How to Share a Folder in Outlook

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If a colleague needs access to your inbox or a subfolder in your Microsoft Exchange email account, you can share the folder with them in Outlook. To share a subfolder, you'll need to grant your colleague permission to view your entire inbox. If you'd rather not share your inbox, you can create a "public" folder in your account and share that with specific users and groups. This wikiHow article will show you how you can share folders in the Outlook desktop app and on the web (OWA), plus how to delegate access to your email account so a colleague can send and receive messages on your behalf.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

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  1. Go to the Outlook URL provided by your company or campus to sign in to your email account. Or, if you've linked your Exchange account to your personal Outlook.com email address, you can sign in at https://www.outlook.com .
    • Sharing a folder is useful if you need someone to access your email while you're out of the office, or if the account is a group account that multiple people need to access.
    • If the person you're sharing the folder needs to send email on your behalf, you should delegate your account instead . [1]
  2. Before you can share a folder in your account, you'll need to first share your entire email folder.
    • If you don't want to give someone permission to see your entire email account, you can create a public folder and either move messages to that folder manually, or set up a rule to automatically sort certain messages into that folder.
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  3. It's at the top-left corner. A user search window will appear. [2]
  4. You can search for someone by typing the first few letters of their name into the search field and then clicking the correct person in the search results.
  5. Make sure you've clicked the person's name at the top before selecting an option from the "Permission level" window. The permission level you choose here determines this user's access to your email account, including your inbox. You will be setting permissions any subfolders you want to share separately. [3]
    • You have to make sure you at least give the person permission to view your account so they will be able to access the folder you want to share. Choose the Reviewer permission level to grant view permissions only. [4] You'll still be able to give additional permissions, such as the ability to delete messages, for subfolders you want to share.
    • None gives the person no permission to the account. If you choose this option, you cannot share any folders with this person.
  6. You'll see the checkbox in the bottom-right portion of the window. Now that you've granted this user permission to view your account, you can share the desired subfolder with them. [5]
    • Sharing your mailbox only shares your inbox—not the folders inside of your inbox. You have first share your inbox and then share subfolders separately.
    • If you only want to share your inbox and not a specific folder inside of it, you're done here—skip to Step 10 to learn how the person you shared the folder with can access the folder.
  7. This opens a Permissions window for the selected folder.
  8. You'll do this exactly how you shared your mailbox—just add the user and choose a permission level.
    • The permissions don't need to be identical to those you granted to the entire inbox.
    • If you want the person to be able to create, read, modify, and delete items, as well as add their own subfolders, choose Publishing Editor . Editor permissions contains all of the same permissions as Publishing Editor, except the ability to create subfolders.
  9. The selected subfolder is now shared.
  10. The person you shared the folder with can use these steps to add the shared mailbox and subfolder(s):
    • Right-click the account name in the folder list and select Add shared folder… . [6]
    • Search for the name of the shared mailbox—this is the name of the person who shared the folder, not the name of a subfolder.
    • Select the mailbox and click Add .
    • The folder will then appear in the left column of Outlook for the web.
    • Click the arrow next to the name of the mailbox to view and access shared subfolders.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

