Combine IMAP Inboxes in Outlook

Hi,

I'm wondering if there is a way to combine outlook inboxes for multiple IMAP accounts. I know that when you use POP3 they all come in one box, but as soon as I switched to IMAP, I have to click on each account inbox separately.

Thanks!

Mithrandir

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Hi Mithrandir,

it's not possible to combine the inboxes for IMAP accounts as the Change Folder-button doesn't exist for IMAP accounts. You also cannot select an existing data file when setting up an IMAP account like you can do for POP3 accounts.

~Mrs. Richardson

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For IMAP accounts, the servers control what you see.  Since each server can have a distinct set of folders, Outlook must present a separate set for each server.  That's the way IMAP works.
Brian

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With pop they don't come into one inbox unless you have configured the pop accounts to use the same data file

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While you can't combine them for the reason Brian mentioned, you can do two things: add the Inboxes to the Favorites list in the mail pane so you can quickly switch folders and use Instant Search to find new mail. I have a macro that automates the instant search query for you in one click, giving you a universal inbox view
Diane Poremsky [Outlook MVP]
Outlook Resources: https://www.slipstick.com
https://www.outlook-tips.net


** I don't work for Microsoft, I just volunteer here.**

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I also have favourite links to the two Sent Items folders, and I often drag Sent messages from one folder into the other so that they are all together.  It's much easier to search that way.

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While you can't combine them for the reason Brian mentioned, you can do two things: add the Inboxes to the Favorites list in the mail pane so you can quickly switch folders and use Instant Search to find new mail. I have a macro that automates the instant search query for you in one click, giving you a universal inbox view

Thanks. I'll look into that and let you know how it goes.

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Setup an Outlook rule on each account to copy/move incoming emails to a central Inbox - worked for me:

https://www.getmailbird.com/setup-unified-inbox-outlook/ 

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Well, Outlook could still show a unified Inbox even if it kept them separate under the hood.

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it would need to be added as a new feature - you can vote for it and add comments here - https://outlook.uservoice.com/forums/322590-outlook-2016-for-windows/suggestions/16756288-one-inbox-for-multiple-imap-accounts-in-outlook-20 
Diane Poremsky [Outlook MVP]
Outlook Resources: https://www.slipstick.com
https://www.outlook-tips.net


** I don't work for Microsoft, I just volunteer here.**

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Setup an Outlook rule on each account to copy/move incoming emails to a central Inbox -

You really don't want to move imap mail into a pst - if you copy, you end up with duplicates; if you move, it deletes from the server - you'd be better served by removing the imap account and using pop3. 

it's better to use instant search to create the unified inbox. you can do this with simple search terms: folder:Inbox received: (this week)  or you can use a macro to automate it. 

https://www.slipstick.com/how-to-outlook/how-to-create-a-unified-inbox/

Diane Poremsky [Outlook MVP]
Outlook Resources: https://www.slipstick.com
https://www.outlook-tips.net


** I don't work for Microsoft, I just volunteer here.**

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Last updated March 5, 2021 Views 21,995 Applies to: