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How to Add Emojis in Outlook Email

Want to spice up your messages? Here’s how to add emojis to emails in Outlook easily. From keyboard shortcuts to emoji panels, we guide you step-by-step to make your Outlook emails more expressive, fun, and professional without any hassle.

July 10, 2025

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Introduction

Let’s face it—emails can be kinda boring sometimes. But you know what can bring them to life? Emojis! πŸŽ‰ If you've ever wondered how to add emojis in Outlook email, you're in the right place. This guide breaks it down step by step so you can add a little personality to your messages—whether you're emailing a friend or your team at work.

Why Emojis Matter in Emails?

Why?

Benefits of Using Emojis in Emails

Adding emojis to your emails isn’t just about making things "cute". They actually help communicate tone, show emotion, and even boost engagement. Ever heard that saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words"? Well, an emoji might be worth just as much in the right email.

For example, a simple πŸ™‚ can turn a cold-sounding message into a warm one.

When to Use Emojis and When Not To

But timing is everything. Use emojis sparingly in professional settings—too many and you might seem unprofessional. For casual conversations, go wild! Just make sure the recipient gets your tone, and it doesn't come off the wrong way.

[4 Ways] How to Add Emojis in Outlook Email

Outlook offers several ways to pop emojis into your emails. Let’s dive into the most popular ones.

Method 1: Use the Emoji Keyboard Shortcut (Windows & Mac)

Here is the first method to add emoji on Outlook, follow the steps given below:

For Windows Users

Step 1. Click where you want the emoji in your email.

Step 2. Press Windows Key + Period (.) or Windows Key + Semicolon (;).

Step 3. The emoji panel pops up. Just click on the emoji you want!

Add Emojis via Keyboard Shortcuts

For Mac Users

Step 1. Position the cursor in your email body.

Step 2. Press Control + Command + Spacebar.

Step 3. A mini emoji window appears. Browse and click your favorite emoji.

Method 2: Use the Emoji Button in Outlook Web (Outlook.com & Office 365)

Step 1. Compose a new message.

Step 2. In the formatting toolbar, click the smiley face icon 😊.

Use the Emoji Button in Outlook Web

Step 3. Browse or search for an emoji.

Step 4. Click it and it’ll appear in your message.

So simple, right?

Method 3: Copy and Paste Emojis

Sometimes the easiest way is good old copy and paste.

Step 1. Go to a site like emojipedia.org.

Step 2. Find your emoji, copy it, and paste it into your email.

Copy Emoji from Emojipedia

Works like a charm!

Method 4: Use Outlook Add-ins or Emoji Extensions

You can also install Outlook add-ins like:

  • Emoji Keyboard by EmojiOne
  • MyEmojis

These give you one-click access to emoji libraries right from within Outlook. Just head over to the Microsoft AppSource store, search for "emoji", and install your favorite.

Emoji Compatibility in Outlook Versions

Outlook 2016/2019/2021 vs Microsoft 365

If you’re using Microsoft 365, you’ll enjoy full emoji support. However, older versions like Outlook 2013 or even 2016 may not render emojis as well. Instead of the colorful emoji, you might just see black-and-white versions or simple symbols.

Emoji Appearance Across Devices

Keep in mind: An emoji you see on Windows might look totally different on a Mac or phone. 😬 A grinning face on one platform might be slightly creepy on another. Always double-check how your message looks if the appearance matters.

Tips for Using Emojis Professionally

Do’s and Don’ts in a Business Context

Do:

  • Use emojis to clarify tone ("Thanks for your help 😊").
  • Stick with universally understood emojis.
  • Keep it minimal—1 or 2 per message.

Don’t:

  • Use emojis in formal emails (e.g., to a client or upper management).
  • Overdo it with hearts, fire, or laughing faces.
  • Use slang-based or trendy emojis some might not understand.

Avoiding Miscommunication with Emojis

Emojis can mean different things to different people. πŸ˜… might mean "awkward" to one person and "nervous laughter" to another. If you're unsure, skip it or stick with safe ones like βœ… or πŸ“….

Common Emoji Shortcodes You Should Know

Outlook doesn't officially support emoji shortcodes like :smile:, but some platforms do. Still, here are a few popular ones:

Emoji Name Shortcut (Copy-Paste Friendly)
πŸ˜€ Grinning Face πŸ˜€
πŸ‘ Thumbs Up πŸ‘
πŸš€ Rocket πŸš€
πŸ™ Folded Hands πŸ™
πŸŽ‰ Party Popper πŸŽ‰

You can create your own "cheat sheet" by saving commonly used emojis in a Word or Notepad file for quick access.

Troubleshooting Emoji Issues in Outlook

Emojis Not Showing? Here's What to Do

If emojis aren’t displaying:

  • Make sure you're using a modern version of Outlook.
  • Switch to a font that supports emojis, like Segoe UI Emoji.
  • Avoid using older Windows versions—they may not render emojis properly.

Outlook Email Appears as Symbols? Fix It

If your email shows emoji as weird boxes or question marks:

Step 1. Try changing the encoding: Go to File > Options > Advanced > International Options.

Step 2. Use Unicode (UTF-8) as your default encoding.

Changing the Encoding

Conclusion

Adding emojis to Outlook emails is an easy way to make your messages feel more human. Whether you're expressing gratitude πŸ™, celebrating a win πŸŽ‰, or just saying hello πŸ‘‹, the right emoji can enhance your message and tone. Just remember—use them wisely, professionally, and purposefully. Now go ahead and brighten up that inbox!

Bonus Tip: Easy Way to Migrate Outlook Emails to Cloud Accounts

Looking for a hassle-free solution to move your Outlook emails to cloud storage? MultCloud offers an easy and efficient way to migrate Outlook emails to popular cloud accounts like Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and more. With its intuitive interface and powerful automation features, MultCloud simplifies the entire migration process—no downloads or complex setups required. Whether you're backing up important messages or transferring data for better accessibility, MultCloud ensures a seamless, secure, and time-saving experience.

Quickly transfer, sync or backup files from one cloud to another.

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