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  1. It's the icon of an envelope at the bottom of the navigation pane. [7] A list of your folders will appear in the left panel.
    • Sharing a folder is useful if you need someone to access your email while you're out of the office, or if the account is a group account that multiple people need to access.
    • If the person you're sharing the folder needs to send email on your behalf, you should delegate your account instead .
  2. Before you can share a folder in your account, you'll need to first share your entire email folder so your inbox is visible.
    • If you don't want to give someone permission to see your entire email account, you can create a public folder and either move messages to that folder manually, or set up a rule to automatically sort certain messages into that folder.
    • Sharing your mailbox only shares your inbox—not the folders inside of your inbox. You have first share your inbox and then share subfolders separately.
  3. This opens a search window that lets you search for users to add.
  4. To search for a person, make sure the correct address book is selected from the "Address Book" menu (e.g., Global Address List), type the person's name, and then press Enter or Return to search.
  5. This adds the selected person to the Users list.
    • You can add multiple people if you'd like—just search and add as many people as you wish. Keep in mind that everyone you add will have access to view your inbox, as well as any other folders you give them access to.
  6. The person (or people) you added now appear in the list of names at the top of the window.
  7. If you're giving permission to multiple people, hold down the Control or Shift key as you click each person you're adding.
    • You have to at least give read permission if you want someone to be able to access a subfolder.
    • If you only want to give the selected person or people permission to view your inbox but not make any changes, select Full Details under "Read," select None under "Delete items," and remove all other checkmarks.
    • You can assign different permissions for subfolders than what you grant for your inbox.
  8. The checkbox is under the "Other" header. This ensures that the selected user(s) can find your shared mailbox. Now that your mailbox (including your inbox) is shared, you can share any subfolders you wish.
    • If you don't want to share a subfolder, skip to Step 12 now.
  9. Now you can the user(s) to your desired subfolder and specify the type of access they need.
  10. You'll do this exactly how you shared your mailbox—just add the user and choose a permission level.
    • You can grant different permissions to the subfolder, such as write permissions, without affecting those you granted to your entire mailbox.
  11. As long as you check this box, the person you're sharing with will be able to view and access the shared folder.
    • Only folders marked "Folder visible" will be visible to people you share with.
  12. The person you shared the folder with can use these steps to add the shared mailbox and subfolder(s):
    • Click the File menu.
    • Click the Account Settings menu and select Account Settings again at the top. [8]
    • Select your Office 365 or Exchange account and click the Change button.
    • Click More Settings .
    • Click the Advanced tab.
    • Click Add…
    • Type the name of the shared mailbox (not the shared subfolder—the actual name of the sharer's account) and click OK .
    • Right-click the account name in the folder list and select Add shared folder… . [9]
    • Search for the name of the shared mailbox—this is the name of the person who shared the folder, not the name of a subfolder.
    • Select the mailbox and click Add .
    • The folder will then appear in the left column of Outlook for the web.
    • Click the arrow next to the name of the mailbox to view and access shared subfolders.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Creating a Public Shared Folder

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  1. If you want to share specific messages with someone else within your company or campus without sharing your entire account, you can create a "public" folder in the Outlook desktop app and share that instead. Public folders aren't viewable by everyone in the world—just the people or groups you specify. [10]
    • You can only create public folders if your Exchange administrator has given you permission to do so.
    • You'll need to do this in the Outlook desktop app, as the option is not available on the web for users who aren't administrators.
  2. It's the envelope at the bottom of the navigation pane.
  3. If you have permission to create public folders, you'll now see a "Public Folders" section in the folder pane. If you don't see this, your Exchange admin has not given you permission to create public folders. Check with your administrator. [11]
    • You can also display public folders by clicking the three horizontal dots at the bottom of the navigation pane and selecting Folders .
  4. This brings up the New Folder window. [12]
  5. This creates the public folder and adds it to the "All Public Folders" list.
    • Right now, you're the only one with permission to view this folder.
  6. This opens a window with several tabs. [13]
  7. Now you'll see a place to add users to the folder and assign them permissions.
  8. This opens the user search window. [14]
  9. If you just want to share the contents of this folder with one person, you just search for that person and click Add . You can also add multiple users by searching for them each individually, or even add a group that's already on your Exchange server.
  10. Now that you've added at least one user, you can assign them permissions.
  11. To assign permissions for more than one person or group at a time, hold down the Control or Shift key as you click each user or group.
    • You can select a permission level from the "Permission Level" menu, or choose your preferred permissions manually on the Read, Write, and Delete Items panels.
    • If you only want to give the selected person or people permission to view the folder but not make any changes, select Full Details under "Read," select None under "Delete items," and remove all other checkmarks.
  12. Your public folder is now created and shared. Anything you move or filter into that folder will be accessible to the people you've shared the folder with.
  13. Now that you've shared the folder, the person the person or people you've shared with should complete these steps to view it.
    • Outlook for Windows:
      • Once the folder is shared, it will be accessible in their own "Public Folders" section of their navigation pane. To access it, click the triangle next to "Public Folders," and then click the folder.
      • If they don't see it, have them press Control + 6 or click the three horizontal dots and select Folders . It may take a few moments for the folder to appear.
    • Outlook for Mac:
      • Click the Tools menu and select Public Folders .
      • Select the folder and click + Subscribe .
    • Outlook on the web:
      • Right-click the Favorites heading in the left panel.
      • Click Add Public Folder to Favorites .
      • Click the folder and select Add to Favorites . It may take a few moments for the folder to appear.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

