New Outlook Working Elsewhere Status: Show location without classic options

In the new Outlook for Windows, the classic Working Elsewhere status option is no longer available. Many users who relied on this feature to show their location during calendar events find the replacement unclear. The new Outlook uses a different system called Focus Time and location-aware status. This article shows you how to set your status to Working Elsewhere and display your location without the classic options.

Why the Classic Working Elsewhere Status Is Missing

The classic Outlook for Windows had a Working Elsewhere status option in the calendar event form. This option let you mark an event as Working Elsewhere and automatically change your presence status. The new Outlook for Windows, built on the same code base as Outlook on the web, does not include this specific status. Microsoft replaced it with a more flexible system where your location is set through the event details and your presence status is managed separately through Focus Time and automatic replies.

The new Outlook uses Microsoft 365 presence indicators that sync across Teams, Outlook, and other apps. The status options are Available, Busy, Do Not Disturb, Be Right Back, Away, and Offline. Working Elsewhere was a legacy status that combined a location note with a presence state. In the new design, your location is a separate property of the calendar event, not a status. This change gives you more control over what you share and when.

What Happened to the Classic Options

The classic Working Elsewhere option was part of the Show As dropdown in the calendar event form. When you selected Working Elsewhere, Outlook would display your status as Working Elsewhere to colleagues viewing your calendar. The new Outlook removed this dropdown option. Instead, you set your availability using the Show As field with standard options such as Free, Tentative, Busy, and Out of Office. Your physical location is entered in the Location field of the event, which attendees see when they open the event.

How to Show Your Location in New Outlook Calendar Events

To share your location with colleagues without the classic Working Elsewhere status, use the Location field in your calendar events. This method works for both one-time and recurring events. Attendees see the location when they view the event details or receive the invitation.

1. Open the New Outlook Calendar
   Launch the new Outlook for Windows. Select the Calendar icon in the left navigation pane.
2. Create or Edit a Calendar Event
   Click New Event to create a new appointment or meeting. Alternatively, double-click an existing event to edit it.
3. Set the Show As Status
   In the event form, locate the Show As dropdown. Select Busy or Out of Office depending on your availability. Do not select Free or Tentative if you want to block your time.
4. Enter Your Location in the Location Field
   Click the Location field below the subject line. Type your location, such as Coffee Shop Downtown or Remote – Home Office. The location appears in the event details for all attendees.
5. Add a Description if Needed
   In the large text area, type a brief note about your working elsewhere status. For example: Working from a client site today. This text is visible to attendees who open the event.
6. Save and Send
   Click Save if this is an appointment on your own calendar. Click Send if this is a meeting invitation to other people.

Using Focus Time to Show You Are Working Elsewhere

Focus Time is a feature in the new Outlook that automatically schedules blocks of time for focused work. When Focus Time is active, your presence status changes to Do Not Disturb. You can use Focus Time to indicate you are working elsewhere without manually setting a status.

1. Open Your Calendar
   In the new Outlook, click the Calendar icon.
2. Access Focus Time Settings
   Click the Settings gear icon in the top-right corner. Select Calendar > Focus Time.
3. Enable Focus Time
   Toggle the switch to turn on Focus Time. Set your preferred start time, end time, and days of the week.
4. Set Your Location in the Focus Time Event
   Focus Time creates a calendar event automatically. Open that event and enter your location in the Location field. For example: Working from home.
5. Save the Focus Time Event
   Click Save. Your calendar now shows a blocked event with your location. Your Teams presence will show Do Not Disturb during this time.

Setting an Automatic Out-of-Office Reply with Location

If you are working elsewhere for an extended period, set an automatic out-of-office reply. This method sends a message to anyone who emails you, including your location if you choose to share it.

1. Open Out-of-Office Settings
   Click the Settings gear icon. Select Mail > Automatic Replies.
2. Turn On Automatic Replies
   Toggle the switch to On. Set a start time and end time if needed.
3. Write Your Reply
   In the text box, type a message that includes your location. Example: I am working remotely this week and will respond to emails as soon as possible.
4. Set Replies for Internal and External Senders
   If you want different messages for people inside and outside your organization, check the box for Send replies to people outside my organization and write a separate message.
5. Save Your Settings
   Click Save at the top of the settings pane. Your automatic reply is now active.

Common Issues and Limitations When Showing Location in New Outlook

My Location Does Not Appear in Teams Presence

The new Outlook does not sync the calendar event location to your Teams presence status. Teams shows your presence based on your calendar availability and activity, not the location text. To share your location in Teams, type it in a Teams chat or set a status message. Click your profile picture in Teams, select Set status message, and include your location.

Colleagues Cannot See My Location in Calendar Grid View

The calendar grid view in new Outlook and Teams shows your availability as Busy or Out of Office but does not display the location text. To see your location, colleagues must open the calendar event. Instruct your team to double-click the event to view the full details, including the Location field.

Working Elsewhere Status Does Not Appear in Focus Time

Focus Time events automatically set your status to Do Not Disturb, not Working Elsewhere. There is no way to change this behavior. If you want your status to show Away instead of Do Not Disturb, do not use Focus Time. Instead, create a regular calendar event with Busy status and enter your location manually.

New Outlook vs Classic Outlook: Location and Status Features

Item	New Outlook for Windows	Classic Outlook for Windows
Working Elsewhere status option	Not available	Available in Show As dropdown
Location field in calendar events	Yes, text field in event form	Yes, text field in event form
Focus Time	Built-in, sets Do Not Disturb	Not available
Automatic replies	Yes, includes location	Yes, includes location
Location syncs to Teams presence	No	No
Calendar grid shows location	No, requires opening event	No, requires opening event

The table shows that the main difference is the removal of the Working Elsewhere status option. All other methods for sharing location remain available in both versions. The new Outlook adds Focus Time, which is not present in the classic version.

Conclusion

You can now show your location in the new Outlook without the classic Working Elsewhere status. Use the Location field in calendar events to share where you are working. Focus Time and automatic out-of-office replies provide additional ways to communicate your availability and location. If you need to share your location in Teams, set a custom status message. Remember that colleagues must open your calendar event to see the location field, as it does not appear in the grid view.