings page until you see Swipe actions. Click it to expand the swipe options. - Change the Swipe from left action
Under “Swipe from left,” click the dropdown menu. Choose the action you want when you swipe from the left edge of a message to the right. Options: Delete, Archive, Flag, Move, Mark as Read, Mark as Unread, Quick Steps, None. - Change the Swipe from right action
Under “Swipe from right,” click the dropdown menu. Choose the action for swiping from the right edge to the left. The same options are available. - Close Settings
Once you select your preferred actions, close the Settings sidebar. The changes save automatically. No confirmation button is needed. - Test the new swipe actions
Open your inbox and swipe left or right on any email. The assigned action should execute immediately. If it does not, verify that touch input is enabled on your device and that you are using the new Outlook.
Common Issues When Customizing Swipe Actions
Swipe action does not work after changing settings
If a swipe action does not trigger after you customize it, close Outlook completely and restart it. Go to Settings > Mail > Swipe actions again to confirm your selection is saved. If the issue persists, ensure your touch screen or pen driver is updated. Swipe actions require a touch-capable display; a mouse cannot trigger them.
I want to use a Quick Step as a swipe action
Quick Steps are custom macros that perform multiple actions at once. When you select Quick Steps from the swipe action dropdown, you must first create the Quick Step in Outlook. Go to the Home tab and click Quick Steps > Create New. After you define the Quick Step, it appears in the swipe action dropdown list. Only Quick Steps you create will show up; default Quick Steps are not listed.
Swiping deletes messages I want to keep
If you accidentally delete emails when swiping, change the swipe action from Delete to Archive or Flag. Archive moves the email out of your inbox but keeps it accessible in the Archive folder. Flag adds a follow-up flag without moving the message. To avoid accidental deletion, set both swipe actions to None until you are comfortable with the gestures.
Swipe actions are missing entirely from Settings
If you do not see Swipe actions under Mail settings, you are likely using the classic Outlook. Swipe actions are only available in the new Outlook for Windows. Click the “Try the new Outlook” toggle at the top of the window to switch. If you still do not see the option after switching, restart Outlook. The feature was introduced in late 2023 and may require a Microsoft 365 update.
New Outlook Swipe Actions vs Classic Outlook Gestures
| Item | New Outlook Swipe Actions | Classic Outlook Gestures |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | New Outlook for Windows only | Classic Outlook for Windows |
| Customization method | Settings > Mail > Swipe actions | Not available; no swipe customization |
| Supported actions | Delete, Archive, Flag, Move, Mark as Read, Mark as Unread, Quick Steps, None | No swipe gestures supported |
| Touch input required | Yes | No |
| Mouse or trackpad support | No | Right-click context menu only |
Classic Outlook does not have swipe gestures at all. If you rely on touch input and want to use swipe actions, you must switch to the new Outlook. The classic version only supports mouse and keyboard commands for message management.
Conclusion
You can now set swipe from left and swipe from right actions to Delete, Archive, Flag, Move, Mark as Read, or a custom Quick Step. The menu path Settings > Mail > Swipe actions gives you full control over these gestures. To get the most out of swipe actions, assign Archive to one direction and Flag to the other to process emails without deleting them. If you use a Surface Pen or touch screen, these swipe actions will reduce the number of taps needed to manage your inbox.