You can insert emojis in Outlook on Windows, Mac, and the web version, using the built-in emoji picker or your keyboard

Outlook has a dedicated emoji tool in all its versions. On Windows and Mac, you'll find it in the Insert menu. On Outlook.com (the web version), it's in the formatting toolbar. The steps differ slightly depending on which version you use, but the emoji picker works the same way once it opens — you search by name, browse by category, or scroll through the full list.

Emojis work in the message body and in the subject line. They send as actual emoji characters, so they'll display correctly on any device the recipient uses, whether they're on a phone, computer, or tablet.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows Outlook users can insert emojis by clicking Insert, then selecting the emoji icon (smiley face) in the ribbon.
  • Mac Outlook users go to Insert > Emoji to open the emoji picker.
  • Outlook.com users click the smiley face icon in the formatting toolbar above the message body.
  • You can search emojis by typing a word (like "heart" or "thumbs"), browse by category, or scroll through all available emojis.
  • Emojis work in both the subject line and message body and display correctly on all devices.

Adding emojis in Outlook on Windows

Open your email and click in the message body where you want the emoji to appear. Click the Insert tab at the top of the window. In the ribbon, look for the smiley face icon — it's usually near the right side of the Insert tab. Click it to open the emoji picker.

The emoji picker shows a grid of emojis organized by category. You can click the category tabs at the bottom (like "Smileys", "Nature", "Food", or "Activities") to jump to a specific type. You can also type a word in the search box at the top — for example, typing "heart" will show all heart-related emojis. Click any emoji to insert it into your message.

Adding emojis in Outlook on Mac

Click in your message where you want the emoji. Click the Insert menu at the top of the screen, then select Emoji from the dropdown. The emoji picker will open as a floating window.

Search by typing a word in the search field, or click the category icons at the bottom to browse by type. The categories include Smileys, Nature, Food, Travel, Activities, Objects, and Symbols. Click any emoji to add it to your message. You can keep the picker open and add multiple emojis without closing it.

Adding emojis in Outlook.com

Click in the message body to position your cursor. Look at the formatting toolbar above the text box — you'll see a smiley face icon. Click it to open the emoji picker.

The picker works the same way as the desktop versions: search by typing a word, or click the category tabs to browse. Click any emoji to insert it. If you don't see the emoji picker icon, make sure you're in the compose window (not just the preview), and that your browser is up to date.

Using keyboard shortcuts for emojis on Windows

Windows 10 and later have a built-in emoji keyboard. While composing an email in Outlook, press Windows key + . (period) or Windows key + ; (semicolon) to open the emoji picker. This works in Outlook desktop and also in Outlook.com if you're using a Windows computer.

The Windows emoji keyboard shows the same categories and search function as the Outlook emoji picker. This is faster if you use emojis frequently, since you don't have to navigate to the Insert menu.

Using Mac keyboard shortcuts for emojis

On Mac, press Control + Command + Space to open the emoji picker from anywhere on your computer, including Outlook. This works in Outlook desktop and in Outlook.com on Safari or other browsers.

The Mac emoji picker is the same one you use system-wide. You can search by typing, browse by category, or scroll through all emojis. Click to insert into your Outlook message.

Troubleshooting emoji problems

If emojis appear as boxes or question marks when you send them, the issue is usually on the recipient's end — their device or email client doesn't support emoji display. This is rare with modern devices, but it can happen with very old phones or outdated email programs. The emoji was sent correctly; it just didn't render on their screen.

If the emoji picker won't open in Outlook desktop, make sure you're using a recent version. Go to File > Account and click Update Options to check for updates. If you're using Outlook.com and the emoji icon doesn't appear, try a different browser or clear your browser cache. If the Windows emoji keyboard shortcut doesn't work, confirm you're on Windows 10 or later by checking Settings > System > About.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use emojis in the subject line?

Yes. Click in the subject field, then use the same method to insert an emoji — either the Insert menu, the emoji keyboard shortcut, or the toolbar icon in Outlook.com. Emojis in subject lines display correctly on most modern email clients, though some older systems may show them as boxes.

Will the recipient see the same emoji I see?

Almost always yes. Emojis are sent as Unicode characters, so they display on any device. The exact appearance might vary slightly — a smiley face on an iPhone looks slightly different from one on Android — but the recipient will see an emoji, not a box or error.

Can I copy and paste emojis instead of using the picker?

Yes. You can copy an emoji from anywhere online or from another app and paste it directly into your Outlook message. This works in all versions of Outlook. However, using the built-in emoji picker is usually faster if you're already composing an email.

Do emojis work in Outlook signatures?

Yes. You can add emojis to your email signature the same way you add them to a message. Go to File > Options > Mail > Signatures on Windows, or Outlook > Preferences > Signatures on Mac, then edit your signature and insert emojis using the Insert menu or keyboard shortcut.

What if I'm using an older version of Outlook?

Older versions of Outlook (before 2016 on Windows or 2016 on Mac) may not have the emoji picker built in. You can still add emojis by copying and pasting them from a website like emojipedia.org, or by using your system's emoji keyboard shortcut if your operating system supports it.