Creating an Outlook Email Contact Group from an Email Message

Explains how to create an Outlook contact group by copying recipients from an email and pasting them into a new contact group on Windows or Mac (not supported in Outlook on the web).

Overview

This article explains how to create a new contact group, or distribution list, in Microsoft Outlook by copying and pasting member names from an email message.

How-To

Create an Outlook email contact group by following the instructions below based on what device you're using.

Using Outlook on a PC

1. Open an email that was sent to the people you want to include in the contact group. In the To or Cc box, highlight all the names with your mouse (Fig 1).
2. Right-click your selection and then click Copy, or press Ctrl+C.
3. In Outlook, click People (depending on what version of Outlook it may be in the bottom right or top of the screen)
4. Click Home > New Contact Group
5. Name your contact group.
6. Click Add Members > From Outlook Contacts.
7. In the window that opens, right-click inside the Members box, and click Paste, or press Ctrl+V.
8. Click OK. The people from the email will appear as a list of members for your contact group.
9. Click Save & Close.

Using Outlook on a Mac

1. Open an email that was sent to the people you want to include in the contact group. In the To or Cc box, highlight all the names.
2. Control-click your selection and then click Copy, or press Command+C.
3. In Outlook (not in the opened email message), click People
4. Click Home > New Contact Group
5. Name your contact group.
6. Click Add Members > From Outlook Contacts.
7. In the window that opens, Control-click inside the Members box, and click Paste, or press Command+V.
8. Click OK. The people from the email will appear as a list of members for your contact group.
9. Click Save & Close.

Using Outlook on the Web

This Copy/Paste method for creating a new contact group from an old email message does not work in the Web version of Outlook. If you use the Web to access your email exclusively, you can either install the Outlook software and follow the steps above or contact the IT Solutions Center at 507-389-6654 for assistance.

Still Need Help?

Visit the IT Solutions Center page to view current hours, locations, and contact information.