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  1. If you want someone in your organization to be able to access your email folders and calendar so they can act on behalf of you, delegating is the best way to share that information. [15] Delegating your account not only gives someone access to your folders, but also allows them to send emails as you from their own Outlook client.
  2. A menu of settings will appear. [16]
  3. It's near the bottom of the menu. [17]
  4. It's at the upper-right corner. This opens the Add Users search window. [18]
  5. To find the person, type their name into the Search field and press Enter or Return to search. Once you find them, select their name and click Add . [19]
  6. This opens the Delegate Permissions window.
  7. You can give the delegate access to your calendar, tasks, inbox (and subfolders), contacts, and/or notes—any combination of these items you prefer is fine. [20]
    • The delegate must have Author or Editor permissions for your Inbox to be able to send and respond to messages as you.
    • The delegate will be able to view subfolders in your inbox unless you've marked those as private. If you want to give the delegate access to folders and other content tagged "private," check the box next to "Delegate can see my private items."
  8. This adds the delegate to the list of delegates.
    • You can remove a delegate at any time by selecting their name from the list and selecting Remove .
    • You can add multiple delegates if you'd like—just click Add… again to add another.
  9. Your delegate(s) now has access to your inbox and subfolders, and any other info you specified.
  10. The delegate can perform these steps to gain access to your folders:
    • Open Outlook and go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings .
    • Click the Email tab.
    • Click the account name and click Change .
    • Click More Settings .
    • Click the Advanced tab.
    • Click Add .
    • Search for the name of the shared mailbox and click Add .
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/allow-messages-to-be-sent-on-your-behalf-when-sharing-a-folder-or-mailbox-afb79d6b-2967-43b9-a944-a6b953190af5
      2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/share-a-folder-in-an-exchange-account-645b7a89-2c2e-42b0-92b6-97a703b406b3
      3. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/share-a-folder-in-an-exchange-account-645b7a89-2c2e-42b0-92b6-97a703b406b3
      4. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/options-for-sharing-and-delegating-folders-in-outlook-for-mac-480d8054-68ce-4150-ba1e-b9b7f2fc4ce5
      5. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/share-a-folder-in-an-exchange-account-645b7a89-2c2e-42b0-92b6-97a703b406b3
      6. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/access-another-person-s-mailbox-a909ad30-e413-40b5-a487-0ea70b763081#__toc372388945
      7. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/share-a-folder-in-an-exchange-account-645b7a89-2c2e-42b0-92b6-97a703b406b3
      8. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/manage-another-person-s-mail-and-calendar-items-afb79d6b-2967-43b9-a944-a6b953190af5?ocmsassetid=ha102749416&ctt=1&correlationid=a033e93c-fe9f-4fd1-9ec4-afdeb426369f&ui=en-us&rs=en-us&ad=us#__add_another_person_s
      9. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/access-another-person-s-mailbox-a909ad30-e413-40b5-a487-0ea70b763081#__toc372388945
      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/create-and-share-a-public-folder-in-outlook-a2835011-d524-4a5c-a207-05c159bb2a97
      2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/create-and-share-a-public-folder-in-outlook-a2835011-d524-4a5c-a207-05c159bb2a97
      3. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/set-or-change-permissions-for-a-public-folder-b2e0440c-7873-48ec-9ff2-b1a20b723005
      4. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/set-or-change-permissions-for-a-public-folder-b2e0440c-7873-48ec-9ff2-b1a20b723005
      5. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/set-or-change-permissions-for-a-public-folder-b2e0440c-7873-48ec-9ff2-b1a20b723005
      6. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/about-delegates-allow-someone-to-manage-your-mail-and-calendar-41c40c04-3bd1-4d22-963a-28eafec25926
      7. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/office/allow-messages-to-be-sent-on-your-behalf-when-sharing-a-folder-or-mailbox-afb79d6b-2967-43b9-a944-a6b953190af5
      8. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/office/allow-messages-to-be-sent-on-your-behalf-when-sharing-a-folder-or-mailbox-afb79d6b-2967-43b9-a944-a6b953190af5
      9. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/office/allow-messages-to-be-sent-on-your-behalf-when-sharing-a-folder-or-mailbox-afb79d6b-2967-43b9-a944-a6b953190af5
      10. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/office/allow-messages-to-be-sent-on-your-behalf-when-sharing-a-folder-or-mailbox-afb79d6b-2967-43b9-a944-a6b953190af5
      11. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/office/allow-messages-to-be-sent-on-your-behalf-when-sharing-a-folder-or-mailbox-afb79d6b-2967-43b9-a944-a6b953190af5

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To share a folder with someone in Outlook, you'll first need to share your entire Outlook mailbox with read permissions, which grants that user permission to view your inbox and its containing folders. After your mailbox is shared, you can share specific subfolders with any permissions you want. Right-click your mailbox name and select Permissions or Folder Permissions , and then add the user with the desired permissions. Once granted, right-click the folder you want to share and grant that same user any permissions you want. The user can then add the shared folder to their own Outlook app.

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