New Outlook vs Classic Outlook Follow Meetings: Where to Find It

If you use Outlook to manage your calendar, you may have noticed that the Follow Meeting feature appears in different locations depending on whether you use the new Outlook or the classic Outlook. In classic Outlook, the Follow Meeting button is part of the meeting response toolbar, while in new Outlook it has moved to a different ribbon tab. This article explains exactly where to find the Follow Meeting option in both versions and shows you the steps to use it. You will also learn the key differences between the two interfaces so you can switch between them without losing productivity.

What Is the Follow Meeting Feature and Why Does It Matter

The Follow Meeting feature in Outlook lets you apply a follow-up flag directly to a meeting item on your calendar. When you mark a meeting for follow up, Outlook adds a reminder flag that appears in your To-Do Bar, Tasks list, and daily task summary. This is useful when you receive a meeting request that requires action after the meeting, such as sending a summary, completing an assigned task, or reviewing notes.

In classic Outlook, the Follow Meeting button has been in the same place for years on the Meeting tab in the Respond group. In new Outlook, Microsoft redesigned the ribbon and moved the Follow Meeting option to the Meeting tab in the Tracking group. Both versions also allow you to right-click a meeting in the calendar grid and select Follow from the context menu.

Where to Find Follow Meeting in Classic Outlook

In classic Outlook, the Follow Meeting button is located on the Meeting tab that appears when you open a meeting item. You can also access it from the right-click menu in the calendar grid. Follow these steps to find and use the feature in classic Outlook.

1. Open the meeting item
   Double-click the meeting in your calendar to open it. Do not single-click because the preview pane does not show the ribbon tabs.
2. Click the Meeting tab
   On the ribbon at the top of the meeting window, click the Meeting tab. This tab appears only when you open a meeting item.
3. Locate the Respond group
   On the Meeting tab, look for the Respond group. The Follow Meeting button is the last button in this group, next to the Forward button.
4. Select a follow-up flag
   Click the Follow Meeting button and choose a flag from the dropdown menu. Options include Today, Tomorrow, This Week, Next Week, No Date, and Custom.
5. Use the right-click method as an alternative
   Right-click the meeting in the calendar grid and select Follow from the context menu. Then choose the desired flag from the submenu.

If you use the menu bar in classic Outlook, you can also select Actions > Follow Up to apply a follow-up flag. This is a less common method but works the same way.

Where to Find Follow Meeting in New Outlook

In new Outlook, the Follow Meeting button is located on the Meeting tab in the Tracking group. The ribbon layout is different from classic Outlook, so users who switch may need a moment to find it. Follow these steps to access the feature in new Outlook.

1. Open the meeting item
   Double-click the meeting in your calendar to open it in a separate window.
2. Click the Meeting tab
   On the ribbon at the top of the meeting window, click the Meeting tab.
3. Locate the Tracking group
   On the Meeting tab, look for the Tracking group. It is the second group from the left, after the Respond group. The Follow Meeting button is the second button in this group, next to the Show As button.
4. Select a follow-up flag
   Click the Follow Meeting button and choose a flag from the dropdown menu. The same flag options are available: Today, Tomorrow, This Week, Next Week, No Date, and Custom.
5. Use the right-click method as an alternative
   Right-click the meeting in the calendar grid and select Follow from the context menu. Then choose the desired flag from the submenu.

In new Outlook, there is no menu bar, so the right-click method is the only alternative to the ribbon button. Both methods apply the same follow-up flag to the meeting item.

If You Cannot Find the Follow Meeting Button

Classic Outlook: The Meeting tab does not appear

If you double-click a meeting and do not see the Meeting tab, you may be viewing the meeting in the Reading Pane instead of opening it. Close the Reading Pane by going to View > Reading Pane and selecting Off. Then double-click the meeting again to open it in a separate window. The Meeting tab will appear.

New Outlook: The Follow Meeting button is grayed out

In new Outlook, the Follow Meeting button is grayed out when you open a meeting that you did not organize. You can only apply a follow-up flag to meetings that you organized. If you are an attendee, the button will be disabled. To work around this, right-click the meeting in the calendar grid and select Follow from the context menu. The right-click method works for both organizers and attendees.

Both versions: The Follow option is missing from the right-click menu

If the Follow option does not appear when you right-click a meeting, the meeting may be a recurring series. Right-click the occurrence and select Open Recurring Item. Then choose to open the series or the occurrence. After opening the meeting item, use the ribbon button to apply the follow-up flag. The right-click menu for recurring meetings sometimes omits the Follow option.

New Outlook vs Classic Outlook: Follow Meeting Location Comparison

Item	Classic Outlook	New Outlook
Ribbon tab	Meeting tab	Meeting tab
Ribbon group	Respond group	Tracking group
Button label	Follow Meeting	Follow Meeting
Right-click menu	Follow option present	Follow option present
Menu bar access	Actions > Follow Up	Not available
Works for attendees	Yes	No (ribbon button grayed out)

The table shows that the main difference is the ribbon group location and the menu bar availability. Classic Outlook also allows attendees to use the ribbon button, while new Outlook restricts it to organizers. Both versions support the right-click method for all users.

You can now locate the Follow Meeting button in both new Outlook and classic Outlook without confusion. If you switch between the two versions frequently, use the right-click method because it works the same way in both. For organizers who need to apply flags quickly, remember that in new Outlook the button is in the Tracking group instead of the Respond group. To further streamline your calendar workflow, explore the Quick Steps feature that can automate follow-up flagging for recurring meeting types.