In Outlook you can “recall” an email you sent, as long as the recipient works in the same organisation and hasn’t opened it yet. But the time it takes to get to the feature might mean you’re too late.
As mentioned in tip 625 you can press ALT + Q and type recall and press ENTER, but why not stick the button on your Quick Access Toolbar?
Here’s how:
1. Open any of the email messages you sent.
2. On the Message tab, in the Move group, click the Actions button.
3. Right-click Recall This Message.
4. Select Add to Quick Access Toolbar.
[[{"fid":"296379","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"roem screen message 1","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"roem screen message 1"},"link_text":false,"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"default","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"roem screen message 1","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"roem screen message 1"}},"attributes":{"alt":"roem screen message 1","title":"roem screen message 1","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"1"}}]]
Next time you want to recall your email, double-click it from the Sent Items folder (it doesn’t work from the reading pane) and click the Recall button on your Quick Access Toolbar. If you want, you can delete the unread copy and replace it with a new one, but if I were I were you I would click OK as quickly as possible. Remember, the longer you wait the more likely it is the recipient has read the message – in which case you can no longer recall!
[[{"fid":"296380","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"roem message screen 2","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"roem message screen 2"},"link_text":false,"type":"media","field_deltas":{"2":{"format":"default","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"roem message screen 2","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"roem message screen 2"}},"attributes":{"alt":"roem message screen 2","title":"roem message screen 2","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"2"}}]]
Apparently this doesn’t work in Outlook on the web and it might also be that the feature isn’t available within your organisation. And I know from experience it doesn’t always work, even if someone is in the same organisation and hasn’t read the message. But I’d say it’s worth a shot!
With thanks to Frances for this week’s tip inspiration. Actually, it’s the second time she gets a mention.
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This tip is written for Microsoft 365 desktop apps and Windows 10 users, but might also be useful in Office 2010, 2013 and 2016. I meticulously test every tip I write to make sure it is correct, easy to understand and time-saving. Let me know if something isn't clear or doesn't work.
22 November 2021
Karen Roem offers software training and support through her company Roem Ltd. Contact her by email (Karen@roem.co.uk) or visit her website at www.roem.co.uk