Emojis are today, a vital part of modern communication. They add personality and clarity to your emails, which is always great. Whether you want to add a 😀 to lighten your message, a 👍 for quick approval, Outlook offers simple ways to insert emojis across platforms. This also includes subject lines. If you’re new to it, we’ll explain how to add emojis in Outlook email, how to add emojis in Outlook on Mac, and even how to add emojis in the Outlook subject line with zero reliance on add-ins. Read on to find the process.
How to Add Emojis in Outlook Email on Windows Desktop & Web
If you’re using Outlook on Windows or the web version, which is Outlook.com, you can insert emojis directly into your email body. Either use the in-built emoji picker or the web toolbar in the app to add them.
Method 1: Built-in Emoji Picker (Windows Shortcut)
- Place your cursor where you want the emoji.
- Press Windows Key + . (period) or Windows Key + ; (semicolon).
- The emoji panel will appear. Search or scroll to choose your emoji.
- Click the emoji to insert it.
Method 2: Outlook Web Toolbar
- In Outlook Web, compose a new email.
- Click the smiley face icon on the formatting toolbar.
- Choose your emoji and it will appear in your email.
How to Add Emojis in Outlook Mobile App?
You can add different kinds of emojis in the Outlook mobile application.
- Tap on the smiley face symbol on your phone’s keyboard.
- A panel with different emoji categories will show.
- You can swipe through the categories or use the search box to find a desired symbol.
- Tap on your chosen emoji to put it into your email.
How to Add Emojis in Outlook on Mac
Outlook for Mac supports emojis using the macOS emoji keyboard. Use the emoji picker by unlocking it via simple keyboard commands.
- Open a new email in Outlook for Mac.
- Place your cursor in the email body.
- Press Control + Command + Spacebar to open the emoji picker.
- Double-click an emoji to insert it.
How to Add Emojis in Outlook Subject Line?
Outlook supports emojis in subject lines too, and it can make your emails stand out in the inbox. In the subject line field, position your cursor where you want the emoji.
Use the Windows Key + . (on Windows) or Control + Command + Spacebar (on Mac) to open the emoji picker. Select the emoji and it’ll appear in the subject line.
Versions of Outlook That Don’t Support Emojis
Older versions, such as Outlook 2016 and earlier, have limited or absent emoji support. For example, Office 365 Outlook 2016 does not have native emoji support. Unless you use add-ins, emojis may not display correctly.
Newer versions of Outlook, particularly those integrated with Windows 10 and 11, allow inserting emojis using the Windows Emoji panel (Win + . or Win + 😉 across classic, new, and web versions of Outlook.
Outlook for Microsoft 365 and newer builds, supports two types of emojis: ones inserted through the Windows Emoji picker and those via an add-in emoji pane. The latter is not built-in and must be separately installed.
Widely Used Emoji Shortcodes in Outlook
There are many common emotions and symbols quickly usable in Outlook’s desktop client.
| Emoji Shortcode | Emoji Example | Description |
| 🙂 or 🙂 | 😊 | Smiley face |
| 🙁 or 🙁 | ☹️ | Sad face |
| 😉 or 😉 | 😉 | Winking face |
| 😀 or 😀 | 😃 | Laughing face |
| 😛 or 😛 | 😝 | Silly face |
| :O or :-O | 😮 | Surprised face |
| <3 | ❤️ | Heart |
Concluding Words
Adding emojis in Outlook, in email body, subject line, or on Mac, needs just a few commands. The right emoji can make your emails more engaging, expressive, and even memorable. However, don’t overdo them to maintain professionalism.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I insert emojis in Outlook?
Use the built-in emoji picker via this command:
Windows: Windows Key + . or Windows Key + ;
On Mac, hit Control + Command + Spacebar
2. How to do a 😂 in an email?
Open the emoji picker (using the shortcut above), search “face with tears of joy,” and click 😂 to insert.
2. What is the keyboard shortcut for Emojis?
Windows: Windows Key + . Mac: Control + Command + Spacebar
4. How do I get my emojis to show up in Outlook?
Ensure your email format is set to HTML (not plain text). Go to Format Text > HTML. Plain text will not display emojis.