How to Send an Emoji in Outlook: A Comprehensive Guide

Sending emojis in Outlook is straightforward, adding a dash of personality to your emails. You can easily insert emojis using the built-in emoji picker, keyboard shortcuts, or by copying and pasting them. The method varies slightly depending on the version of Outlook you’re using, but the core principle remains the same: access the emoji library and insert your desired emoji into your email body.

Emoji Insertion Methods in Outlook

Outlook offers several ways to inject those little bursts of emotion into your messages. Let’s dissect the most common methods:

Using the Built-In Emoji Picker

This is the most user-friendly method, readily available across most versions of Outlook.

1. Compose your email: Start writing your email in Outlook as you normally would.
2. Position your cursor: Place the cursor where you want to insert the emoji within the email body.
3. Access the emoji picker:
   • Windows: Press the Windows key + . (period) or Windows key + ; (semicolon). This will summon the Windows emoji panel.
   • Mac: Press Control + Command + Spacebar. This will bring up the Mac Character Viewer, which includes emojis.
4. Select your emoji: Browse through the categories or use the search bar to find the perfect emoji. Click on the emoji to insert it into your email.

Utilizing Keyboard Shortcuts

For speed demons and keyboard enthusiasts, shortcuts offer the fastest route to emoji insertion. However, keep in mind that this method primarily relies on your operating system’s built-in emoji support.

1. Compose your email: As before, begin drafting your email.
2. Employ the shortcut: Use the same shortcuts mentioned above for the built-in emoji picker:
   • Windows: Windows key + . (period) or Windows key + ; (semicolon).
   • Mac: Control + Command + Spacebar.
3. Type to search: Start typing the name of the emoji you want (e.g., “smile,” “heart,” “thumbs up”). The emoji panel will filter results accordingly.
4. Select and insert: Choose the emoji and hit Enter or click on it to insert it.

Copying and Pasting Emojis

This is a universal method that works across all platforms and applications. Find the emoji you want from any source (emoji websites, other applications, etc.) and simply copy and paste it into your Outlook email.

1. Locate the emoji: Find the desired emoji on a website like Emojipedia or in another application where emojis are available.
2. Copy the emoji: Select the emoji and press Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command+C (Mac) to copy it to your clipboard.
3. Paste the emoji: In your Outlook email, position the cursor where you want the emoji and press Ctrl+V (Windows) or Command+V (Mac) to paste it.

Outlook for Web (Browser Version)

Outlook for Web usually has a dedicated emoji button within the email composition window.

1. Compose a new email: Open a new email draft.
2. Locate the Emoji button: Look for an emoji icon (often a smiley face) within the formatting toolbar at the bottom of the email composition window.
3. Click the button: Clicking the emoji icon will open the emoji picker.
4. Select your emoji: Browse and click on the desired emoji to insert it into your email.

Considerations and Best Practices

• Emoji compatibility: Emojis might appear differently depending on the recipient’s email client and operating system. Some older systems may not display emojis correctly, showing them as boxes or question marks. Test with different platforms if visual accuracy is crucial.
• Professionalism: While emojis can add personality, use them judiciously in professional communications. Consider your audience and the context of the message. Overuse can appear unprofessional.
• Emoji Size: Pasted emojis might sometimes appear larger or smaller than the text. You can adjust the font size after pasting to achieve a more visually harmonious appearance.
• Accessibility: Keep accessibility in mind. Emojis are primarily visual. While some email clients might provide text descriptions for emojis for screen readers, it’s best not to rely solely on emojis to convey critical information.
• Testing: Always send a test email to yourself before sending it to others, especially when using new or uncommon emojis. This ensures the emojis display correctly on your device.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why are my emojis appearing as boxes or question marks in Outlook?

This usually indicates an issue with emoji compatibility. The recipient’s email client or operating system might not support the specific emoji you used. Older systems are more prone to this problem. Try using more common emojis to improve compatibility.

2. Can I customize the size of emojis in Outlook?

Yes, you can adjust the size of pasted emojis by changing the font size after pasting them into your email. Select the emoji and modify the font size in the formatting toolbar.

3. How do I access the emoji picker in Outlook on a Mac?

Press Control + Command + Spacebar to bring up the Mac Character Viewer, which includes emojis.

4. Is there a search function in the Outlook emoji picker?

Yes, most emoji pickers, including the Windows emoji panel and the Mac Character Viewer, have a search bar. Type the name of the emoji you’re looking for (e.g., “laughing,” “sad,” “celebrate”) to filter the results.

5. Do emojis work in Outlook signatures?

Yes, you can add emojis to your Outlook signature. Use any of the methods described above (emoji picker, keyboard shortcut, or copy and paste) to insert the emoji into your signature settings. Be mindful of professionalism when using emojis in signatures.

6. Can I use animated emojis (GIFs) in Outlook?

Yes, Outlook supports GIFs. You can insert a GIF image the same way you’d insert any other image into your email. Many websites offer free GIF animations. Remember that large GIFs can increase email size.

7. How do I remove an emoji from an Outlook email?

Simply select the emoji and press the Delete or Backspace key on your keyboard.

8. Are there different skin tone options for emojis in Outlook?

Yes, many emojis support skin tone modifiers. Long-press or right-click on an emoji to reveal different skin tone options. However, the availability of this feature depends on your operating system and Outlook version.

9. Can I create my own custom emojis for use in Outlook?

No, Outlook doesn’t natively support creating custom emojis. However, you could create a custom image and insert it into your email as an image, but it wouldn’t function as a standard emoji.

10. Why are some emojis displaying in black and white instead of color in Outlook?

This is usually due to compatibility issues with older operating systems or email clients. These systems might only support monochrome versions of certain emojis.

11. Does Outlook automatically convert text emoticons (like “:)”) into emojis?

Yes, Outlook has an auto-correction feature that can convert some basic text emoticons into their corresponding emojis. This feature is usually enabled by default, but you can adjust it in your Outlook settings. Go to File > Options > Mail > Spelling and Autocorrect > Autocorrect Options.

12. Does inserting too many emojis affect the deliverability of my email?

While unlikely to directly cause deliverability issues like being marked as spam, excessive use of emojis can negatively impact your email’s perceived professionalism and credibility. This, in turn, could indirectly influence how recipients interact with your email and their perception of the sender. Use emojis sparingly and appropriately.