How to Find the Address Book in Outlook

This guide shows you how to locate the address book in Outlook across desktop, web, and mobile versions. Whether you need to look up a colleague’s email, check contact details, or manage your contacts, these steps cover the most common ways to access the address book quickly.

What You’ll Need

• An Outlook account (Microsoft 365, Exchange, or a free Outlook.com account)
• Outlook desktop app (Windows or Mac), Outlook on the web, or the Outlook mobile app
• Your sign-in credentials if you’re not already signed in

Step-by-Step

Outlook for Windows (Desktop App)

1. Open Outlook – Launch the Outlook desktop application on your Windows computer.
2. Go to the Navigation Pane – On the left side of the window, you’ll see the navigation pane with icons for Mail, Calendar, People, and more. If you don’t see it, click the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) at the top left to expand it.
3. Click the People icon – It looks like a silhouette of a person or a small address book. This opens your Contacts view, which is essentially your personal address book.
4. Use the Address Book dialog (alternative) – If you need the global address book (for Exchange or Microsoft 365 accounts), click on the Home tab in the ribbon. Look for the Find group and click Address Book (or press Ctrl+Shift+B). This opens a separate window where you can search your organization’s directory.
5. Search for a contact – In the Address Book window, type a name or email address in the search box. The results will show matching contacts from your personal contacts and the global address list.

Outlook on the Web (Outlook.com or Microsoft 365)

1. Sign in – Go to outlook.com or your organization’s Outlook web access page and sign in.
2. Open the People app – In the left sidebar, click the People icon (a person’s silhouette). This is your address book in the web version.
3. Use the search bar – At the top of the People page, you’ll see a search field. Type a name or email to find contacts. You can also browse through your contacts listed on the left.
4. Access the directory (if available) – For work or school accounts, you may see a Directory option in the left pane. Click it to search the entire organization’s address book.

Outlook for Mac

1. Open Outlook – Launch the Outlook app on your Mac.
2. Click the People tab – In the bottom-left corner of the navigation pane, you’ll see a People icon (looks like a person). Click it to see your contacts.
3. Use the Address Book button – In the toolbar at the top, look for an Address Book button (or press Cmd+Shift+A). This opens a searchable address book window that includes your organization’s directory if you have an Exchange account.

Outlook Mobile App (iOS and Android)

1. Open the app – Launch the Outlook mobile app on your phone or tablet.
2. Tap the People icon – At the bottom of the screen, you’ll see a People icon (a person). Tap it to access your contacts.
3. Search contacts – Use the search bar at the top to find a contact. You can also tap the three-line menu (hamburger) to see folders like Contacts or Directory if available.

Common Mistakes

• Looking for the address book in the Mail view – The address book is not in the Mail folder; it’s a separate module (People/Contacts). Make sure you switch to the People view.
• Using the wrong search box – In the desktop app, the search box in the Mail view searches emails, not contacts. Use the search inside the People or Address Book window instead.
• Forgetting the global address list – For work accounts, the default address book may only show your personal contacts. You need to open the separate Address Book dialog (Ctrl+Shift+B) to see the company directory.
• Not updating the address book – If you don’t see a new contact, it may be because the address book hasn’t synced. Close and reopen Outlook or wait a few minutes.

Tips

• Add the Address Book to the Quick Access Toolbar – In the desktop app, right-click the Address Book button and choose Add to Quick Access Toolbar for one-click access.
• Use keyboard shortcuts – In Windows, Ctrl+Shift+B opens the Address Book directly. On Mac, use Cmd+Shift+A.
• Create contact groups – In the People view, you can create contact groups (formerly distribution lists) to email multiple people at once. This is handy for teams or recurring meetings.
• Set the default address book – If you have multiple address books (e.g., personal contacts and a company directory), you can choose which one appears first by going to File > Options > Contacts and changing the default.

Troubleshooting

• I can’t see the People icon – If the navigation pane is collapsed, click the three horizontal lines at the top left to expand it. If it’s still missing, you may have a custom view; go to View > Layout and ensure People is checked.
• The Address Book button is grayed out – This usually happens when you’re not connected to your email server. Check your internet connection and try restarting Outlook.
• I can’t find a contact that should be there – First, make sure you’re searching the correct address book (personal vs. global). If it’s a personal contact, check that it’s not in a different contacts folder. Go to People and look at the folder list on the left – you may have multiple contacts folders.
• Outlook crashes when opening the address book – Try repairing your Outlook profile (in Windows: Control Panel > Mail > Show Profiles > Repair). If that fails, create a new profile and add your account again.
• Directory search returns no results – For work accounts, the directory might be restricted by your IT admin. Contact your IT support to ensure you have access to the global address list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the address book in Outlook 365?

In Outlook 365 (desktop), the address book is under the People icon in the navigation pane. You can also open it with Ctrl+Shift+B. In Outlook on the web, click the People icon in the left sidebar.

How do I open the address book from an email?

When composing a new email, click the To or CC button. This opens a dialog where you can search your address book and select recipients. It works the same in desktop and web versions.

What’s the difference between Contacts and Address Book?

Contacts are your personal list of people you’ve added. The Address Book is a broader term that includes your personal contacts plus any directory (like your company’s global address list). In Outlook, the People view shows your contacts, while the Address Book dialog searches both.

Can I add contacts to the address book?

Yes, you can add contacts by going to the People view and clicking New Contact (or the plus sign in web/mobile). These will appear in your personal address book.

Why is my address book empty?

An empty address book usually means you haven’t added any contacts yet, or you’re looking at the wrong folder. Check if you have multiple contacts folders (e.g., a default folder vs. a subfolder). Also, make sure you’re not in the global directory if you’re looking for personal contacts.

How do I export my address book?

In the desktop app, go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export, then choose Export to a file and select CSV or Outlook Data File. In the web version, you can export contacts from the People page by clicking the gear icon and choosing Export contacts.

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